Mantis!

[timpetty]

OK...

Im currently planning a mantis tank. I must say 100% inspired by chrissaysyes. I needed a tank in the living room and this would be perfect because it is entertaining and can be small. Im hoping for around a 10 gal.

Anyway, the reason for this post is to inquire about what thickness glass I would need for a mantis, in particular a Neogonodactylus wennerae. If anyone can help I would appreciate it.

Also, any cheap tanks anyone would like to get rid of would be appreciate. Im also looking to add a fuge. So anything is welcome!

Thanks!!!

Tim

 

[SkiFletch]

N wennerae are NOT notorious for being glass breakers. Their only real propensity to do so is if they dig through the sand under some rocks and encounter glass. They may try to break it then. Easiest way to avoid this is to put a "sacrificial" piece of acrylic along the bottom of the tank (say 1/8-1/4" thick). Then, IF the mantid does dig under the rockwork, it encounters the acrylic. And if it smacks the acrylic and breaks it... Meh, so be it. Your bottom glass is still fine and thus so is the tank. Make sense?

 

[timpetty]

Perfect, Thanks

 

[craigybaby37]

Another person setting up a mantis after being inspired by chrissaysyes as i sure was lol

As ski says put a piece of acrylic in about 6mm thick and silicone it in. Just dont be a plum like me and get carried away an get the sand, liverock and water in the tank and then completely forget about the acrylis bottom i was ment to put in so had to take everything out the tank doh.

Ime hoping to get the same mantis as you or a gonodactylus smithii which u may want to have a look at but there are basicly the same as the neogonodactylus wennerae all thats different is the colours.

 

[timpetty]

Haha dont think im not following your thread too craig! Duly noted. I made the assumption it would be easier to get neogonodactylus wennerae since im in the US. But I have seen gonodactylus smithii and would be just as happy if that is more available to me. Thanks for the input. Will be following your progress!

 

[craigybaby37]

ha ha glad your takin note of my mistake. ime the same as you ill be happy with either of the mantis shirmps. Seems to be gettin more popular now with people setting up mantis tanks.

will keep an eye on this thread and see how things are progressing.

 

[timpetty]

UPDATE:

Moving forward on my mantis tank plans. I'm trying to keep this as inexpensive as possible. Im thinking of putting the 70w Viper HQI on the tank because its fairly cheap and would like to keep a couple other things in the tank. Couple stocking questions.....

Would a neogonodactylus wennerae bother:

Corals?
Clam?
Fish?

This is going to be only arond 10gal main with a sump most likely.

 

[SkiFletch]

Corals, not really. They can/will move small frags if they're not glued down. More mature colonies though will be fine.

Clams, will be just fine. Just make sure you get one at least 3" long, as these are easier to keep

Fish, depends on the fish and size of the fish. I wouldn't use somethin like a clownfish who sleeps out in the open, bottom dwellers like gobies, or small fish. Something a little spunky like a larger pseudochromis or damselfish would prolly do just fine with one.

 

[timpetty]

Thanks ski, Guess Ill have to rethink spending the money on a Halide. Maybe ill still buy it though to have a light on the tank and once the mantis makes his "home" ill start adding corals. What do you think about this?

 

[nanocubeking]

Get the tank settled and then add your corals.

Edit: One thing I have learned for chris's nano is that you need to make sure you have enough dark places for the mantis and he won't plug up holes with corals.

 

[timpetty]

Will a Viper HQI Clamp Lamp be sufficient for a 10gal rectangle tank? Im planning on a clam, hard corals and mantis. There is a 70w and a 150w. I was thinking since its such a small tank, the 70w would be sufficient to handle anything in there, I may be wrong though.

I was just concerned it wouldnt throw light wide enough to flood the whole tank. Anyone with experience please let me know...

 

[SkiFletch]

Should be plenty

 

[timpetty]

Went to a LFS today and found 10gal tanks for $15 (US). Seems rather inexpensive. Just wondering if in anyone's experience they know whether the glass will be too thin for a mantis on the side. I will be using acrylic to line the bottom but am worried about a mishap on the sides. The tank gave no information on the thickness of the glass. Due to my lack of experience, I can only describe it as "average" thickness haha

 

[SkiFletch]

Depends on the mantis, but usually those small enough to permanently live in a 10g don't go after the sides. Really the only common species I'd be worried about breaking side glass would be Odontactylus Scyllarus and they're not good in tanks less than 30g longerm anyways

 

[timpetty]

Thanks, Ill pick up a set of those tomorrow (as display and sump). Ordered all necessary plumbing from MarineDepot today. Cant wait to get going on this!