question about nano-reef to mantis tank conversion

[Shrimpi]

Hey all

I have a 24g AP. The tank has been setup for about 4 months, however, all the rock, sand, coral and critters came from my 44g I broke down which was almost a year old. I would say the system is 'stable and mature'

Current tank
AP24- stock Pc lighting
Critters: blood shrimp, pepp shrimp, pompom crab, CUC, nudibranch, etc

Corals: duncans, dendros(recently turned for the worse and Im totally bummed out), palys, alveolopora, sun coral, 'sea mat', candy cane, pompom xenia, (tube anemone), misc. zoas, monti cap, bubble mushroom, fuzzy shroom



I really want a mantis. Stomatopod.com currently has a juvenile peacock thats about an inch long that I know I could house in my 24ap. seeing as they grow about an inch a year, I dont think upgrading in the future would be a problem.

Heres my questions:

if I get rid of all the "potential prey" like all the CUC and shrimp, can I use my tank as a mantis tank? Do I have to redo the rockwork at all? I can always add rubble for him to make a cave but what do you think? Is it a bad idea? I see people with coral in thier mantis tanks so could this work? Id really love to get one, but I really dont want a separate tank, I can part with my shrimps and CUC but not my corals

Any input is greatly appreciated. Heres a fts for reference- taken this am.

Jessica.

 

[DanInSD]

This would be a great mantis tank. Beautiful. The little peacock should do fine in here for a while. However, getting it out when it gets too big for the tank will be "difficult".

Dan

 

[Shrimpi]

OH, yeah

how do you keep your tank clean if you dont have a CUC?

lol sounds stupid but Im so used to my nice white sand

I mean I can probably leave some snails and hermies in there for now because he cant eat them quite yet if hes so small, but what about later on?

 

[yankeereefer]

that's a beautiful nano, Jessica.

My suggestion would be to leave it alone. If you can afford to, start another tank for the mantis, especially if you know that you'll have to upgrade in the future.

YR

 

[Shrimpi]

Well, Im moving out of state in about a year so everything is going to bet 'moved' anyway.

Im not worried about having to transplant and get bigger tanks- just concerned with whether or not this tank, as it is would work for the mantis?