THE TANK HAS BEEN SET UP FOR ABOUT 7 MONTHS I HAVE ALREADY CYCLED IT AND HAD VARIOUS FISH IN IT TO DO SO. I HAVE TAKEN EVERYTHING OUT BEFORE I PUT MY MANTIS IN. I HAVE 2 PIECES OF LIVE ROCK IN THERE, THEY HAVE BEEN THERE A WHILE. I MADE HIME A CAVE OUT OF SOME BULK CORAL ABOUT 5 PIECES. I USED LIVE SAND FOR THE SUBSTRATE , ABOUT 1 TO 2 INCHES THICK, IT SHOULD BE PLENTY FOR HIM. TODAY HE SEEMS TO BE EXPLORING MORE HE WENT INTO THE CAVE AND DUG OUT THE SAND A LITTLE, SO I THINK HE IS ALRIGHT. I FEED HIM A GHOST SHRIMP TODAY , I TRIED TO LOOK FOR IT BUT I COULD NOT FIND IT MAYBE HE ATE IT, I HOPE. TOMORROW I WILL TRY A SMALL FEEDER FISH .. THANKS I ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF FAKE PLANTS IN THERE FOR HIM ,, MORE HIDING SPOTS.