29 gallon Mantis Shrimp tank

[Robmartin74]

Hey everyone, I am new to the hobby so I figured I would get as much advice as possible. I have a 29 gallon Mantis Shrimp specific tank set up right now. I want to add some coral to help it pop. What light and powerhead would you recommend? The tank is the normal 30x12x18 inches. I am looking at the Kessil A160 Blue Tuna and maybe an Aqamai KPS or an Ecotech MP-10 so I can have some control over the pump. I plan on doing softies and LPS, nothing too hard so I can get the hang of coral. Any suggestions on equipment to look at? Would I need to get 2 A160s or would 1 be enough? Things like that. Thanks in advance! -Rob

 

[Ranjib]

mp10 and A360 will be a killer combo. A360 will let u keep sps also, for LPS you can go A160 or some cheaper alternatives. You can go for icecap 1K as well, for power head. You can also do a hydor koralia power head . Theres a new light called Asta, that should be good as well

 

[reef lover]

Idk...everything ive read on shell rot points to the light being the main cause with bad water the next. So all my mantis have always been in a dark or nearly dark tank at all times. I had one peacock that came in with a small patch of rot and within 2 molts it was completely gone....

 

[BestMomEver]

How big is your mantis. They are so beautiful. Got some in some live rock years ago. So pretty but I had to get rid of them. Can you post a picture?

 

[reef lover]

lights were turned on for pic taking...

 

[BestMomEver]

lights were turned on for pic taking...

He’s petty! Have you considered getting another? How big is he?

 

[vector824]

I haven’t seen a dedicated mantis tank! These guys are so cool. I saw a wild one snorkeling in Haiti and almost lost my mind. Yours look awesome!

 

[BestMomEver]

I haven’t seen a dedicated mantis tank! These guys are so cool. I saw a wild one snorkeling in Haiti and almost lost my mind. Yours look awesome!

The LFS here had a 5” peacock mantis for sale. He would require a dedicated tank. Not much he couldn’t kill!

 

[reef lover]

Almost 7 inches and i dont know if hes a he or she so no mates...he just lives like a king...lol.

 

[BestMomEver]

Almost 7 inches and i dont know if hes a he or she so no mates...he just lives like a king...lol.

That’s a dang big mantis! How much has he grown since you’ve had him? And, what do you feed him?

 

[reef lover]

Probably an inch since ive had him...and he eats frozen squid, clams, and krill and gets live snails and crabs to hunt...