Does anyone have a mantis in open top tank?

[Bud's Reef]

I have Marty (G. Smithii) in a 12G Eclipse and I want to get rid of the crappy hood that comes with it. I have a 20" Orbit for lighting and a HOB filter. I was thinking about putting just egg crate on top but wasn't sure if I would have to worry about Marty crawling or leaping out of the tank. I know he's small enough to fit through the egg crate openings. Any ideas?

 

[Gonodactylus]

G. smithii can only jump a couple of inches, but they are one of the few stomatopods that routinely crawl out of the water. We often find them during low tide crawling from tide pool to tide pool. In aquaria, I have had them crawl out of the water and over partitions, but to do this they need a rough surface that they can hold on to.

Roy

 

[Bud's Reef]

Thanks Dr. Roy for the quick response. I'll head for Home Depot now to get some plexiglass to cut for the top.

 

[Gonodactylus]

If you want to have an open top to increase light and reduce heat (a possible problem if you seal the top), you might consider a plexiglass lid with the center cut out.

Roy

 

[Bud's Reef]

I just got back from Home Depot with a sheet of plexiglass. I was thinking about drilling 3/8" holes all over it for the heat issue. I think I'll get plenty of light especially since the hood has just a 13W pc now and I'm getting rid of it and putting a 20" Orbit with a total of 80W on the tank.

Marty has been in his rock for 4 days now so even though it is relatively soon since his last molt I'm thinking he's molting again now, so I'm going to wait till he gets done before I make the changes. If it was just the lights I'd go ahead but since its the pump too which will change the flow over his rock I'm going to wait till he comes back out.

 

[G.SMITHII]

this is my smithii tank, w/ an open top.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1164817

 

[Bud's Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10357783#post10357783 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by G.SMITHII
this is my smithii tank, w/ an open top.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1164817

Cool, do you have any that shows the whole tank?

 

[G.SMITHII]

the best i can do right now, im limited to a .5megapixel camera phone

 

[Princess Di]

My 4" smithii is in a 10 gallon glass tank with no top. I keep the water level down about 2" and he occasionally will climb up the side and stick his head out, but has never tried to get to the edge of the tank. Maybe I've just been lucky.

 

[yankeereefer]

My smithii's in an open top 5g - My wenn's 5g has a DIY canopy over an open top too

 

[Bud's Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10358234#post10358234 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by G.SMITHII

the best i can do right now, im limited to a .5megapixel camera phone

Thanks, but I was hoping for a shot of the top and the light set up you have.