Mantis Shrimp set up

[Stork141]

takes too long to harden ha. super glue gel works the best in option.

 

[Calappidae]

takes too long to harden ha. super glue gel works the best in option.

Silicone takes only 24 hours (some 48 just to be safe) and it's saltwater proof and mostly nontoxic. You're forgetting the corrosive effects of high salinity levels in general.

Plus you want to make sure absolutely no dirt gets down there meaning a very good seal is needed.

 

[Stork141]

Nice. Ive used super glue gel for the past 5 years and have never had any problem glueing frags down. In and out of the tank.

 

[Calappidae]

Nice. Ive used super glue gel for the past 5 years and have never had any problem glueing frags down. In and out of the tank.

Where are you getting it?

 

[Stork141]

Menards, HD, or lowes really who ever is running a sale on it. It's the gel brand not glue. Very important the gel isn't so messy. Holds up better when using underwater. You can normaly get 3 tubes for .99. Way better than $15 at the lfs.

 

[Calappidae]

I buy 5 dollar tubes of this at lowes, it's actually aquarium safe.

Heck, even says it right on the package! (small image and small print don't mix I know..)

For glueing corals and such that need underwater sooner.. that stuff you do buy at the lfs it's a special type of epoxy. Nothings cheap in this hobby.

 

[Adetia]

I prefer the super glue gel as well, I've used loctite superglue gel in the past but i've been using this and like it a lot.

 

[Stork141]

So for other critter in the tank what works out well? Im gona do a couple damels or cheap middle to top lvl swimmers or something just to be swimming around when he is not out. As for a cuc would a serpent star work to help eat the uneaten/ stored food? What about small blue legs? If small enough would the mantis not bother them?

 

[Adetia]

You can keep a normal snail/hermit cuc, just make sure you keep restocking it when it gets low.

 

[Stork141]

Have been reading mixed things on serpents any experience?

 

[Calappidae]

Serpents will probably look too threatening to the mantis.

 

[Stork141]

So they should be avoided?

 

[Calappidae]

IMO, yeah, they won't hurt the mantis but they may freak it out a little.

You can try it worst case the stomatopod may attack it as a defense response.

 

[Stork141]

Ok just thinking it would be a great janitor for eating any half eaten stored food.

 

[Adetia]

If you're ok with possibly losing the serpent star i don't see any issues. I've never heard of a mantis being "freaked out" by a serpent star, or anything other invert for that matter. I kept one with my N Wennerae and Peacock, they didn't seem to bother each other, maybe a warning smack if the star got too close but that's about it.

 

[TrendyDanger]

I've had a sand sifting star in my tank in my tank since before I got my mantis and since introducing him he hasn't shown any interest whatsoever in the star - just walks right over him. But every mantis is different in terms of temperament.

 

[Stork141]

Cool. Think ill give it a shot. Would be nice to have a good scavenger in the tank to clean up after the mantis.

 

[Stork141]

I got a mantis finally. Went to my LFS seeing if they had one and low and behold a customer there was looking to part ways. Long story short traded him for some coral and i have a peacock mantis. He is 4" long. Still very shy from being introduced to his new home but is eating like a champ. Hes learning his new pvc pipe layout so doesnt come out much but hopefully he will become less shy as the time goes on.