Thinking of starting a Mantis tank

[Spiffyguy]

I have a 10 gallon tank I was using as a QT tank. It was never medicated so no copper worries. I have a strip light that it came with and a hagen AC50. I would get a new heater since the one I have is glass, just in case. Would this be a suitable habitat for a Mantis? I can always mod the AC50 for a fuge if need be but I figured a Mantis probably wouldn't need that.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Thurge]

Sounds good. Just look for one of the smaller species such as the N.wennera from TBS and it should be good for life. Otherwise if you get something like a Peacock yo may want to upgrade in the future to an acrylic tank.

 

[Spiffyguy]

Would the strip light be ok or would I need to upgrade to a small PC fixture? Idea is to use what I have and not have to buy too much. Also would modding out the AC50 be recommended? or you think stock with a sponge and maybe some LR rubble be good enough? I would do 1-2 gallon water changes a week when I do my 24 gallon.

Thanks for the info. I will go check out the N. wennera on Ron's page.

 

[lost1st manty:(]

be careful do you homework they can smash through glass with the power of a .22 calibur bullet, so think of reinforcing glass with plexiglass custom fit which is what i did, though my 1st manty didnt survive acclimation i am going to try again but not expensive mail order i have a apb out for one in all atlanta pet shops, if they see or find one on there live rock. wiil be alot cheaper and hopefully easier transintion and acclimation for them, ill keep you posted keep me posted on yours

 

[Thurge]

While mantis do pack a wholip, the .22 cal bulletrefference, is in regards to the largest species of Smashing Mantis. Someone on here reasently mentioned that their N.wennera smacked them and it didn't break the skin. Hurt like the dickens but no blood.

Strip light will be perfectly find. Mantis tanks don't need much lihgt unless its a Mantis Reef.
AC50 will ge a great filter, I have a Mellinium on my mantis tank, stuffed to the gills with LR rubble. I think you can skip the Fuge mod and just run it like a normal HOB filter.

 

[Spiffyguy]

I do plan on cutting a peice of 1/8 plexi to fit the bottom of the tank. I know that they can burrow and want to make sure the bottom is smack proof. I may make a modified overflow for the corner where my AC50 will go. Should help with surface skim and maybe be big enough to hide the heater from any smashing arms.

I am about to start looking into that spieces and its needs. I have seen some say they put in some PVC tubes for them to burrow in. Is this a good idea? I plan to put in sand and LR, not sure amount at this time but I am open to suggestions.

Thanks

 

[Fuegofish777]

i think as long as you have some porous live rock you can skip the pvc. JMO

 

[Spiffyguy]

Ok I was thinking about trying to so a sort of rubble zone feel. Plant some Halimeda and maybe some other type of macro like that. Use 3 or 4 chunks of rock the size of softball maybe and a bunch of rubble and shells. Still planning it out at this point. Not sure on substrate as I want something that would be good to burrow in but all good for any plants to root in. Still researching that one. But probably have at least 2 inches but maybe 3.

 

[Spiffyguy]

would this be some good substrate? I figured the shells would help with burrow building.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CS0417

 

[Hutton]

cant see the link, if it is crushed coral use sand and put some aquarium ssafe shells in there, mine has never used the bit of crushed coral i put in his tank. they seem to like to use shells they like, i think it all depends on color, for instence my g smithii will only use shells that have coraline and algae on them, along with white shells with rusty paterns on them. he will not touch black shells or olive green shells.

 

[Spiffyguy]

Here is the discription from the item.

"Seaflor Super Reef Sand 1.2-4.0mm diameter grain. This mixed grade (of Seaflor Special Grade and small shells) is also ideal for nitrate reducing systems or simply as reef tank bottom cover. The addition of small shells makes this an ideal substrate for tanks with mature jawfish, or burrowing inverts."

basicly seems like reef grade with some shells mixed in. I have a few snail shells in my main tank that will get moved over. Maybe the hermits will get moved too, as a tastey meal lol.

I was thinking about planting out some macro, halimeda and mabe some sort of grass. not sure how they would do with this substrate though. I guess something that has holdfasts and not actual roots would probably be best. Once I get the tank cycled I will have to try to locate a mantis. I see alot of people have g. smithii, are these more common then N. wennera? Should I be looking for one of those too/instead to keep my options open?

One other question I have is: I am trying to figure out the best set up for my AC50. I was planning on pulling out the carbon and the ceramic bead things. But I want a sponge or poly to do some mechanical fileration but I want to put some LR rubble in there too. I am torn as to the best set up. Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks