What kind of filter ??

twintrades · 03/22/2010, 08:10 AM

Thinking about starting a 5 gal mantis tank. What kind of filter would you people recomend ?

A rapids mini canister ? 80 gph with spray bar. Filter floss activated carbon and ceramic cylinders.

Or a tetra whisper intank (or hob) 90 gph but only takes there filters.

Or a sub current internal wet dry? 160 gph with dual out put nozzels? But they call it a surface skimmer.

I was thinking the canister wouldbe best what do you think ?

Thurge · 03/22/2010, 08:54 AM

I actually like the sub current. It isn't big, and you can take the filter media it comes with, leave that in the box, and jam it full of Live Rock rubble. Its essentially a skimmer box that has a HOB filter built in. Then again in a 5 gallon tank its probably going to take up a considerable ammount of the room in the tank.

Personally I recommend a 10 gallon as the minimum and prefer to keep my mantis in at least a 15 gallon. There is more room for the mantis to wander around (its going to be its home after all), there is more water volume to dilute metabolic waste, there is more water volume making the water chemestery a little more stable...

Conductive · 03/22/2010, 11:19 PM

I'm with thurge on this one, you want at least a 10 gallon. I had a 6 gallon for a while, but the mantis seemed cramped and mantaining good water quality was a constant struggle, even with regular water changes.

Right now I have a good sized G. smithii in a 10 gallon, and am able to keep the water pretty clean with a HOB w/carbon, around 15 lb of live rock, macro algae, plenty of water movement, and a 5 gallon wc every week or two. I like the looks of that sub current, may have to give it a try.

If I had the cash I would also like to plumb a sump with a nice skimmer or a refugium but oh well.

03/22/2010, 08:10 AM	#1
twintrades Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 670	What kind of filter ?? Thinking about starting a 5 gal mantis tank. What kind of filter would you people recomend ? A rapids mini canister ? 80 gph with spray bar. Filter floss activated carbon and ceramic cylinders. Or a tetra whisper intank (or hob) 90 gph but only takes there filters. Or a sub current internal wet dry? 160 gph with dual out put nozzels? But they call it a surface skimmer. I was thinking the canister wouldbe best what do you think ?

03/22/2010, 08:54 AM	#2
Thurge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 2,707	I actually like the sub current. It isn't big, and you can take the filter media it comes with, leave that in the box, and jam it full of Live Rock rubble. Its essentially a skimmer box that has a HOB filter built in. Then again in a 5 gallon tank its probably going to take up a considerable ammount of the room in the tank. Personally I recommend a 10 gallon as the minimum and prefer to keep my mantis in at least a 15 gallon. There is more room for the mantis to wander around (its going to be its home after all), there is more water volume to dilute metabolic waste, there is more water volume making the water chemestery a little more stable... __________________ What have you done with my Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator Earthling? The memories of a man in his old age, Are the deeds of a man in his prime. Pink Floyd

03/22/2010, 11:19 PM	#3
Conductive Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 89	I'm with thurge on this one, you want at least a 10 gallon. I had a 6 gallon for a while, but the mantis seemed cramped and mantaining good water quality was a constant struggle, even with regular water changes. Right now I have a good sized G. smithii in a 10 gallon, and am able to keep the water pretty clean with a HOB w/carbon, around 15 lb of live rock, macro algae, plenty of water movement, and a 5 gallon wc every week or two. I like the looks of that sub current, may have to give it a try. If I had the cash I would also like to plumb a sump with a nice skimmer or a refugium but oh well. Last edited by Conductive; 03/22/2010 at 11:26 PM.