planning new mantis tank - help appreciated

[danskim]

Well more like I've been planning for many months, and all my stuff has just been sitting there.

I am planning on buying live rock from TBS and hoping to get a N. Wen with the rock.

For those who got mantis hitchhikers in your TBS rock, what kind did you get?

For now, I am planning on only about 25 lbs of base rock since it'll be a tank mostly for the mantis. Is this enough? Too much?

The tank is a 29 gal with skimmer, powerheads, weak pc lighting, etc.
There is about a 3" layer of inert sand + about 15 lbs of live sand I will be ordering at the same time.
I may eventually add a few small fish and other (safe) companions.

What do you guys think? Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[rwhhunt]

When I ordered two mantids from TBS, I got 1 wennerea and one Oerstedii Both about 1.5-2" a 29 gal would be huge for one, I keep my wennerae in a 5, and my friend has his oerstedii in a 10

Oerstedii:

Wennerae:

 

[danskim]

Do you use any kind of filtration in those small tanks?

Originally I was planning on putting a Peacock in the 29, but they are hard to acquire so I hear and have experienced.

 

[danskim]

Also, what kind of lighting do you use? Sorry, I'm a real newbie =)
I'm also in the midst of finals...

But after reading your post, I may start out with a 10 gallon first and then perhaps acquire a Peacock for later.

 

[Devildogg9745]

If it is a glass tank you may want to concider putting an acrillic sheet under the sand. My mantis taps on the glass all the time. He has not caused a problem but I am going to line the bottom for my piece of mind.

 

[danskim]

Ok, thanks for the tip.

 

[danskim]

Oh yeah... pictures would be great!

 

[fischcrazy]

whats TBS?

 

[danskim]

Tampa Bay Saltwater. They are a Reef Central sponsor and specialize in aquacultured live rock.

 

[danskim]

Anyone using a JBJ nanocube? A 12 gallon might be nice...

 

[rwhhunt]

the JBJ would look nice, I probably wouldnt put a peacock in there for the long run...

 

[danskim]

Oh, I was planning on the nano cube for an N. wen

 

[danskim]

Let's see some pictures!

 

[fischcrazy]

did your rock come in yet?