finneganswake
In Memoriam
I've got a 10g nanoreef at my job; since starting a 50g reef at home, I no longer have the time to be running the constant chemistry experiments necessary to maintain two reef tanks, so I'm looking for something a little more low-maintainance at work. The 10g has a protein skimmer and pretty much all of the other necessary equipment that I think I would need with the exception of any mechanical filtration--I use a Red Sea Prizm hang-on skimmer, so there is nowhere to put any sponges or filter floss, etc. I'm pretty much planning on starting the tank from scratch, so I was wondering if there is any benefit to using live rock and live sand or if the mantis will just eat anything that would come along with it (other than the bacteria and coralline, of course). I love live rock, but honestly, if I could do away with having to measure calcium, alkalinity, etc., etc., it would let me devote more time to my 50g (otherwise referred to as my second child). Assuming that I have all the necessary mechanical equipment (heaters, pumps, etc.) what do I need to start? Also, what would I be looking at as far as feeding the mantis? Finally, are there any cleanup crew creatures that would not be killed by the mantis or am I looking at doing all the cleaning myself?
