a 10gal stomopod nano

S

something

Large Fish
#1
Nov 8, 2004
129
0
0
southern CA
#1
a 10gal stomatopod nano

(this addiction is getting crazy, someone stop me!....if not for my sake, then for my bank account)


Im relatively new to the saltwater scene, ive done a bit of research and have a few books, but i still lack experience so i wanna take it slow. I realize that its easier to take care of a bigger tank, but i dont want a massive eco system, just one animal: Im looking into getting a 10gal tank for a single mantis shrimp with some live rock (small). I realize that stomatopods need 4" or more of substrate to create burrows, so should i get a 10gal tall, or even a hex?

Im looking at a mantis shrimp becuase:
a.) they rule
b.) they're supposed to be increadibly hardy
c.) they can release their maxillipeds at the same muzzle velocity of a .22 rifle round (holy crepe)
d.) they rule
e.) they rule


Can i pull this off? (I have a friend living in my dorm who has had saltwater tanks since he was a kid, so any problems i run into i can generally turn to him)

any adivice or ideas would be great.

Thanks in advance
 

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wayne

Elite Fish
#2
Oct 22, 2002
4,077
3
0
#2
Yes, this is a good idea, and should make for a good display. You might want to go less sand, more live rock, and if possible get an acrylic rather than a glass tank as the glass in 10's is scarily thin.
Your other option, if you see them locally for sale is the same setup but with a matched shrimp goby/alpheoid shrimp setup.
There's a bunch of info on similar setups wetwebmedia.com
 

S.Reef

S.Reef

Superstar Fish
#3
Dec 1, 2003
1,830
0
0
35
Michigan
#3
Yeah...Mantis Shrimp are cool. If you get one of the smaller species a ten gallon tank should be fine. However, like you said, some of the bigger ones can shatter glass. A thick tank made preferably of acrylic is waht you need. Mantis shrimp can be kept with corals...something you might want to know.
 

fishdude07

fishdude07

Superstar Fish
#5
Mar 30, 2004
1,445
0
0
34
Michigan
www.freewebs.com
#5
if i had a saltwater tank, mantis shrimp (aka thumbsplitters) would be at the top of my list for something to stock the tank with. i love them. they look awesome, and yes, they rule. id also love to see pics when you get the it going
 

S

something

Large Fish
#11
Nov 8, 2004
129
0
0
southern CA
#11
Should i avoid "spearer" mantis? or could i go with something like a peacock mantis? Im thinking ill need a 20gal for a peacock though, so i might just stick with the smasher variety.

about lighting:
Mantis shrimp have a wide spectral sensitivity, but i heard that most inverts cant see redlight. Im looking to create some sort of lighting system that wont disturb the natural day/night cycle, yet still allow me to view the mantis if im up. Can this be done? Are mantis shrimp even up at night?

thanks
 

Brie

Brie

Small Fish
#12
Nov 20, 2004
25
0
0
40
Seattle, Wa
www.darkwaveexotics.cjb.net
#12
Yes they rule...

Yes.. They rule. LOL. And nearly impossible to kill.. I have a friend who tossed one in his sump and it lived for god knows how long before he set it up an actual tank. And like others said, thick acrylic is your friend. Here's a good shot of one I got while visiting all the fish stores in Arizona last summer.. It was set up in a 10gal acrylic Nano with a stack of live rock. They're one of my favorite critters as well. Whenever I do salt water, i'll set one up.

 

S

something

Large Fish
#13
Nov 8, 2004
129
0
0
southern CA
#13
Ok, so here's the update

I went into my LFS and asked if they carried any mantis shrimps and he said he'd keep an eye out for them and save one for me if he could find one. they have over 100lbs of LR in the back in a big bin so im hoping they find a few nice ones.

Still looking for an acrylic cube tank; looks like i might have to special order it. I dont know where to go with the filter issue, can someone give me a hand/idea?

If i start setting it up ill make sure to post some pics




PS
thanks for the pic B, i was already excited about the possibility of getting one, but after seeing that cool of a pic ive decided to actually go through with the plan
 

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1979camaro

1979camaro

Ultimate Fish
#18
Oct 22, 2002
5,862
2
0
42
San Ramon, CA
#18
in pasadena i would check out Pasadena Tropical
http://www.pasadenatropicalfish.com/index2.html

Marks Tropical Fish is good in studio city
http://www.markstropicalfish.com/

if you are ever in the southbay, jeff's exotic fish in gardena is an amazing place
http://www.exoticfish.com/

also Sea Labs in Redondo is pretty cool as is Aquatic Fantasy
http://www.aquaticfantasy.com/

Neptunes reef in torrance
http://www.neptunesreef.com/

aquarium city in canoga park
http://www.theaquariumcity.com/

Ocean Reefs in Huntington
http://www.oceanreeftropicalfish.com/


should be enough to get you going ;)

LA is a wonderful place to be as far as the marine hobby is concerned because most of the big wholesalers are right there...can often get some real primo stuff at a low price...should be able to find whatever you are looking for at one of those places...call first, before you fight the major traffic headache ;)
 

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