Just got an O. scyllarus

[Koshmar]

Sorry for your loss, I don't know what I would do if one of my little buddies died.
A little tip is to use white vinegar to clean the outside of the tank and the feeding stick/tongs/baster. Remember that a lot of cleaning solutions are volatile and can creep into a room, especially when the a/c and fans are on. When I clean my bathroom (just down the hall from my tanks), I turn off the ceiling fans just in case. Nitrites were probably the cause though, I always make sure mine are zero, my nitrates are another story though. I still do weekly water changes to keep them down.
You will get another one and next time you will be fully prepared. Try not to beat yourself up too much. Time to start over. We're here to help.

 

[Chopitofifi]

I'm new to the forum and would like to add some advice to the above discussion...quit doing tests on your water!....a healthy tank is obvious...do water changes at 10% a week and you'll be fine. My two Neo. Wenns have been in a 6.5gal and a 2.5gal for 4 months and are doing fine.

I want to hear responses to this.

 

[barnabus's gimp]

sounds like chopi is challenging someone to a dual... anyway, a healthy tank might not be so obvious and that is a really general thing to say. So take your 18 years and pompous attitude somewhere else.

 

[Chopitofifi]

I don't know where the 18yrs came from as I've only had a tank for 1yr....maybe a pompous attitude on my part as stated above, but only being realistic...let a tank cycle for a couple weeks, 2lbs LV/gal and yada yada...maybe your wennerae were weak?

 

[billsreef]

Since testing can reveal levels getting out of whack before there is a noticeable impact on critter health, and can help diagnose problems, and can help track the cylce on a new tank set up...

It just makes sense to test, especially since you can't see the water chem parameters without testing. Makes testing the smart thing to do. Even the pros do it

 

[billsreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15726069#post15726069 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chopitofifi
I don't know where the 18yrs came from as I've only had a tank for 1yr....

You can click on the "My RC" button up top, go to "edit profile" and fix that

 

[Thurge]

Responce:
Only the irresponsible skip testing their water. It's much easier to fix things BEFORE they hit the fan.

 

[barnabus's gimp]

my bad, yeah testing water sucks but you have to do it. also animals are under a lot of stress during transport, they need time to rest and adjust to the new surroundings.

 

[Faraday's Cage]

@Chopitofifi: Maybe if I HADN'T tested my water so often, I wouldn't know WHY my mantis died. Sorry, but that seems like bad advice to give to someone, much less someone who had a death in the fam- I mean tank.

@Everyone else:

I just tested my tank, five days after Dactyl/Manty/Mantessa died, and about 2 weeks after the tank started.

Results:
pH: 8.2
Alkalinity: 280 ppm
Nitrates: 15 ppm
Nitrites: 0.25 ppm
Ammonia: ~0 ppm

I have two margarita snails, 3 hermit crabs, and one damselfish (originally two damsels, but one died, probably because I forgot to feed it...). I put in Biozyme (bacteria) and a bubbler to speed up the cycling and aeration of the water. In about a week I'm going to get a new mantis shrimp, either a Lysiosquilinae maculata from blue zoo aquatics, or just another O. scyllarus (anyone know which is better?).

Thanks,
Faraday's "FC" Cage

 

[Gonodactylus]

F Cage,

For what it is worth, I think you are pushing it, particularly if you want to use a deep sand bed for a Lysiosquillina maculata. We refer to tanks cycling because they do just that - cycle. In my experience, quick fixes are rarely stable. Be patient and give the tank some time to run in properly.

Roy

 

[billsreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15732826#post15732826 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gonodactylus
In my experience, quick fixes are rarely stable. Be patient and give the tank some time to run in properly.

Roy

x2

BTW, I've found Biozyme to be no more effective than just adding water Those quick fixes are really only good at promising you something you want, and therefore very effective at separating you from your money without doing anything they promise you. Lot's of snake oil on the LFS shelves

 

[SMaxwell]

F Cage,
Dr. Roy is the expert here,listen to him. Definately give your tank at least a full month to cycle, six weeks is better. Make sure your nitrites are zero and nirtates I dont think should be that high for a new tank. More time, some water changes and maybe some chaeto in the tank to help keep the nitrates under control. Patience and knowledge will be rewarded with sucess. Make sure you start with a hearty Mantis, I really wanted an O. Hav but everything I read and all advice given to me pointed me to an N Wenn, which by the way are really cool!

If you try again before the tank matures enough, then the Mantis Grimm Reaper will visit your tank again.

 

[Thurge]

+4
I would give it at least 4 weeks with what you have in the tank now. Let the tank really break in.
Peacock is definately more interesting than L.maculata.


The most important thing in this hobbie is the one thing you can't buy for any price.
Patience.

 

[Koshmar]

+5
Does testing your water have any negative impact? Well, assuming you don't drop the testing solution in the tank, no. I know where the "not testing your water" is comming from because I have gone a long time without testing before, but it's just not worth it to take the chance. By testing your water frequently you can correct a problem before it becomes life threatening.
The people I work with at the aquarium I volunteer at say the exact same thing Roy just said. Chemicals are really tricky and I've talked with some staff members there that say it's all about personal experience with chemical usage to control a problem. I know it's difficult but try waiting longer, stability is key. You can save a stomatopod's life and save money by waiting.

 

[Faraday's Cage]

Ok, ok, jeez. I was merely saying that I planned to get another, but that I wasn't sure and wanted your advice. I understand that patience is key, and I am willing to wait for at least a month (maybe I should get it Oct. 15th?). Also, I think I will get another peacock, because I don't really want to deal with a deep sand bed and the (relative) uncolorfulness of a L. maculata (no offense). I am also going to remove all of the red rocks (which could be leaching copper!) and replace them with live rock rubble, since its only $2.5/lb. I also heard that Biospira works from someone (prolly in this thread), so I'll get that. Thanks for all the tips and advice, I would be lost without you guys.

BTW: When I test (using test strips), I dunk the
strip directly into the tank. Is this a horrible thing to do? I mean, anything "bad" in the strip would leach out minimally since I only dunk it for a second.

FC

 

[Faraday's Cage]

Wow, I just realized how addicted I am to ellipses and parentheses.

FC

 

[Fig70g]

You will probably get a few responses about the test strips. They arent the most reliable way to test the water. I am not sure about whether dipping them directly in the water is a bad thing, I havent heard one way or another.
A regular test kit is not much more expensive, and a little more work to actually test, but will overall give you a better reading.
Also, your are getting a lot of good criticism hear, and taking it in well. We all have a collective interest in these marine animals, Im sure youll be more successful this time. I have an OS and love watching him destroy hermits, only to put the shells outside his cave the next day looking very happy and content!

 

[barnabus's gimp]

I want a peacock mantis!

 

[Koshmar]

Test strips will not negatively affect your tank from my experience with using them at the aquarium. We only use them to get a very rough estimate of nitrate levels and never really rely on them. Of course, since the tanks have a huge amount of water, even if the test strips negatively affected the water, it would be negated by the volumn of the tank. I still highly doubt that the strips leach anything, just follow the directions. Now the test solution in those chem kits will do damage if dumped in the tank. Again though, it's all in the directions.

 

[Fuegan]

Test strips are not a good way to test your water. Their accuracy is very poor, like stated above, a really quick way to see if something may be mis-aligned.

If I can offer any wisdom it is nothing in this hobby happens quickly except disasters.