Pictures of my new Mantis Tank setup (minus the Mantis)

[turkish]

here are two pictures of my Mantis Tank (minus the Mantis).

- 5.5 gallon (glass. risky, i know)
- 50W Marineland Visi-Therm Heater
- AquaClear Mini
- AquaClear 301 Powerhead
- Crushed Coral
- Acrylic Tube (tunnel)

the AquaClear Mini isn't in the picture because it's cycling in another tank.

i also plan to buy two plastic plants to put around the piece of coral.

i'm also planning on shielding the heater with some acrylic tubing.

i'm picking up my new Peacock Mantis tomorrow. my LFS said it should be around 3 inches.

i have a question about the tunnel. do you think the Mantis will use it as his home? i heard that they like to cover the opening, but what will it use? the crushed coral?

basically, i just want to know about the behaviour it will show in my tank.

Tony.

 

[turkish]

here's a closeup of the tunnel.

also, i forgot to mention, that i plan on taking the thermometer out so the Mantis doesn't break it.

Tony.

 

[slylie]

hmmm... I'm no expert on the manits shrimp as I've never kept one, matter of fact, but I've been in the hobby of keeping piranha for 5 years.

I would go with a smaller tube.. that one looks way to big for the mantis to feel secure in. Another thing, I'd get rid of the dead coral. In a tank with a predatory fish, anything where protien and stuff can get trapped is just a problem, and hard to clean. Go for something smoother where matter can't get trapped. Maybe a few pounds of liverock?

 

[Kara]

I have noticed that my mantis loves to explore and play in his tank. He's very curious and can often be found peeking in rock holes, scurrying on and examining the branch rock I have in the tank and peeking through the macroalgae.

I would say that your tank looks kinda spartan. Don't get too attached to where the plastic plants you are putting in the tank are. From what I've observed, Mantis' love to rearrange things.

I'm gonna say go with LR, you can always use a tube and cover it with the rock. The sand you used to cover the tube won't be there for long. These shrimp can dig like madmen! You'll see 'sand storms' in the tank until the mantis gets things just so. They can move a LOT of sand.

You need some rubble, snail shells and stuff for the mantis to decorate with.

They are very smart creatures with lots of personality. From what I've read, a mantis can get 'bored'. I think of mine kinda like a little kid.

 

[turkish]

thanks for the replies everybody.

i'm going to Tap Plastics today to get a smaller tube. the one
i have right now is clear, so it's not that dark inside of the tunnel. i'm thinking of maybe buying a tube with a tint of some sort. maybe dark blue or blue.

i knew that the Mantis would move stuff around in the tank. i just be annoyed if it decided to build a home somewhere other than the tunnel i made for it. i guess i'm just gonna wait and see and adjust to whatever it does.

Tony.

 

[Kara]

Ok, I took a picture of the tank and Roy in the tank so you could see the tank/mantis size relationship.

 

[Kara]

Roy in the tank.

 

[slylie]

Wow. Nice looking setup Kara. I was never a fan of plastic plants, but I like what you got there.. looks really nice.

:rollface:

 

[Creade]

If those are plastic plants, I quitwith my trying to grow macro.

Creade

 

[Kara]

The plants in my picture are live.. I not a fan of plastic plants

 

[turkish]

well, after waiting and waiting to get a Mantis Shrimp, i decided to take my deposit back. their wholesaler is "Pan Ocean," and as of right now, they didn't have any Mantis Shrimps.

so, i'm on the seach again. i'm trying to find stores in my area that don't buy through Pan Ocean, in hopes on finally finding a Mantis.

gonna go check out some Ranch 99 markets today. i doubt it though.....

 

[JPF]

questions

questions

Kara can you tell me a little about your tank? I want to set up the same thing. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. What type tank is it? What do you use for circulation? WHat type lighting? I appreciate your time.

Jim

 

[slylie]

Sorry Kara, I thought for a second they were fake... but none the less, your setup looks wicked.