My Ultimate Multi Mantis System(s)

[Kharn]

Just got back from collecting

Captured a few fish as well about half a dozen oyster blenny of different sizes biggest was about 2.5inchs long however instead of doing what I do with most fish (feed them to the spearers)...........I placed them randomly into the smaller smasher tanks hopefully to give the smashers a little bit of entertainment in trying to catch them.

When I put the large 2.5inch blenny into Rockys compartment he instantly came out to greet it, a cat n mouse chase resumed with the blenny darting into the PVC and Rocky following, it popped out twice with Rocky close behind, then from within the PVC I heard dull taping noise, Rocky had caught it.

Also got a bundle of crabs from tiny to large

 

[Kharn]

I might of missed Rocky chasing down his fish ... but I did manage to get a little bit of Tintin chasing & wrestling with his, unfortunately Tintin is the smallest stomatopod I have...so it's not as detailed etc. still really kool to see him taking on a fish

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/shHE21MHN2c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

More to come as I start to offer up some crabs

 

[Kharn]

With the addition of the blennies to STAND A it would seem that most of the stands resident stomatopods didn't want to come out to eat...which I could only lay down to 1 reason...they had all caught a blenny and feasted on it, so there was no action to be had after the lone video of Tintin for STAND A....

STAND B was slightly similar unfortunately...although I didn't add any blennies to any of the compartments/tanks...I assume Maximus & Minnie were just not hungry/full as they were certainly offered food but showed no interest in it (normally they pounce but they were all defensive and staying in their cavities). Having said that...the 2 heavyweight smashers certainly put on a show .

The Kraken really taking it to his meal and making sure it was really tenderized...
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7jLfPhUj3x4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Juggernaut on the other hand pumped it out...a few power packed punches early in the one sided fight not only left the crab totally dazed and confused but when you watch the hits, it's like watching a boxing fight in slow motion, all the sweat flying off each other as each strike lands, same here except the sweat is sediment built up on the crab over time, these punches are smacking the dust of it xD...
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3zgEHkh4A7M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

More to come

 

[Kharn]

Finally I have settled with how I want my 2 Large Smasher tanks too look (currently housing 2 O.scyllarus), the original plan was very simple due to the blunt fact that Peacocks and Light are not a good combination so the possibilities of keeping coral was instantly diminished, however with the knowledge now that it is more of a water chemistry thing rather then a lighting specific problem (light being the catalyst) I instantly started to remake plans for the tanks individual homes to host coral (but more importantly, upgrade each stands filtration majorly), nonetheless this is the soon to be started new DIY PVC burrows with plateaus, since these 2 tanks are the only without dividers they are the largest 'individual compartments' so they will be the center piece for the nicest of corals etc. (ironically hosting one of the nicest colored stomatopods currently ).



The plan is to branch into all major groups within each tank, with mushies/softies & zoa's etc residing on the substrate level scattered about, on the mid level plateaus residing around the entrance/exits of the burrow are for LPS whilst the long slim back row running the length of the burrow will be for SPS (tough stuff dallas frags, encrusting monti etc.)

One thing I have learned that is more paramount here then in the case of a simple dark tank itself is that the peacocks need places of complete darkness and good flow within the burrow itself, being partly buried along with have angled entrance/exits means darkness in the burrow is going to be at a maximum, flow wise the 2 little grey squares are intended little pumps, plan is to just get the smallest pumps (Eheim Compact 300 likely) and dial them back as needed to help hide the cords I am going to neatly glue cable guides into the back of the burrow so as to hide the cable.

There will be a pair of powerheads outside the burrows for the sake of overall flow.

 

[lionbacker54]

With the addition of the blennies to STAND A it would seem that most of the stands resident stomatopods didn't want to come out to eat...which I could only lay down to 1 reason...they had all caught a blenny and feasted on it, so there was no action to be had after the lone video of Tintin for STAND A....

