I want to set-up a 5-10 gallon Mantis tank for less than $45

[prawngoby]

My goal is simple: create a tank system for less than $45. I plan on getting the slasher type (they fit me: quick and silent strikes). I need to know how to aqauscape the tank for that type of mantis. Thanks in advace.

P.S., I thought of this to help get some of my friends gain some expirience with salt before they go all out with an expensive set-up.

 

[Volcom]

Getting your friends interested is a good idea. I wish my friends liked my salt water tank.

Anyway, not that I think you should give this up, but it will be very hard to set up a tank for only 45 bucks.
You will need a tank, heater, filter, and powerhead. I think it would probably be more like 100 bucks with the mantis and everything.

I am also going to set up a ten gallon mantis tank pretty soon but I am getting a smasher because I have heard they are easier to feed and they like to live/hide in PVC piping and caves. For my aquascaping I am just going to use maybe one or two big rocks on one side of the tank and a few plants. I want a big open space to see him hunt. I also might add some corals.

Good luck with yours and post some pics of your setup when you get it up and running.

 

[prawngoby]

I'd post pics, but I decided to cut a digital camera from my budget. The mantis is going to be free, so that cuts down on cost. I also have alot of left over equipment, so that SHOULD keep costs down. As for slashers and feeding, I plan on keeping and breeding black mollies for feeder fish; I'll probably leave a group of 3-5 in with the mantis. Even though feed live foods supposedly make your animals more agressive, I think it could be fun watching them hunt normally. Will slashers attack snails, or is that just "striker" type mantises?

 

[jjrock]

Setting up a tank for $50 should be no problem, especially if the mantis is free. The big problem is you will probably want a chunk of live rock to use as a dwelling for your Mantis, which, depending on the size, will cost more than the tank.

I payed $20 for a used ten gallon tank, which came with a used filter, $19 for a medium sized (5") mantis, and about $10 for the substrate/argonite. That's a total of $49 dollars. I do not use a heater, as I feel it is unecessary since I do not keep fancy corral or any fish that I really want to live.

My live rock is 10 lbs, which I bought from a friend who had purchased 100 lbs of it. He charged me $5 per pound, so it was $50.

Pics of the mantis and his 10 lb home can be seen on this thread:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=292326

I have a second setup now, with a smaller mantis, 2.5" (unidentified but free) who resides in a 3 gallon acrilyc ($40 for full kit / filter no heater). A 3 lb live rock that cost me $14 and that's it.

Cheers,
JJ.

 

[gwrulzmylife]

cool idea

 

[Gerard the fish]

10 gallon tank and lighting from local pet store (holds mantis and provides lighting)... $15.00
2 light bulbs (bulbs for lighting)... $3.50
AquaClear 150 (provides both water flow and filtration)... $15.99
Sand (get some from your friends)...FREE
Live Rock (get some from your friends)...FREE
Buy your friends pizza in exchange for live rock and sand...$10.00

How did I come up with this you say?

Because thats how I made mine :-D

- g

 

[jjrock]

Wow, $15 for a 10g and lighting new from the store? Where do you live ....

JJ.

 

[prawngoby]

Should I get an eclipse tank instead?

 

[Volcom]

Nah I think It would be cheaper and cooler to get a regular ten gallon. Eclipse tanks ussually run for around 90 bucks.

 

[PRC]

10G tanks at PetSmart are less than $10 around here.
Might not need a heater depending on the temp where you're going to keep the tank and what kind of Mantis you get. Stomatopod has a post out here with a list of the temp ranges for various species of Mantis.
Definitely want some rock and sand. If you just want cheap you should be able to buy some base rock at an LFS for ~$2-3/lb. Any sand will do.
Filter's less than $15.
That's basically how mine's setup.