questiones.

[tirtguyll]

i think i want a smasher type that is pretty cheap and doesnt get very big (maby like 4-5 inches full grown) i would keep it in a 10 gallon tank (acyrilic) i want to know:
1)i want crushed coral as a substrate. will this keep the ph right?

2)is it better to have a deep substrate for burrowing or live rock?

3)i know i need a heater, filter, and do i need a special uvb light or is a regular plant/aquarium flourescent light enough?

4)how much would a skimmer cost?

5)what do i use for the gravity and how much is the tool to check it? do i need this?

6)how do i keep the salt level right?

7)do i need to worry about him chipping a hole in the bottum of the acrylic?

8)and what else would you reccomend? thanks a billion for answering any or all

 

[nubreefer]

Dude you gotta read up on marine aquariums a little more first. Specific gravity has to do with salt content and you can get a cheapo hydrometer or a nicer but slightly more pricey refractometer to check the specific gravity. I'd get a coralife super skimmer 1, they're like 20 bux. You have to mix the saltwater to the right salinity and temperature, aerate it and do water changes. For day to day evaporation which raises salinity you need to top of with reverse osmosis\ deionized water(which you should be using for all the tank water and can get at the supermarket). The regular bulb is fine for the mantis but not for corals etc. I wouldn't go with a substrate over 2" deep as it can cause problems for unexperienced aquarists. Just get a piece of black or grey PVC to make an artificial burrow.

also, you need to cycle the tank with about 1 to 2 pounds of live rock before you put your mantis in. If you're getting a big smasher like Odontodactylus Scyllarus you're going to want a titanium heater or someplace outside your tank like a sump or refugium to stick your glass heater. And I'd get aragonite for substrate.