STAND B was slightly similar unfortunately...although I didn't add any blennies to any of the compartments/tanks...I assume Maximus & Minnie were just not hungry/full as they were certainly offered food but showed no interest in it (normally they pounce but they were all defensive and staying in their cavities). Having said that...the 2 heavyweight smashers certainly put on a show .

The Kraken really taking it to his meal and making sure it was really tenderized...
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7jLfPhUj3x4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Juggernaut on the other hand pumped it out...a few power packed punches early in the one sided fight not only left the crab totally dazed and confused but when you watch the hits, it's like watching a boxing fight in slow motion, all the sweat flying off each other as each strike lands, same here except the sweat is sediment built up on the crab over time, these punches are smacking the dust of it xD...
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3zgEHkh4A7M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

More to come

kharn-

thanks for posting. i love crustaceans. what kind of crabs were these?

 

[Kharn]

thanks for posting. i love crustaceans. what kind of crabs were these?

I love crustaceans on the whole as well, they are kool! :spin3:

As for the crabs in the films the first one is a typical swimmer I usually get them MUCH larger specifically for the Juggernaut to 'play' with as for the crab in the second film...I'm not sure exactly what species it is but they are EVERYWHERE out front...nigh on under every rock I flip has 1 - 3 of these fist sized 'box crabs' they are very placid (unlike the swimmers) so it's often hard to spot them cause they do not run just curl into a box/ball very easy to pick them up as they don't nip (just stay curled).

I'll be offering the Juggernaut another one of these Box Crabs later today after lunch I'm getting the big fella use to PVC and have just dropped a decent sized PVC piece with curved ends to see how the Juggernauts reaction, so far been swimming in and out of it etc. so I am confident.

 

[Kharn]

Got a good recording in High Speed of Morgoth plucking a fish from the water column, was very nerve wracking to get since he didn't just strike as soon as the fish came into range....mixed in with the fact that I cannot simply push record then walk away for 20-30mins, only records for 4secs at High Speed so you basically got to press record rite before the strike and since everything happens so quick...it's easy to miss it, nonetheless I got this one good!

Make sure to select the highest quality you can (max being 1080p) and then adjust the resolution as you see fit, I think I did a good job with the editing of it to get a clearer picture at full screen size, it is watchable, I want to see what 1200FPS will be like (3x slower then current) and how 'good/bad' the resolution is even after editing...might be surprised me thinks.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KiET8bv2SjM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

More to come!

 

[Kharn]

Finally I have a somewhat accurate list of equipment that will come with the upgrade along with prices to match them (with the quote coming back to me on the sump builds and costs) ! I'll summarize it all...

3x HOB Overflows (by LifeReef) for the display stands to connect to the sump stands = $450
3x Tunze Skimmers (1x 9002 & 2x 9006) & 1x TLF Phos 150 reactor (have 2 reactors already) = $850
16x Tunze Nano Pumps (6016) & 10x Eheim Compact Pumps (3x 2000 & 7x 300) = $1500
6x Eshine LED Bridgelux (3x25 & 3x40) = $700
8x Custom Sumps = $3100.

Estimated total = $6600

Considering the amount of extras as well (electrical setup is being installed so boards etc, along with the live rock, substrate, macro algae and refugiums inhabitants, the media for the reactors etc). I would estimate around $7500-$8000 should be enough...

But with it will literally comes a wall of coral 4meters long and 2.5meters high with just over 2,000L of water, likely the weight of 2 small cars going off my brothers first car (a small lancer) there will also be the chance to keep at the very least 12 more stomatopods (with in the refugiums).

 

[Kharn]

I calculated what the new electrical grid will look like and estimated the avg 24hr wattage use.

Total amount of power point plugs = 54...
Total amount of wattage running 24/7 = 900watts est.



Bit interesting...from what I read 1 wall socket unit is 10amps or 2400watt max capacity...Ironically being much less then that in total (900wats est.)...all 52 could theoretically run off 1 wall socket...something my father the electrician said should be fine, so long as it's done neatly with good boards.

