new member... new tank

[danskim]

Hello all. I am very new to this hobby and I currently have no tank.. haha, but I've been researching. I am planning on having my first tank being occupied by a mantis shrimp - an odontodactylus scyllarus.
I have been reading that they are quite hardy and don't take nearly as much maintenance in regards to water...
As I am quite a novice in any kind of aquarium, I am humbly asking for some advice as to the equipment I will be needing.
This is what I have in mind so far.. and I may be missing vital elements...

-20-30 gallon tank.. I am aware they can potentially crack glass, but I am leaning towards glass
-ViaAqua Multiskimmer
-Live rock and live sand in the right proportions..

Yeah I guess the list isn't long at all.
Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

 

[pisces77]

I would get a HOB filter too, can't hurt

 

[danskim]

hob filter?
any other suggestions?

 

[danskim]

oh I found out what a HOB filter is... this particular kind of skimmer actually is a hang-on-back skimmer that includes a mechanical, biological and chemical filter

 

[danskim]

If I were to use about half regular crushed coral substrate along with some live sand. Would it be best to mix them up? live on top or on bottom?
Someone else has told me that I should just go with a mix of inert and live sand and skip the crushed coral.
Any thoughts on this?

 

[pisces77]

that's also fine but leave small pices of coral or shells for the mantis to build with and kick around.