How much would it cost for set up?

[saltwater4life1]

Alright i'm thinking of getting one but would like to hear from some pro's
all the following are idea's not the done deal.
tank: 5g
Lights: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=11382&N=2004+113345
Filter: ether one of my old ones or a cheap one and fill it with LR
heater: one i have lying around
Other: 2-3 inch of sand around 3-5lb of rock
Sound good?

OK here are some other questions
What type of mantis would be perfect in there?
What can i feed it besides inverts?
Anything else i should know or do?

 

[ZC]

your set up would work ok for a N. Wennera. They are pretty active and stay small for that size tank.

I feed my mantis fresh cuts of salmon from the seafood market at the grocery store, and other various types of fresh fish. Inverts are usually the way to go, squid, snails, crabs, octo, etc. I usually soak my food in selecon or vita chem, just so the mantis gets some extra nutriton.

There's always something else to know, that's why there are forums such as these.

 

[saltwater4life1]

Wow just googled N. Wennera and they look really cool.
So this set up would be fine for him.

Thanks ZC i aways like to learn something
Nick

 

[Thurge]

That set up should be big enough.

I feed my Mantis's: Krill, silversides, shrimp, snails and any crabs that come in with the LFS live rock shippments and I can talk them out of.

I actually probably feed heavily on live snails (yes it gets spendy) and supplement with the other stuff. My G. chigra is a character though. When I restock his clean-up crew he will hord them into his burrow then close up shop for a couple weeks.

 

[saltwater4life1]

hmm well frozen food works because i have alot from my reef tank
well here i can get snails and hermits for a buck each
what about those glass shrimps that are like 10 for a buck?
and a eggcrate top wouldn't be good right? just a glass one then?
Thanks again guys

 

[Hutton]

N. wennera would be your best bet. very easy to find. be sure to give the mantis a varried diet. frozen shrimp from the market works good, but also let him get some live food.

 

[saltwater4life1]

alright so i have the equipment done with now the N. Wennera sounds and looks really cool and now for food
here is what i'm thinking for food
frozen shrimp,fish,mysis,sliversides
live foods snails,crabs,glass shrimp,feeder fish
that sound good? also how much and how often would i have to feed him?
Thanks
Nick

 

[ZC]

I feed mine everyother day and alternate between live and frozen food. I do tend to prolly over feed on my everyother day feedings though, but the skimmer pulls most the the gunk out of the tank.

 

[Hutton]

i wouldnt do feeder fish such as damsels with a smasher. smashers eat inverts. i would feed the mantis every other day

 

[saltwater4life1]

alright so i wont get feeder fish so will it eat the glass shrimps and is it smashers that need the deep sand bed or the others?

Thanks for all the info
Nick

 

[Hutton]

spearers need the deep sand bed, my g. smithii loves feeder shrimp. he hunts them more than he does the hermits. my lfs stoped selling them though

 

[Hutton]

spearers need the deep sand bed, my g. smithii loves feeder shrimp. he hunts them more than he does the hermits. my lfs stoped selling them though

 

[saltwater4life1]

alright i knew there was one type that needed deep sand beds anyways i guess i'll look into setting up a tank anything else i need to know? like not to pet it