 

[Kharn]

A few photos to change things up I am starting to get the hang of the Nikon 1 V2 and photography which it does a noticeable difference in comparison to the Nikon P500 (again the ability to change the lenses is great and what I have rite now is considered the most basic/overall for it).

Focus is on the eyes and areas just around it.

Juggernaut


Kraken



Great Display animals

 

[Fartin'Gary]

You can open the Stomatopod Learning Center and list it as a non profit then write off all your expenses!

 

[Kharn]

You can open the Stomatopod Learning Center and list it as a non profit then write off all your expenses!

Soon I'll be hosting a party (once the upgrades are done) and people from the aussie forum are welcome to come and see face to face my stomatopods I even have games planned where they have to catch crabs and fish (if their lucky enough) then get the chance to personally give it to a stomatopod.


'Nab - a Crab'
-Numbers are drawn on each smashers compartment.
-Numbers are drawn on each crabs carapace.
-Tickets with numbers are placed within a hat and randomly drawn by the participants.
- Ticket numbers match the participant to the crab and the stomatopod.

As a sweetener 1 of the tickets will be a "lucky" number for a very large crab, for the very large smasher, Juggernaut (full size O.scyllarus).

'Swish - a - Fish'
Participants are brought into a room blindfolded and the room completely darkened, the participant is given a fish net and 60secs to snag a fish within the tank (I have night vision so will alert them when they capture a fish or times is up).

Again the sweetener being 1 very large fish in the tank if the participant is lucky enough to snag it then he/she can personally give it to the very large spearer, Leviathan.

Of course in both circumstances once the owners are matched to their crabs / fish they can elect to keep them and take them home or give it to the destined stomatopod.

 

[Kharn]

A few days ago I posted a pic of my planned O.scyllarus DIY PVC burrows and today I made a 'mock setup' of 1, because the 2 tanks are slightly different in size (bottom tank holding Juggy is 100mm taller then the one above holding Kraken) I made the other DIY PVC burrow slightly taller to make up for the extra height, I also tweaked it a bit more...

This was the picture I made in paint a few days ago...



The only change was that of the verticals supporting the SPS plateau running along the back and above everything, they looked a little...plain and could easily host things themselves...so I added 3 plateaus to each Vertical ensuring that each one wasn't covering the one below it they form a kind of big 'V' because on the inside outer most entry/exit verticals, sit the pumps designed to increase flow within the DIY PVC burrow itself.



The entire horizontal bottom of the DIY PVC burrow will be buried under coral rubble with only the verticals poking up from the substrate, because of this simple fact the entire horizontal portion of the bottom will NOT be coated with substrate & glue (everything above substrate level will be coated in glue & substrate just like the previous burrows for STAND A).

Going to look good in the end me thinks

 

[Kharn]

Here is what I am having problems with...whilst I have essentially chosen / made places for specific corals I want to keep...the 2 biggest places still available currently are vacant and this is substrate level in the 2 'gaps' between the 3 verticals of the DIY PVC burrow with their plateaus etc. causing dark areas.



Originally the plan was to go for a nice RBTA within each tank taking up 1 of the 2 spaces in each tank...but I don't know if I wanna risk it....

 

[Kharn]

Here is a 'Top Down' view of the DIY PVC burrow detailing how every plateau has at the very least 95% of it showing and not covered by another, thus making all available to light.



With the intended coral positions and space available at substrate level.

 

[lljdma06]

Soon I'll be hosting a party (once the upgrades are done) and people from the aussie forum are welcome to come and see face to face my stomatopods I even have games planned where they have to catch crabs and fish (if their lucky enough) then get the chance to personally give it to a stomatopod.


'Nab - a Crab'
-Numbers are drawn on each smashers compartment.
-Numbers are drawn on each crabs carapace.
-Tickets with numbers are placed within a hat and randomly drawn by the participants.
- Ticket numbers match the participant to the crab and the stomatopod.

