My Future Mantis Setup

[Treevore]

I'm going to probably set up a mantis tank, and want to clarify here my equipment and see if any of it is a bad choice to use and if you have any better suggestions.

-7-gallon minibow or other small aquarium
-Aquaclear filter (I will light it and use it for a fuge, and chemical filter media)
-13 watt 50/50 PC light (just so I can put in a few mushrooms or star polyps to make it look nice)
-Approx. 10 lbs. LR
-Small powerhead

I will add a heater when the house temperature drops down into the mid 70s, which won't be for a few months. I'll monitor the system temp to make sure it stays in the 78-82 range.

I was wondering if I can go barebottom, or if this will make the mantis nervous. If I wanted to avoid sand, could I put in a small PVC tube and hide it in the rock to give him a home?

Finally, how do I handle clean up crews? I can imagine he would eat anything I put in there, so would I just have to count on water changes and my fuge?

Thanks in advance!

 

[rogerwells]

the mantis like to burrow so put the pvs pipe in the sand or something...its not that expensive just dont get any live sand...the tank looks better with sand

 

[Treevore]

Yeah, you're right, it will be hard to give it protection without sand.

 

[ReefGeekster]

Here's some valuable info:

http://blueboard.com/mantis/care/maintain.htm

 

[Qwiv]

My mantis doesn't bother my urchin, but he is also a small mantis.

 

[ReefGeekster]

My mantis doesn't bother my urchin, but he is also a small mantis.

The larger the Mantis get the more destructive it can get with other reef life.

 

[Qwiv]

My mantis is fully grown, just a small species.