Mantis Tank Idea

[Hurley675]

I am current in the process of setting up an new Mantis tank. The tank wont be installed for another month but i wanted some input on the idea. I will have my 22 Gallon SPS Tank Plumbed in to a Refugium/ Mantis Tank Being 10 gallons and having it gravity feed back into the Main display tank. The Mantis tank will have a 96W Power-Quad PC light fixture on it and have about 5-10 lbs of live rock in it along with a large amount of macro algea and about 1 1/2 inch. of live sand. I would like to get a N. Wennerae but latley my LFS have been carrying Mantises so ill post pics on those to see if there combaitible with being in a 10 gallon . If anyone thinks that this wouldnt be a good setup or could think of anything better it would be much appreciated!?!

 

[DanInSD]

This sounds good. The only thing that I would hesitate at is the light -- that's a lot of light for ten gallons! Make sure that you provide ample places for the mantis to get out of the "sun". Also, I would recommend a deeper sand bed in the refugium (4") to allow the anaerobic bacteria that convert nitrate to nitrogen to form. All of my tanks have deep sand beds and have zero nitrates.

Most smaller smashers and spearers (like P. ciliata) would be happy in a 10-gallon. You hear a lot about N. wennerae because they are readily available from Tampa Bay Saltwater and are reasonably interactive. G. smithii is sought after for personality.

Oh, one thing -- go for a "wide" rather than a "tall" tank. More surface area for the light (so more macroalgae growth) and more room for the mantis to run around (they don't climb rocks very often).

Dan

 

[Pea-brain]

recommended size for a p. cilita tank is 20 gallons.....

 

[Hurley675]

Well im going to have a 4-5" sandbed in the main tank so mabye ill go with an even more shallow sandbed like 1/2". Ive also hade a Powerquad over a ten gallon and its alot of light but im a alot light guy But ive been thinking about getting a 20"x20"x12" which would equal just over 20 gallons.