Questions on setup.

[Fuegan]

Hello everyone.
Ive been reading the mantis / ceph / nano threads on this board for quite some time and recently I put together my JBJ 12g nano again and im looking for something interesting that ive never kept.

Here are the tank specs.
15lbs of sand.
15lbs rock
2x24W PC 50/50 lights.
I am replacing the standard return pump with a 260gph pump which I am going to attach to two spray bars to diffuse the flow. One will be on the back of the tank one will be on the right wall. (stage right)

Picture is here: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Yraen/aq1.jpg

The tank is cycling and I am really in no hurry to cram something in there. I want it done right or else I will find something more suited to my aquarium and equipment.

So my questions are...

How deep should the sandbed be for a small species of smasher?

Are the lights too bright?

Any other advice or constructive criticism would be particularly appreciated. Even if it is "Try something else more suited to your tank"

thanks for taking time to check out this thread.

 

[rwhhunt]

lights should be fine with most species, I wouldnt go with a peacock for a tank this size, for they get quite large and powerful, I really want put a N wennerea in a 12 JBJ, i think they would be very colorful and you have a nice open foreground for interactions and feedings!

 

[Fuegan]

Thank you for your response.

I am sure I will stock the tank a dozen times in my imagination before I finally settle on something.

The LFS im looking at getting the mantis from has a number of small lime green guys and a couple of black ones with white bands on the tail. I will try and get some pictures for an ID before purchase.