Pico tank, should I get this TBS rock? And other questions.

[aklee987]

I am going to be setting up either a 5.5 gallon tank or a 3 gallon tank. I love the look and growth of the TBS rocks I see here online, but what do you all think about putting it in such a small tank?

Also, would it be financially a good decision? Or would I waste too much on shipping for such a small amount? I already have a 34 gallon tank up with a pretty unique aquascape, and my wife won't let me add any more rock to it.

Last question, would a mantis be OK in such a small tank? If so, which type of mantis, and can I get it from TBS?

Thanks so much for your help.

 

[Raggamuffin]

the mantis that come from the TBS rock only grow to 3" long would have no prob keeping 1 in a 5.5 go check the mantis boards here, they are n.wennerae.

 

[lionbacker54]

why not just upgrade to a larger tank? it would not cost much more to get a 10 or 20 gallon tank, which will be much more stable than a pico.

 

[Gene0514]

or he can just get a 5-10 gallon fuge and put some rock and macroalgae in it

 

[aklee987]

No, this would be a desktop tank, no chance of upgrading or a fuge/sump area. That is why I'm debating whether or not to get this rock.

 

[noahm]

One thing you can do with richard on such a small tank is custom order. Not sure if the shipping will make it too costly, but you could ask for 'Two rocks about the size of grapefruits and one about the size of a quart jar, nice and holey and a few golf balls...' you get the idea. He is usually pretty good about custom stuff and could give you an idea on shipping. Just email him directly. Since it is a very small tank, you can be pretty specific about your needs/wishes and what you do or don't want without sounding like a PITA.

 

[Yogre]

My experience is that Richard is extremely flexible. I'm sure he'll pop in soon, but he may recommend shipping FedEx for a small order.

As I'm sure you've read, all of the airlines have a 100# minimum shipping charge. Richard is the shipping expert, he can tell you if another method would be cheaper/more convenient.

 

[aklee987]

Sounds like a plan, hopefully he can chime in soon with some ideas.

The tank is not bought yet, I'm still in the planning stages. I'm wanting hitchhikers and such, will probably be an invert tank. I'm thinking it will be too small to keep a mantis in, but should still be a fun tank.

I'd probably go with TBS sand also, along with the rock. Try to get some smaller pieces for an aquascape that's better than a "big pile in the midddle" See what hitchhikers I get, then add more crabs and snails, hopefully some zoas as I go. what do you all think? Any ideas for inverts that will be cool in a 3 gallon?

 

[Yogre]

Sounds like a plan, hopefully he can chime in soon with some ideas.

The tank is not bought yet, I'm still in the planning stages. I'm wanting hitchhikers and such, will probably be an invert tank. I'm thinking it will be too small to keep a mantis in, but should still be a fun tank.

I'd probably go with TBS sand also, along with the rock. Try to get some smaller pieces for an aquascape that's better than a "big pile in the midddle" See what hitchhikers I get, then add more crabs and snails, hopefully some zoas as I go. what do you all think? Any ideas for inverts that will be cool in a 3 gallon?

Probably the coolest invert you can get in a smaller tank is (IMHO) a mantis.
Surf on over to the Mantis Shrimp forum for some advice, including some tips from an expert, Dr. Roy Caldwell.

That said, a mantis will exclude most other inverts... and I really do enjoy watching all the other inverts in my tank... porcelain crabs, blue leg hermits, peppermint shrimp... I still find stuff in my TBS tank I can't identify, and my tank is almost a year old.

P.S. My apologies if I seem like I'm lecturing... I'm just a fan of TBS rock and the biodiversity that comes with it... including what a lot of people see as pests....

 

[aklee987]

I would actually appreciate more lecturing. I want to learn as much about TBS rock and sand as I can before I order. Just to make sure it is something I would want.

 

[lionbacker54]

yogre-
i'm with you about the biodiversity. it is a lot of fun to see little crabs and sponges and brittle stars pop out all the time. i found a huge porcelain crab the other day, about the size of a silver dollar the other day. i have no idea where he was hidden all this time.

on the downside, some are really small. i did a water change the other day, and didn't realize that i sucked up a tiny little crab. i saw him the next day, all dried up. very sad.

 

[Yogre]

yogre-
i'm with you about the biodiversity. it is a lot of fun to see little crabs and sponges and brittle stars pop out all the time. i found a huge porcelain crab the other day, about the size of a silver dollar the other day. i have no idea where he was hidden all this time.

on the downside, some are really small. i did a water change the other day, and didn't realize that i sucked up a tiny little crab. i saw him the next day, all dried up. very sad.

A long time ago, I was doing a water change and left my siphon hose unattended. I had sucked up my favorite peacock and he was dead. Since then, I rubber band a piece of fibreglass screen over the hose intake if I'm not watching the hose tip.

I know this is probably not what happened to you, just thought I'd share with the gang.

It's true, I'm a fan of the biodiversity. If I wanted no pesky critters, I could have set my reef up like my cichlid tank: a big pile of Richard's dry rock, some dead sand, and a little grawdoo from a tank at my LFS to get the bacteria going.... I'll fish out a few bad 'uns to get so many good 'uns.