Simple Mantis Tank?

Good tips Mel. I would also forgo the PVC and just add a little coarser substrate and plenty of rubble. Watching them build and rebuild their home is half the fun and gives the Mantis a little something to do in the tank.;D

 

Yea, I might have a small LED desk lamp somewhere from my move, it's not super bright but not too dim either, if it comes down to it I have a desk lamp I don't use. Probably replace it with a low power bulb and let it go.

I agree with the heater, In Texas (where it's only cold 2 months out of the year at most) I should have no problem keeping the thing at temperature. If it does get too hot I could add a clip on desktop fan to the side of the tank to blow over the top of the water right? Seems like that would be the best way to cool the thing down, but it's usually around 80 deg upstairs during the day, I won't worry too much about it.

 

Update: Going out on sunday to buy the live rock and a refractometer, should have everything set up sunday night. Will have pics for you guys of during setup and such.

 

Just finished setting the tank up, going to do my first set of tests tomorrow after class.

imgur: the simple image sharer

Once the water clears up I`ll move the sand back the way it should be.

 

looks good. Make sure if you do not have the water level all the way to the top of the tank that you mark the tank somehow with tape,etc so you can keep up on the water levels easily.

You will be amazed at how fast water will evaporate from that thing, causing teh salinity to rise!

 

I marked it on the backside behind the filter, checked it with a hydrometer this morning and the salinity was pretty high, going to swap some of the water for straight distilled when I get home tonight and see how far that lowers it.

Blue Zoo Aquatics just sold both the mantis shrimp they had on there, I might just order the N. Wennerae from TBS since that seems like the best option.

 

Been messing with the salinity of the water, I only get an accurate reading off of my hydrometer about once every 20 tries, otherwise the arm sinks to the bottom and just sits there or never rises period. Gave me a reading of 1.021 earlier, so I scooped out some water, mixed in more salt, and added it to the tank.

Now the arm doesn't even rise up off of the little rest it sits at with water in it, but it freely moves when i tilt it to the side.

I've checked everywhere and not a single LFS sells refractometers, I'm hoping I get it as close as I can to being right and can keep it that way.

other params:
PH - 7.4
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - between 0 and 5 ppm

Best reading on my salinity before the hydrometer went berserk on me was 1.023, didn't add much salt in but It should be as close as i'll get it to 1.025

 

i would order a refract online. until it comes, bring a sample to your LFS and they can give you a reading on it. Mantis do not take swings in salinity very well so accuracy is important

 

Ordered the refractometer online, just found a bobber my dad used to used to make his home brew beer. Checked it with that and it`s right at 1.025, going to keep an eye on it in the meantime.

Update on the tank, clear water and a clear view of the rocks.

imgur: the simple image sharer

 

Just drove back home and walked in to check on my tank, saw something about as long as a pencil eraser dart under some of my live rock. Turned off the light for a while and when I came back in and turned it on it was out and about again. Looks like some kind of baby shrimp, can't really get a good ID though.

I'm thinking I should pick up some freezedried food tomorrow and start dropping little bits of that to see if whatever it is will come out and eat it. Haven't done the water test but it looks like I might get to skip the whole cycle process.

More updates for you guys tomorrow, hopefully I can take a picture of the little guy soon to help get an ID.