Flow Question

[spectrascott]

Ok was at my LFS today and they have a small Mantis in there around an 1 1/2 lomg. Can not really tell what it is but figured hell might have to buy it. My question is what do you do for flow in a smaller tank? I havea real small 5 gallon tank from my sons beta adventure and am wanting to turn it into a temporary mantis home. Tank is a small bowfront with a real nice soft light. I have a real nice acrylic tank but am waiting on a few remodel projects before it is set up. So anyway please let me know what you think would work for filtration and flow in this thing. I can also just do weekly water changes as I do that with my sons small tank in his room.

Thanks! Scott

 

[spectrascott]

Well people looked but no replys Well ended up getting the little mantis and all is well. Ended up retro fitting the canopy with a small fuge light and also a set of moon lights. Can not ID the mantis as it is real small and as for colors it is really dark in color. It has already found a nice little hole in some live rock to make its home.


So now I have another question hopefully someone will answer
:eek2: This mantis is small and have heard it try to open up a few small hermits but do not think it can. I have seen them in its hole then next they are crawling around the sandbed. So what type of stuff do you feed them? I have read soaking food in a solution so what is it? Anyway if you can help me out please post up.

Thanks! Scott

 

[sunce_22]

I have a very small mantis as well. I feed it frozen mysis (thawed out of course) soaked in selcon. Suck it into a small eye dropper and slowly release it right near the mantis's burrow. (I make sure that I turn off the flow so that any pieces the mantis misses, I can simply remove.

Sorry no one is really answering your questions, hope that helps.

 

[spectrascott]

Thanks will try that tonight. Where can you get the Selcon?

 

[sunce_22]

I live in Canada, so Im not really sure about what stores in the states sell it. Um I would suggest calling your LFS and asking them if they carry it. If you can't find anyone then try J&L aquatics in canada. They have a great website and they ship dry goods to the states!

 

[DanInSD]

As for the flow question, just use a small powerhead.

Dan

 

[TrappedMetal]

a cheaper version is to buy one of the little internal power filters and just use the powerhead from it.

 

[spectrascott]

I am just running a HOB filter that is rated for a 10 gallon tank. Flow seems to be good and Mantis is happy I think Do not see it alot but do here it wacking away at snails in its hole. I am not sure but I do not think it can break the shells yet as I watch it stack hermits and snails around its door and they are always still alive. It does eat mysis shrimp so am going to see if it will take a small pc of krill.

 

[DanInSD]

You can try nerite snails -- they have thin shells.

Dan