Mitchell's Mantis Tank

Mitchell · Dec 10, 2011

Here is the start of my mantis tank.

The Saturday morning tank build. I have forgotten the size...

I think its 18x16x16

3/8 cast acrylic

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Tony the builder...what a ham!!

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Final product-minus the EuroBracing on top.

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Should have the tank cycling by next weekend

Filtration- unknown at this point. Maybe an aquaclear hang on or a canister filter.

Lighting-1 Maxispect 60 watt LED fixture

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Water movement- 1 powerhead.

Heat-Titanium - no glass for him/her to play with

Substrate-a semi deep sand bed. Carrib sea live sand.

Rock-a mix of Bali and Tonga Branch

His home-hopefully he/she enjoys this ceramic home I got. The plan is to bury it as much as possible and then glue zoos or GSP's on it and let them grow.

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ToXIc · Dec 10, 2011

Where did you get the little cave? That would make an awesome jawfish house

The build is looking great zoo far.. Can't wait until it gets wet..

Mitchell · Dec 10, 2011

got the cave at a LFS up here

Mitchell · Dec 16, 2011

Completed tank and light installed.

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Mitchell · Dec 20, 2011

WATER IS IN!!!!!

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revhtree · Dec 20, 2011

That is a sweet little nano!

Mitchell · Dec 20, 2011

Thanks Rev. it will be nicer when I get a little smasher in there!!!

cdness · Dec 20, 2011

Looks Awesome! I like the cave.

reid429 · Dec 20, 2011

Mp10 on a mantis tank

oh:

Mitchell · Dec 20, 2011

I hope the mantis likes the cave to. Yes Reid EVERYBODY thinks I'm nuts with the MP10.......wait...maybe their right.........

M@! · Dec 20, 2011

Very nice I can't wait to see the smasher in there! Mantis is by far the most entertaining species I've ever owned.

Mitchell · Dec 21, 2011

Water has cleared and I think I'm happy with the aquascape...I hope Monte will be... all the rock is Pukani rock and boy does it stink right now.....phewy....

I still have to smash a rock up so Monte will have some smaller pieces to play with. Cant wait to get some corals in some of those nooks and cranny's.

The Final scape

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ngarcia11892 · Dec 21, 2011

great looking tank, i want a mantis they look very entertaining

subielover · Dec 21, 2011

Very cool set-up, I assume you are getting a peacock?

Mitchell · Dec 24, 2011

subielover said:
Very cool set-up, I assume you are getting a peacock?

Yes

After listening to some suggestions I have re done the rocks to lower them to the bottom of the tank. I also cut a back door in the cave.

Here is the new and last (I hope) design

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Mitchell · Dec 31, 2011

bigger tank is being built

Heeeeeeerrrrrrreeeeeeeee's MONTE

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Mitchell · Dec 31, 2011

Monte is in Tony's Mantis tank for now. Separated from Marty the Second of course.

Poor little fellow is busy building a home....only to be taken from it and moved to his new home here an a week or so.

Here is the industrious little guy

monte - YouTube

Mitchell · Jan 15, 2012

Tony applying some glue while I supervise...lol ( I'm in the bald guy in the polo shirt )

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Nice clean edge

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The tank. It looks really small in this pic but its not. With the rock that I currently have in the original tank there will be loads of open space for rubble and corals. The contraption on the left is the fuge that will be added to the side somehow.

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Swapping out a couple of the White LEDs for Blue LEDs.

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I might go up and get a couple more pictures today.

Mitchell · Feb 4, 2012

Been a busy and productive day. I was up at 7 and started on my 60 gallon. got that all finished and Tony showed up....well now that the 60 gallon is done lets switch over the mantis tank he says...to be honest I was pooped and REALLY didn't want to do anything at that point, but he talked me into it and away we went.

Here is the older smaller tank as it was this morning...holding corals and rock.

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The new bigger tank in place. This one is taller and takes up the entire stand footprint.

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Even the youngest got involved filling it back up

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The disappointing skimmer. I was hoping for this to work but this tank will now be skimmerless. It blows so many micro bubbles into the tank that you cant see a thing. Not cool. I guess I'll just have to keep a strict water change routine.

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It has to be scaped. All the corals were just thrown back in. I'll probably do that tonight.

This is it. Thanks for your help Tony and Jessika

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