My mantis tank

[jb61264]

Finally grabbed some photos of my modified 10 gallon mantis tank...I have a neogonodactylus wennerae which you can't see too well in the last shot...he/she is very shy and hangs out in its burrow in the live rock...but it has also dug quite a little lair out beneath the rocks because there is another exit from its burrow under the rock so there is a huge hideaway underneath the rocks as well that it has dug out

Full tank shot:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/176257mantis-full-tank.gif

Closeup of the lair:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/176257mantis-lair.gif

Closeup of mantis peaking out of its burrow in the live rock:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/176257Mantis-in-rock.gif

[lionbacker54]

nice tank, thanks for sharing!

[nikesb4l]

that sump setup is awesome, good idea.

[jb61264]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14825053#post14825053 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nikesb4l
that sump setup is awesome, good idea. Thanks, it seems to be working pretty well so far. I have enough flow from the pump in the tank that any debris that might stir up, flows into the sump and settles...quick siphon during a water change.

Just running the crappy little Oceanic skimmer that came with my BioCube (since I replaced it on the BioCube with a CPR Aquatics skimmer). Isn't the greatest but better than nothing I guess. Actually working on modifying that Oceanic skimmer a bit as I type...ordered some rigid tubing that is the exact same diameter as the Oceanic mid section and will make it as long as possible to fit in the 10 gallon sump...more contact time with bubbles can't hurt :)

[Tangalong]

Neat tank and great shots...lucky you to know about doing all that stuff...couldn't get anyone to help me so had to order refugium..bummer...I saw a 30 gal cube w/stand on sale today at LPS (they don't do marine) was a Marineland...for 150.00..came sooo close. But my 35 Hex is enough for now...better times will come.lol

[gozermantis]

nice dude it looks great. i was thinking about doing something similar in a 33 long.

[micstarz]

Eh? I think sumps like that waste tank space...you should get some macroalgae in there and make it a fuge...nice setup, though!

[Superstretch18]

There's a special place in my heart for mantis shrimp... as long as they aren't in the main tank. Honestly, they are super interesting. That's a great set-up to boot! Any idea what species?

Just be careful as that thing grows; a big mantis shrimp can bust the glass on a 10 gallon if provoked! (don't ask...)

[jb61264]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14827073#post14827073 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by micstarz
Eh? I think sumps like that waste tank space...you should get some macroalgae in there and make it a fuge...nice setup, though! Funny you should say that, I actually am considering doing just that...although I don't think is completely a waste of space as it keeps the pump and skimmer sort of isolated from the main display area.

[jb61264]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14827154#post14827154 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Superstretch18
There's a special place in my heart for mantis shrimp... as long as they aren't in the main tank. Honestly, they are super interesting. That's a great set-up to boot! Any idea what species?

Just be careful as that thing grows; a big mantis shrimp can bust the glass on a 10 gallon if provoked! (don't ask...) I think mantis shrimp are absolutely fascinating as well and like you...as long as they aren't in the main tank, which this one was for quite some time...probably had him in my main tank for 8-10 months before I worried he was too big and was causing problems...he trashed a firefish and I think a Rainsford goby as well so it was time to move it out. It is a Neogonodactylus wennerae and I think it is about as full grown as its going to get (around 2" long right now. I put a deeper sand bed in the tank just for that very reason so he wouldn't get to the bottom and start pounding away..so far so good :)

[micstarz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14827154#post14827154 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Superstretch18
There's a special place in my heart for mantis shrimp... as long as they aren't in the main tank. Honestly, they are super interesting.

Ahahahaha! And for me? No tank is a main tank without a mantis shrimp. I'd sooner have a 10 gal with a mantis shrimp than a 30gal full blown reef.

[Superstretch18]

^^^LOL!!!

It's funny, I didn't even realize that there was a specific sub-forum for Mantis Shrimp on this board! I guess you guys know what you're doing then! :)

Sorry total noob here. Very cool though!

[micstarz]

Haha! :D Well you have 10 years experience...I have a couple years less than you...and I'm only 14 ;P

[Mrs. Suzy Smith]

Cute tank..I'm looking into a similar set up but maybe 20 gallons, I want it big enough so that I will not need to switch over when my mantis is full grown...