getting into a tank

[svynx]

Hi guys. I think I have made a decision on what mantis I would like to have: Neogonodactylus wennerae. I've seen quite a few setups with this guy in them, and it's quite a range of tank sizes. I'm looking at the 8 gal biocube, the 12 gal Nano cube, or the 12 gal Aquapod. I'd like to be able to put a skimmer inside the fliltration area, but I don't know if that is possible. I like the personallities of the N. wennerae, so I'd like to build around them. Any help on the subject on which tank to go with and filtration will be helpfull. I understand that these guys can be "messy" eaters, which requires good filtration and regular WC's. That's why I'd like to have a skimmer on the tank. And if possible, have it hidden under the canopy.
Thanks in advance
Joel

[schudini]

Well, I have a wennerae in a 12 gal nanocube. Everything is going well so far. He hasn't struck the glass, but the manufacturer says it's all tempered, so I'm not worried.

You might be able to fit a skimmer in the filtration area, if it's the really small air-powered one that is available (and I don't know how well that actually works). I don't know if it will fit under the canopy though.

I have seen people add a small sump hidden in the stand and put a hang on skimmer there (it also adds to the water volume for increased stability). Just an idea.

[schudini]

Also, you can click on the red house to see the mantis shrimp webcam.

[svynx]

LOL. I've been watching him for the past week. He's one reason why I picked the N. wennerae. I've enjoyed watching him. Quite active.

[Koshmar]

I think the messy eater subject is a little overblown because it depends on what you feed your little buddy. If you feed it mysis, then ya, they can get messy. If they capture their own food, snails or hermits, it's usually quick and spotless. It's like they like the shell dry. You don't really need a sump, a little refugium would work too. I have a juvenile N. wennerae and he's really active. Most of the posts I've seen about the small skimmers have been negative. They don't seem to work very well. I have a skimmer in my sump and it mostly collects the sand my MS kicks up. Just my 2 cents.

[lionbacker54]

i have an aquamedic nanowave 9g. it has a built in venturi protein skimmer that gets good reviews, and even a new first time aquarist like me regularly gets foam from it. it also has a built in refugium with its own light that i will put chaeto in. zombo (another poster here) found a great place to get these for just $89, delivered. its a wholesaler in colorado that gets them from germany cheap because the hinges are sometimes broken on the main lid. however, mine ended up not broken. customer service was great. the first tank they sent me leaked, so they sent a replacement right away and just let me keep the other one for spare parts.

the website is
http://aquariumwholesaledirect.com/aquamedicnanowave9.aspx

[svynx]

Thanks lionb:
I did some research on the nanowave. Looks good, especially with the fuge light and a decient skimmer. Looks like I found my tank. I'll pick one up early January.
I guess the only question I have now is would a N. wennerae be happy in a 9 gallon tank? And if not, what MS would be happy? I'd like to have a colorful and very active one. The tank is going to be set up on my desk at work (my office is finally getting some personal additions).

[lionbacker54]

i am planning on getting an n.wennerae, and the advice i'd gotten is that 9g is just fine. i had thought about getting a p.ciliata, but everyone told me that they need at least 20g.

[Koshmar]

I have my one inch N. wennerae in about a five gallon space in my 20 long. Yours should do fine in a nine gallon. They love rock work and little spaces to move through.

[svynx]

Little update: Early January came, well, early. I bought the tank yesterday. Shipping takes about a week. I've been searching for the N. wennerae. I know about stomatopod.com. They don't have one right now. And neither does TBsaltwater.com. Is there any other place I could look for one?
Thanks.

[lionbacker54]

dude, first of all, your avatar is hilarious. just noticed it now.

second, that is a bummer to hear that tbs is out of wennerae. i had been banking on them. only other sites i know of are liveaquaria.com and hydrosreef.com, but they only have o.scyllarus.

[svynx]

I might end up PM'ing Roy and seeing where he get's his, seeing that he has so many of them.

[crysis]

Yea, Im having trouble finding a peacock. No luck yet, but the search must go on.

[lionbacker54]

if you find out from roy where to get a wennerae, let me know.

and crysis, i think there are both large and small peacocks available at hydrosreef.com

[crysis]

I saw that, but Im worried about their id'ing.

[svynx]

Same goes for my LFS. They have one now, with a name (not sure what, but he is about 4"), and they said that they could get me what I wanted. But the guy did say that their supplier is kinda sketchy at the ID thing. At least he was honest.

[Koshmar]

I would just wait for stomatopod.com to get some in. If you get one from a lfs or a less reliable source then the id will probably not be right. Would you rather get a mantis species that you didn't want quickly or wait a while to get the species that you are looking forward to? Personally it's a no-brainer for me. Don't let the excitement cloud your judgement. You might end up with a chiragra if you jump the gun in buying one (like me). :eek1:

[Koshmar]

P.S. : No joke, I work at a mcdonalds and that giraffe is way too skinny. I've got stories.....:eek:

[crysis]

hahahahaha.... one of my LFS's says they can get a peacock, may take a day, may take a couple of weeks. I asked him to order it and he said no problem. We shall see... Im guessing it will be wrong but you never know. Apparently they say its tough to find a peacock this time of year, but isnt it always the same climate in those waters?

[liverock]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13975316#post13975316 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by svynx
Little update: Early January came, well, early. I bought the tank yesterday. Shipping takes about a week. I've been searching for the N. wennerae. I know about stomatopod.com. They don't have one right now. And neither does TBsaltwater.com. Is there any other place I could look for one?
Thanks.


I have plenty in stock!

I got six more day before yesterday, diving!

Richard TBS:rollface: :rollface: :rollface: :rollface: :rollface:

[crysis]

Well there you go, wennerae problem solved. Now if I only I can solve my peacock problem that easily! Its ok, not gonna be ready for her for another couple of weeks (or however long my cycle lasts)

[svynx]

Liverock: as soon as my tank cycles, I'll pm you. I'm going to use rock, water, and some sand from my existing reef to cut down on that time. Hopefully when my parameters are ok, you'll still have one.

[liverock]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13983704#post13983704 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by svynx
Liverock: as soon as my tank cycles, I'll pm you. I'm going to use rock, water, and some sand from my existing reef to cut down on that time. Hopefully when my parameters are ok, you'll still have one.

Not to worry, I always have them is stock as they are so popular!

You can thank Doctor Roy for that!

sea ya
Richard TBS:rollface: :rollface: :rollface:

[lionbacker54]

richard is the man


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13982628#post13982628 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by liverock
I have plenty in stock!

I got six more day before yesterday, diving!

Richard TBS:rollface: :rollface: :rollface: :rollface: :rollface: