Tank Set-Up

[psychodave]

Ok, I have a 30 gal ready to go. Ive got about 18lbs live rock and about 10-15 lbs base rock. Ive got very fine sand and a xenia and some button polyps, my light is a coralife lunar aqualight 2x65 watt, roughly 4.3 watts per gallon.

My question is this:

Everyone seems to have pvc in the tank for the mantis's shelter...is this necissary? The rock in my tank isnt very big, all are small chunks, the biggest being about the size of a softball. Being as im making this a reef tank, should I remove some rock and add the pvc before i add any more coral or the mantis?

 

[Hutton]

i personaly hate the look of pvc, could you make a cave out of the rock?

 

[psychodave]

I dunno how stable a cave would be...here this is the tank

 

[Fuegofish777]

i have never used pvc, i think its looks bad. unless you hide a piece into the rockwork. that could always make for a nice hidden cave.

 

[psychodave]

yeah, if i were to put pvc in it i would hide it under the rock. But do you think one could burro or live comfertably in the existing rock work?

 

[Thurge]

Its not necessary, there is no guarantee it will actually use the pipe. It could very well decide it likes another nook better.

 

[psychodave]

Right on! Then Im gunna get a few more corals before the mantis!! Thanks!