Glass vs. Acrylic

[Fretfreak13]

Hey guys,

I have the option to get either a 3 gallon glass, or a 3 gallon acrylic tank for my upcoming mantis build. I really don't like the look of PVC pipe and would much rather give my future critter a ridiculous amount of LR rubble and sand to work with instead. With that being said, should I go with the acrylic? Aesthetically I really like the glass tank better, but is cracking glass really a huge risk? I know they generally only do it when digging and they hit the bottom of the tank and try to break it up thinking its a rock or something. Would it be okay to just set a piece of acrylic on the bottom underneath the sand?

This is going to be a macro-dominate tank, so if the acrylic/eggcrate on the bottom could cause nitrates, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Hopefully the macro would take care of it.

Also, I don't know what species of mantis I'll be getting, but it'll probably be a n. wennerae. I plan on rescuing one from my LFSs LR shipments rather than ordering one from somewhere.

 

[DerekFF]

Id just put acrylic on the bottom of the tank.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[MantisO_o]

You honestly don't need any acrylic sheet underneath. You can if you want but if your getting a N. wennerae a 3 gallon glass tank you will be fine. Trust me. Post pictures when you set it up and all. Would love to see it!

 

[Fretfreak13]

Thanks for the reassurance guys. I might do the acrylic sheet anyways just because I have some lying around. Expect me to start a tank thread in a few weeks when I get other expenses all squared away.

I used to have a chigara in a glass 10g tank without any precautions, but he had a PVC burrow. I'm just worried about him digging to the bottom... lol

 

[TundraGuy]

The digging thing is more a worry with the heavy hitters and with a 3 gallon nothing you’ll add to it that would live in there would fit this description. I like the Nuvo tanks they have a 4 gallon tank and if you check them out the bottom glass is the thickest I have seen on a nano. But if you already got your tank don’t keep us in suspense lets see some pix.

 

[Fretfreak13]

I don't have it yet, but I am a dedicated Micro-Reefer. At the moment, all of my tanks are coming from mike.

Here's a teaser, back left corner. This tank will also have an Aquaclear 20 on it, and I will be moving my little Eco Sun LED light from my reef over to this tank when I upgrade my reef lighting, but that's going to be a little bit down the road. The Macro algae will have to wait until around Christmas time, I suppose.

Stock list:
-mantis
-blue ochtodes
-graclilaria
-codium
-flame algae

And a shot of my reef (also Micro-Reefs tank) with the light the mantis will eventually inherit.

Lookin for picks of my old G. Chigara too, but I can't seem to find any anywhere...

 

[MantisO_o]

Oh with the Mantis...make sure you have a lid. They do like to go Rug Surfing!

As for a G. chiragra they require at least a 5 to 10 gallons, depends on size.

Quoted under the G. chiragra page, 'largest animals can chip glass tank' - Dr. Roy. I guess if you bought an adult size G. chiragra that is more likely to do so. Those G. chiragra i have had...i didn't have much issues but i kept those in a 20 gallon...and any other 'smaller' Mantises you shouldn't have to worry about in those tanks you showed.

Many G. chiragra for sale are often mistaken as 'Clown' or Peacock Mantis Shrimps. You should see some on BlueZoo for them or ThatFishPlace.com. I see females often for sale then males.

 

[Fretfreak13]

I'm not looking for another Chigara, thats for sure. I loved my little guy, but he was soooooooooooooo shy. the only time I ever saw him at all was when I'd feed him from tongs, and even then it was only his rapts coming out of his hole to get the food. Never saw his whole body once since putting him in the tank until he died. He lived in a 10 gallon.

The glass tank I'm buying comes with a lid, it just isn't in the picture.