Is a 5 gallon suitable?

[hpmcbroom]

I have a 5 gallon acrylic tank I got from walmart . My cat loves to look at it she'll even paw at it's cute . Yet I've been thinking for a while about getting a mantis down the line . So I'd like to know is 5 gallons o.k. for a mantis ? How do you clean the acrylic sides will a mag float work ? I just have a nassarius snail and emerald crab in it right now and clean with a algea pad . Worried about splitting a thumb or two if I do this . I'm still reading up on their care so I'm not going to rush this yet this hoby is an obsession. Thanks in advance.

 

[dc]

As long as you have a small species.

 

[rwhhunt]

You can keep wenneras in a 5 gallon, I have a peacock in one temporarily, he is getting a new larger home ASAP. I just use lots of live rock and a regular mechanical filter (for water movement primarily) My new tank will have a protein skimmer installed. A mag foat should clean the sides fine-BUT make sure you buy the acrylic mag float not the glass (if its an acrylic 5 gal), otherwise expect scratches, and be careful not to let sand or gravel get between the magfloat and the side-thats how i scratched mine.

 

[hpmcbroom]

Thanks for the quick replies and the good info . One more question Do you put crushed coral on bottom first then layer it with sand and lr rubble or do you just mix it up how many inches ? Thanks for your guidance I appreciate it .

 

[rwhhunt]

I dont have a huge sand bed, and your mantis will shuffle it around to his liking anyway. But i do keep the rubble, and rocks on top

 

[dc]

I have less than an inch of sand. That also depends on the species you get. Some burrow in the sand, mine hangs out in the rocks, I rarely see it in the sand.

 

[hpmcbroom]

Thanks again for the additional info folks I appreciate the info. Is a wenneras a smasher or a spearer? I'm looking for a book on the mantis shrimp I went to barnes and noble and could'nt find one even when I did a search on their system . Any suggestions ?

 

[EMG]

My N Wenn lives in a 5.5 gallon and he's doing great.

I don' like using crushed coral in a small tank.... Use Live Rock and Pure sand..... my N Wenn. Loves to dig in the sand and move everything around.

 

[rwhhunt]

this forum, and blueboard.com/mantis is probably the best ive found...

 

[hpmcbroom]

Thanks again everyone for all the responses . I will take the plunge soon into mantis land . Once again thankyou :beer: