20L - Mantis Tank Build - Gonodactylus smithii

Kelley11 · 04-30-2010, 10:50 AM

I started with a 8 Gallon Biocube which probably would of been fine for my Mantis but she looked like she needed more room and I have enjoyed watching her more then anything else so I went a little nuts. I will not transfer her into this tank until I am sure water parameters stay good. Let me know your thoughts - Good and Bad

Tank:
TruVu Acrylic Aquarium - 30x10x14
Notes: Great company to work with, I had excellent communication and they customized the openings to my specifications at no additional charge. My filter / skimmer fit perfect.

Filtration:
Emperor 280
Rio Nano Skimmer
LR: 44 Lbs Fiji LR / 10lbs of LS - Once I transfer Mantis into tank there will be close 55 lbs of LR.
Notes: While I wish I could run a sump it is just not possible in the current location (also the only location I could get approval from my wife). I like the Emperor 280 as it pulls a lot of water and the second chamber I use for nitrate sponge. The Rio will soon be upgraded to a CPR Aeroforce skimmer.

Heater:
Fluval 100 Watt
Notes: I love these heaters, easy to set and the alarm feature is great for catching your attention. They are also protected with a plastic cover (nice for when you have a curious Mantis like mine).

Lighting:
Aquaticlife T5 HO - Originally was Marineland LED

ATO:
Currently using a JBJ ATO. Simple hookup using a 5 Gallon bucket with Rio Power Head pushing water to tank. This came off my 30 Gallon Biocube that I am upgrading to a Tunze Osmolator.

Live Stock:
Currently the tank has a CUC that may become food for the Mantis and one Three Striped Damsel. I would also like to place a couple Damsels in the tank. It would be nice to have something to look at when the Mantis is molting.

Pictures:

New toys before setup

http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy27/jkelley1114/P1000501-Copy.jpg

Tank with everything in place

http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy27/jkelley1114/P1000503-Copy.jpg

Tank getting closer. LR / LS and tank water was largely from my 10 Gallon tank I had setup for almost 6 months. I am hoping there is not much of a cycle.

http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy27/jkelley1114/P1000505.jpg

Here is the tank with everything in place and CUC / Damsel back in.

http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy27/jkelley1114/P1000507.jpg

Notes: I am going to watch tank before I transfer Mantis Shrimp into this tank. I will keep thread updated.

Thanks and I look forward to feedback!

reefmonkey · 04-30-2010, 11:03 AM

Sweet set up! Your little friend will be most happy when you move her over

divott · 04-30-2010, 11:09 AM

thats an excellent looking setup kelley. your mantis is really gonna like its new pad.

cyan0304 · 04-30-2010, 05:18 PM

Nice tank! Can you take pics of your current tank with the mantis??

Kelley11 · 04-30-2010, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyan0304

Nice tank! Can you take pics of your current tank with the mantis??

Here is the current 8 gallon Biocube and of my Mantis

http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy27/jkelley1114/P1000474.jpg

latteslave · 05-01-2010, 12:53 PM

Sweet setup J!

A few of the pics aren't showing - guess I will just have to find an excuse to come see it.

stepho · 05-01-2010, 01:09 PM

Nice setup Kelley11.

Your G. smithii is going to love it.

project1 · 05-01-2010, 01:13 PM

sweet mantis! mine sits in his hole all day and ambushs the food i put in. what kinda mantis is yours?

Kelley11 · 05-01-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latteslave

Sweet setup J!

A few of the pics aren't showing - guess I will just have to find an excuse to come see it.

Sorry, fixed the links. Anytime you want to come over

. Thinking about adding her to the tank today.

Kelley11 · 05-01-2010, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by project1

sweet mantis! mine sits in his hole all day and ambushs the food i put in. what kinda mantis is yours?

She is a Purple Spot Mantis or Gonodactylus smithii if you prefer

Looks similiar to this one:

04-30-2010, 10:50 AM	#1
Kelley11 Peppermint Shrimp Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Porterville, CA Age: 41 Posts: 418 Skin: Dark Karma: 17308	20L - Mantis Tank Build - Gonodactylus smithii I started with a 8 Gallon Biocube which probably would of been fine for my Mantis but she looked like she needed more room and I have enjoyed watching her more then anything else so I went a little nuts. I will not transfer her into this tank until I am sure water parameters stay good. Let me know your thoughts - Good and Bad Tank: TruVu Acrylic Aquarium - 30x10x14 Notes: Great company to work with, I had excellent communication and they customized the openings to my specifications at no additional charge. My filter / skimmer fit perfect. Filtration: Emperor 280 Rio Nano Skimmer LR: 44 Lbs Fiji LR / 10lbs of LS - Once I transfer Mantis into tank there will be close 55 lbs of LR. Notes: While I wish I could run a sump it is just not possible in the current location (also the only location I could get approval from my wife). I like the Emperor 280 as it pulls a lot of water and the second chamber I use for nitrate sponge. The Rio will soon be upgraded to a CPR Aeroforce skimmer. Heater: Fluval 100 Watt Notes: I love these heaters, easy to set and the alarm feature is great for catching your attention. They are also protected with a plastic cover (nice for when you have a curious Mantis like mine). Lighting: Aquaticlife T5 HO - Originally was Marineland LED ATO: Currently using a JBJ ATO. Simple hookup using a 5 Gallon bucket with Rio Power Head pushing water to tank. This came off my 30 Gallon Biocube that I am upgrading to a Tunze Osmolator. Live Stock: Currently the tank has a CUC that may become food for the Mantis and one Three Striped Damsel. I would also like to place a couple Damsels in the tank. It would be nice to have something to look at when the Mantis is molting. Pictures: New toys before setup Tank with everything in place Tank getting closer. LR / LS and tank water was largely from my 10 Gallon tank I had setup for almost 6 months. I am hoping there is not much of a cycle. Here is the tank with everything in place and CUC / Damsel back in. Notes: I am going to watch tank before I transfer Mantis Shrimp into this tank. I will keep thread updated. Thanks and I look forward to feedback! Last edited by Kelley11; 05-31-2010 at 07:23 PM.

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04-30-2010, 11:03 AM	#2
reefmonkey Giant Squid Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SE South Dakota Age: 45 Posts: 4,419 Skin: Mint Karma: 11707350	Sweet set up! Your little friend will be most happy when you move her over

04-30-2010, 11:09 AM	#3
divott Giant Squid Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: holland landing, ontario ,canada Age: 52 Posts: 3,661 Skin: Classic Karma: 687859	thats an excellent looking setup kelley. your mantis is really gonna like its new pad.

04-30-2010, 05:18 PM	#4
cyan0304 Flamingo Tongue Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: chicago,il Age: 33 Posts: 117 Skin: Mint Karma: 1961	Nice tank! Can you take pics of your current tank with the mantis??

05-01-2010, 12:53 PM	#6
latteslave Astrea Snail Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 51 Skin: Mint Karma: 1576	Sweet setup J! A few of the pics aren't showing - guess I will just have to find an excuse to come see it.

05-01-2010, 01:09 PM	#7
stepho Clown Trigger Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kissimmee FL Age: 26 Posts: 2,013 Skin: Classic Karma: 650359	Nice setup Kelley11. Your G. smithii is going to love it.

05-01-2010, 01:13 PM	#8
project1 Spaghetti Worm Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: stuart FL Posts: 196 Skin: Mint Karma: 45174	sweet mantis! mine sits in his hole all day and ambushs the food i put in. what kinda mantis is yours?