mantis for 10-20 gal

[sean-820]

what is a good mantis for a 20 gallon long tank? 30x12x12?

It will be a fowlr tank (well mantis not fish) with a pc 65w bulb . The fixture would be a current or a corallife.

The filter is an ac 30 but i may want to upgrade to a 20 long and use the 10 as a filter (could i fit another mantis in it too?)

Would i be able to get a mantis that can live in a 10g for life and have the 10g with the mantis in it acting as a filter for the 20?

Are there any problems with a stealth heater in the tank and a mantis hitting it? If i got a 20 gal long should it be acrilic?

My plan is:
Get a 28 w coralife light for my 10g and get a small species of mantis with it then eventuallt get a 20l and then use the 10g as a filter and keep the original mantis i nthe 10g and get anoither or other fish for the 20l.


Would a skimmer be good (nano skimmer) or waste of $ (its only 60$ so if its worth it i will probably get one).


Whats a good, agressive, colourful mantis for a 10g for life? and how can i id it from other mantis'? Where could i get one at a good price and with cheap shipping?

Im in Canada (Hamilton area-ontario) so does anybody know any vendors or stores around that carry them?

Will a 28w coraline light be fine for amantis only tank and be enoght to get some nice coralline algae?

Would a powerhead be good bad or doesnt matter?

 

[sean-820]

as wll do they accept frozen pieces of fillet since i keep piranahs as well so i walways have frosen shrimp, cod, haddock ,talapia, pollock....

 

[Pea-brain]

For the 20 long I'd suggest a P. ciliata. It is extremely active and a spearer so you can keep some cleanup crew like snails. For the 10 gallon I'd go with a G. smithii, G. ternatensis, N. wennerae, G. glabrous, etc. etc. just look for small green mantises. p. ciliata can be identified by being a small (<4") spearer, sometimes bright yellow or orange with checkerboard eyes. Stealth heaters are fine dare one of the safer heaters for mantises. Go with a powerhead, they are actually better than HOB filters as long as you have adequate liverock. Most nano skimmers are junk and a 10 gallon will make a fine sump for a 20 gallon.

Dan

 

[sean-820]

thanks

So the mantis' for the 10g will be small and green usually?
Any common names for them or do i just use the scientific name?

Would powerhead and a hob be better? The Hob is stricktly bio and filled with eheim substrat pro

product time:

Lightign option 1:
coralline 1x28w

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA...life20aqualightpowercompactstriplight1x28watt

I think this would be better but what to be sure. I just want a well lit tank and alot of coralline. It says that it comes with one swichbut whats the point of having leds unless they can be turned on seperatly for night time viewing?
2 current usa:

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA...wattpowercompactfixturesinglestripwlunarlight

skimmer:
http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp18091/si1318756/cl0/currentusafissionnanoskimmer


What about pvc pipe for burrows? is it nessisary if i have a cave?

 

[Pea-brain]

Sorry to say that there are no online dealers that offer identified mantis shrimp to my knowledge. Generally small smashers tend to be green and under 3" or so. Most stores would rather throw the mantises away than ID them, and generally regard them as pests. Talk to JustinL. He lives in Canada and may b able to give you some tips.

A powerhead/HOB combo may be best, but the water movement from a powerhead is IMO vital.

Fissions are junk

Can't offer opinion on lights

Dan

 

[sabazerehi]

check out drsfosterandsmith.com or marindepot.com i think you'll find some cheaper lights