Everyone opinion please...

sacs4010

New member
This is the setup that I am going to make for a Clown Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus). Please tell me what you think and give me any suggestions.

15 Gallon All-Glass Aquarium
Cover the back of tank with Black
All-Glass Versa-Top
24ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ Lunar Aqualight Fixture Plus LED Lights
Aqualight Mounting Kit (set of 4 legs)
Red Sea Prizm Deluxe Skimmer
Hagen AquaClear 110 (500) Power Filter
Via Aqua Titanium Heater 100 Watt
Hagen Stainless Thermometer w/hanger
Glass Only Mag Float Small
40 Pounds of Arag-Alive Indo-Pacific Black Sand
30 Pounds of Lalo Live Rock (Scleractinia pcs.)

Some things I may change like the power filter may not fit and of course I may want to break up my live rock. So what do you all think?

Bradley C Sacs
sacs4010
 
You are going to have 70 pounds of live rock in a 15 gallon aquarium? Where are you putting the water?

No, but really, I think you're going a bit overboard for a Mantis Shrimp. They are hardy creatures and very easy to maintain. I don't think you need half of the equipment you've got.

I have 3 mantis shrimp now, one of which is living alone in a 10 gallong with about 10 pounds of live rock and 3-4 inches of aragonite substrate. He has an Aquaclear and that's it. No sump, no heater, no fancy lights (basic fluourescent).

What he WILL DEFINITELY want are LOTS of juicy little crabs, snails, etc .... as they love to hunt, kill, and eat.

Have fun man!

JJ.
 
I agree...

I agree...

Dammit! I wrote this whole big thing, but I lost it all because my image was too big. Oh well. I know it is over kill. As for the live rock, I am not going to put all the rock in the mantis tank, some of it will go into another new tank I am doing. As for the sand, I want a thick sandbed for the shrimp and to get good critters for him to eat. The lighting has lunar lights and I am hoping to get to see it at night and I like to keep things as natural as possible. The skimmer I do not need, but what the hell. I like overkill, because it will leave me with less work and better chances of success. Not in all cases of course. So what do you guys think? Thanks for the help.

Bradley C Sacs
sacs4010
 
Wait...

Wait...

No heater? What happens in the winter? Do you think the tank size will be big enough? I can only do a 24 inch long tank (I have a particular spot in mind)?

Bradley C Sacs
sacs4010
 
You think...

You think...

You think I should get a TBS package and just hope I get a mantis shrimp? How is TBS like rock and their packages?

Bradley C Sacs
sacs4010
 
Just hope to get a mantis shrimp? No, that probably wont work --now if you didn't actually want one then it might just work (Murphy's Law).

A store right around the corner from me is selling a very large Peacock Mantis (Onodactylus Scylarrus sp?) for $15 (that's Canadian dollars).

I might actually drop in and buy it today, but I already have two of this variety ....

Anyway, if you look around you'll find one you can buy (phone around is better!) ...

Good luck man!

JJ.

P.S. - Re: heater: I live in British Columbia (Canada) so I don't really have to worry about the winter. Also, I keep my tanks at work on my desk --which has pretty decent climate control so room temperature seems to be pefect (there are quite a few reefers in my office many of whome are keeping anemonies and other soft corals).

I just happen to have an affinity for Mantis Shrimp.
 
I know...

I know...

I know I could find a mantis shrimp either from my LPS, ordering one, or finding one here. I just figured since I need live rock anyways, maybe I can kill two birds with one stone. I think I may downsize my lighting, go with a single striplight and then get a single luner LED. That way if the lunar does not work, then I will put it on my SPS tank I have now.

Bradley C Sacs
sacs4010
 
Manits are extremly hardy, and used to water getting down to 60-65F in the winter so unless ur keeping corals with it, which it sounds like u are, i would go wit a chepo depot hangon 100w heater, hide it closly behind rocks or put a peice of plasticwith holes punced in it (cut out a peice of milk jugand go nuts- thats what i use)
 
Hi all,

I'm in agreement with all the others, you don't need a lot of equipment for your mantis. My mantis is in a 10 gal, with a Mini Aqua Clear Power Filter, heater, 10 lbs of live rock, 3 in sandbed, and 20W PC. The PC are for my mushrooms in the tank.

Their are pretty hard invert. I used GreenEX to get rid of my red flatworm problem in his tank and he seems fine.

Johnny, the name we've given him is always hiding. I think, he's still angry at me for pulling him out of his live rock. I ordered 30 lbs of live rock from Flordialiverock.com and spotted him when I had the rocks in my QT tank. I freshwater dip his rock for over a few minutes (hardy creature) and he would not come out. I pull the rock out and noticed that he was halfway out of his hole (not moving), I grab my forceps and pulled him out. Man, was he angry. He was hitting the forceps with his smasher. Thanks goodness, I decided to use the forceps instead of my hand...lol. Anyway, I got lucking in getting him in my live rock shipment. Good luck.
 
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