Squilla empusa

[hmpit_ags2006]

So I have found a couple of these at my LFS and was wondering how deep of a sand bed I could go with. I am going to go with a 20g tall and my apt. temperature stays in the low 70's so I should be ok since they kind of like cooler waters. I was just wondering how much mud I should get to put in there. I was thinking about 6-8" should be enough since it burrows in mud and gets to about 7" as an adult. Any comments would be appreciated.
Linky
Thanks,
-G

 

[hmpit_ags2006]

I was using one of the calculators to figure out about how much I need and it is about 140lbs of mud to get a 6-8" sand bed in a 20g tall. I am going to get it offshore, but man that is going to be a lot of buckets and a huge pain doing it.

 

[Altpers0na-old]

cant you put in a wall and use less mud over all.

 

[hmpit_ags2006]

These stomatopods get to about 7" I don't think a wall would work.

 

[30mini]

Yea, a wall would work! Make a wall at the half way mark in your tank, and only fill up the sand in the front of that wall! The back would then be your extra buffer water, and maybe a place to keep food when your not feeding!

 

[hmpit_ags2006]

I am still not following y'all. I am just going to fill it up normally with mud.

 

[30mini]

Get some plexi that will fit inside your tank. Make sure it's 1/4" b/c 1/8" will flex too much and won't hold. Silicone it in about 1/2 way in your tank, dividing it into two sections. This will then allow you to not have all that mud, and have the other half filled with water for food or filtration!

 

[hmpit_ags2006]

but I think a 7" mantis needs quite a bit of room, that is my only problem with using a wall for the sand bed therefore eliminating half of the tank.

 

[30mini]

what size tank are you using? A 7" mantis will need at least a 10.5" sandbed!

 

[hmpit_ags2006]

On Dr. Roy's list it states a 80l tank which is about 20g. I was going to go with a 20g tall. They make U shaped burrows, so I think a 8" sand bed would work. 7" is their max adult size which usually doesn't happen but I want to be ethical here just incase it does get that big. I might go with a 29g instead, but not sure.

 

[30mini]

You would be better off going with a 29g, and making an 11" sandbed! If you cut the 29 in half, you will have a 6" x 11" sandbed! That's good sized for a mantis that doesn't leave the burrow!

 

[hmpit_ags2006]

So should I make it like an all in one tank with the divider running lengthwise? Or should I do it some other way?

 

[30mini]

You got it! Run the divider lengthwise, put all the sand in one side, and make the other side full of water or make it your sump! Would look nice! You don't really need a lot of flow going through it, so like a minijet or a real small mag would be fine!

 

[hmpit_ags2006]

Cool, thanks for you help. I will put almost all the LR in the back for a fuge. And set it up with some compartments for removable media.

 

[30mini]

There ya go!! Perfect! Self contained system... go for it, and show us when your done!

 

[hmpit_ags2006]

Alright I will keep y'all posted on my progress.

 

[Altpers0na-old]

i see an 11" cube of sand, or a long ways split, could even do a diagonal wall instead of a vertical... lots of options, all of which involve a ton of sand...

 

[hmpit_ags2006]

That is the only thing kind of bothering me is I don't know if a false wall can support that much weight.

 

[Altpers0na-old]

i dont think that the sideways pressure will be that much.

i havent done it either, no warrenty on my advice....

 

[30mini]

Dr. Roy could chime in... he has done it more than once I'm sure!