As a sweetener 1 of the tickets will be a "lucky" number for a very large crab, for the very large smasher, Juggernaut (full size O.scyllarus).

'Swish - a - Fish'
Participants are brought into a room blindfolded and the room completely darkened, the participant is given a fish net and 60secs to snag a fish within the tank (I have night vision so will alert them when they capture a fish or times is up).

Again the sweetener being 1 very large fish in the tank if the participant is lucky enough to snag it then he/she can personally give it to the very large spearer, Leviathan.

Of course in both circumstances once the owners are matched to their crabs / fish they can elect to keep them and take them home or give it to the destined stomatopod.

Sulking... because I don't live in Australia.

 

[Kharn]

Here is a more advanced coral layout preview, although I have placed Gorgonians within the 2 large available substrate spaces, this isn't set in stone just yet (previously having considering an RBTA but no longer wanting to 'risk' it).



As far as I am concerned with the Gorgonians, the common factors seem to be...

- Positioned away from other corals specially those like LPS (stingers) & Softies (mucus defense/offense).
- Positioned in direct flow a.k.a strong water movement over them.
- Fed (irregardless of whether they are NPS or PS) I do not see other Softies/LPS/SPS disagreeing with the extra food they will get from the Gorgonian feedings (ReefRoids seems to be good amongst other things).

Considering the positions I have planned for them I think they should do well, being on the bottom of the tank substrate level (where nothing else is) and having all other SPS/LPS/Soft corals raised on plateaus out of the way, as I said previously for the powerheads there will be 2 per tank... 1 directed at each Gorgonian.

 

[Kharn]

Obviously once the corals go into these tanks the very large live feedings for these smashers will have to cease...the pay off for now having other tank inhabitants that will likely get bulldozed over in the battle between large smasher and large crab...but I believe it will be a much better outcome providing some crazy photographic / filming opportunities of the already crazy colors from both the O.scyllarus & Soon to be added corals .

One thing I would like to stress is that even with the addition of the major filtration upgrade prior to all this, I have provided the O.scyllarus with a virtually pitch black cavity with good (adjustable) flow from both directions within it (Dr.Caldwell stressed on flow within the burrow itself), due to the angles + the horizontal lengths at each entry/exit point, means that light cannot penetrate down the verticals and no where within the horizontal base itself.

Of all the DIY PVC burrows these are going to be the most fun I am thinking about after adding the fine substrate & glue that I have on the smaller DIY PVC burrows, the go about adding large chunks of dead coral (the same substrate in the tanks themselves), a layer of it over the exposed (already finer substrate & glued) verticals & plateaus.

Thank god the glue is so cheap xD and easy to use! Thank god for vaultboy on another forum for suggesting the simplicity of it "Why not use PVC Cement??"....lol I think my local hardware store took notice to me purchasing dozens of 1/2 ltr tubs of it for my previous DIY PVC burrows so they got larger tubs in of 2L still cheap as dirt too but strong as steel I mean you can belt sand the stuff and it won't all tare off in clumps!

 

[Kharn]

Also I have found another way to get a more rigid overall formation of the Glue & Fine Substrate mix, basically ALL of the eggcrate is wrapped in multiple fiberglass flyscreen sheets (2-3) covering all edges/corners etc. the piece is dipped in glue and buried in fine substrate.

The combination of the flyscreen + fine substrate + pvc cement = a VERY strong structure, so as flimsy as they look prior to the whole glue & substrate side of things, once it is onto the PVC/eggcrate/flyscreen and dried....it is very very strong for even the smallest 'gripping area'.

 

[Kharn]

This is a 'cut in half' view of what the large plateaus will be like for the LPS tentacle corals, the base where the coral sits should form a 'cone' shape, since most of the hammers, frogspawns, torchs that I have seen have a sort of 'V' base making it impossible for them to stand upright on the solid flat base...however with the slightly raised sides and deeper center this should create a 'V' itself allowing these types of LPS to slot in and sit upright.

All corals will be affixed with Gum to the plateaus if possible.