Mantis Substrate Question

deleau · 02/12/2016, 09:57 AM

Hello mantis folks.

I'm in the process of doing research to set up an empty 40g breeder tank as a mantis showcase. My intent is to start with a N. wennerae; perhaps a larger mantis down the road once I understand them better.

I would like to get the substrate from my local LFS (save on shipping), and they carry CaribSea products. Which (if any) of these products would be best?

Aragonite Super Reef
Aragonite Bermuda Pink
Aragonite Florida Crushed Coral

Thanks for your input/advise.

Martini5788 · 02/12/2016, 02:49 PM

I would do the super reef, and get a small bag of crushed coral that the mantis can use to " decorate" the burrow and the tank. As well as pieces of lr rubble.

nmotz · 02/12/2016, 06:25 PM

Any of those options will work, but like Martini said it's a good idea to include different sized pieces of LR for the mantis to use. They usually like to roll up a few larger pieces of rubble into a pile in front of their burrow entrances at night and before they molt.

deleau · 02/12/2016, 08:40 PM

Thanks for the advise, and I will have some rubble as well.

I'm thinking two larger pieces of rock, some rubble and the substrate as advised above.

If/when I move to a larger species, then I will construct and add a PVC burrow.

Calappidae · 02/13/2016, 12:37 AM

Sounds look a good plan to me.

02/12/2016, 09:57 AM	#1
deleau Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 367	Mantis Substrate Question Hello mantis folks. I'm in the process of doing research to set up an empty 40g breeder tank as a mantis showcase. My intent is to start with a N. wennerae; perhaps a larger mantis down the road once I understand them better. I would like to get the substrate from my local LFS (save on shipping), and they carry CaribSea products. Which (if any) of these products would be best? Aragonite Super Reef Aragonite Bermuda Pink Aragonite Florida Crushed Coral Thanks for your input/advise. __________________ "The plural of anecdote is not data." Current Tank Info: 258g (72.5x30x27.5), 4x Radion Gen3 Pro, 2x Hamilton Aruba Sun V Series (4x Blue Plus 80W), 2x Vortech MP40WQD, Apex Gold + WXM, Dreambox 5d, Bubble King Supermarin 200, Red Dragon 3 150W, Tunze 3155, Finnex Ti 800W

02/12/2016, 06:25 PM	#3
nmotz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: FL, USA Posts: 1,433	Any of those options will work, but like Martini said it's a good idea to include different sized pieces of LR for the mantis to use. They usually like to roll up a few larger pieces of rubble into a pile in front of their burrow entrances at night and before they molt. __________________ Mantis shrimp are the best! Current Tank Info: 20L Peacock mantis shrimp tank

02/12/2016, 08:40 PM	#4
deleau Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 367	Thanks for the advise, and I will have some rubble as well. I'm thinking two larger pieces of rock, some rubble and the substrate as advised above. If/when I move to a larger species, then I will construct and add a PVC burrow. __________________ "The plural of anecdote is not data." Current Tank Info: 258g (72.5x30x27.5), 4x Radion Gen3 Pro, 2x Hamilton Aruba Sun V Series (4x Blue Plus 80W), 2x Vortech MP40WQD, Apex Gold + WXM, Dreambox 5d, Bubble King Supermarin 200, Red Dragon 3 150W, Tunze 3155, Finnex Ti 800W

02/13/2016, 12:37 AM	#5
Calappidae Harlequin Shrimp Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,814	Sounds look a good plan to me. __________________ Joe

02/12/2016, 02:49 PM	#2
Martini5788 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Beaufort, SC Posts: 2,303	I would do the super reef, and get a small bag of crushed coral that the mantis can use to " decorate" the burrow and the tank. As well as pieces of lr rubble.