Some L.maculata questions

[PeteK]

I'm interested in keeping L. maculata, but i have a few questions...
How do you deal with the really deep sand bed that L.maculata needs? I've read the threads, and would like to do the sort of split-tank method that Dr. Caldwell uses. Doesn't that kind of depth create a TON of nitrate and sulfur issues?
How much clearance above the sand level is recommended?
Has anybody had any problems with theirs in getting them to eat dead foods?
I take it that they NEED to have a vertically aligned burrow? It's not enough that they have a long burrow.. is that correct?
Thanks everyone in advance

 

[DanInSD]

I can answer one aspect of this -- no need to worry about nitrates. The bacteria that convert nitrate to nitrogen are anaerobes that thrive in deep sand. In fact a deep sand bed is a proven way of reducing nitrates. (Note: Berlin purists may disagree.) My tanks, all of which have deep sand beds, have *zero* nitrates, even with high-sensitivity tests (so less than 0.1 ppm). This includes my mantis tank.

Dan

 

[Gangsta Nemo]

Hey Petek

I have a L.Mac in a 15 high and as dan said a deep sand bed is not a problem in the tank but a must for this mantis. I have a seven inch sand bed that I add a few extra inches two every now and then to keep up with his molt rate. L. macs grow pretty fast and mine molts every three weeks or so. As far as feeding goes I feed a mixed diet of frozen foods silversides, Krill, clam, all soaked in selcon . Sometimes a damsel or four . I had some feeding issues with species at first{ look up misfit Maculata in this forum}but after some persistance all was well. As far as burrowing down.. They build very long burrows in a U shape but the sand bed needs to be almost double his length in depth. It doesn't have to be double but it's nice not to play catch up to their molting rates. Hope that helps very cool mantis.

 

[Mr Stomato]

My lmac has eaten nothing but frozen krill from day one. I put a few damsels in there but I think hes still a bit small to play