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ccapasso's office Mantis Tank!


ccapasso

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I figured I would start a new thread as this is officially happening and no longer just a concept.

 

The tank you see below was built buy Aqua-Crylic (aka Aquatica). It is a deep blue 7.5 gallon (12x12x12) that has been customized with a false wall and media rack. The total display looks to be approx 5.5 gallons, but I need to measure to find out for sure.

 

Equipment:

 

  • Custom Deep Blue 12" Cube
  • 2 Hydor Evolution Pico 400
  • Custom Media Rack
  • BoostLED Par 30
  • Hydor Theo 25w Heater
  • ReefKeeper Lite

 

 

 

Pictures

 

 

Here is the media rack:

 

DSC_0764.jpg

 

 

Here is the back:

 

DSC_0769.jpg

 

Here are some top shots:

 

DSC_0758.jpg

 

DSC_0751.jpg

 

Front Shots:

 

DSC_0768.jpg

 

Tank Inspectors:

 

DSC_0746.jpg

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Thanks guys!

 

Any suggestions on what to put in the media rack? I was thinking Cheato on the top rack, but wasn't sure what to put on the bottom. What would you all suggest?

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I guess chaeto on the top will work. Purigen next, then filter floss at the bottom.

 

Those little pumps work really well! I've got one.

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I guess chaeto on the top will work. Purigen next, then filter floss at the bottom.

 

Those little pumps work really well! I've got one.

 

Thanks!

 

The media rack only has 2 shelves (was meant to have 3 but wasn't designed that way). Anyways, I can either have another shelf added.

 

Or, can I simply put the filter floss at the bottom under the last rack where the water returns? Or will it flow into the return sections and cause issues doing this?

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Hmmm in that case I'd put filter floss on top, then purigen on the bottom.

 

Purigen, in little tanks, is much better at absorbing nutrients than chaeto.

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Hmmm in that case I'd put filter floss on top, then purigen on the bottom.

 

Purigen, in little tanks, is much better at absorbing nutrients than chaeto.

 

 

Ok, I can do that.

 

How much purigen should I get? I heard that it can be re-used by simply bleaching it/washing it out. Is that true?

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Ok, I can do that.

 

How much purigen should I get? I heard that it can be re-used by simply bleaching it/washing it out. Is that true?

That's true. Steve have small bags of it for like 11 bucks

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Well, I took my pico to my office and after work I filled it up with water to do a wet test.

 

Pictures

 

New Home:

IMAG0438.jpg

 

IMAG0439.jpg

 

IMAG0440.jpg

 

Wet Test:

IMAG0436.jpg

 

IMAG0437.jpg

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I filled it up all the way first and then turned the pumps on. There was no gurgling.

 

I then unplugged them, took out a little bit of water and turned them back on. At first there was gurgling but then I added more water back in. This seemed to fix that real quick.

 

The chambers were a little low of water, but yet no gurgling.

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If that problem persists, especially with evaporation, you can snap off a tooth here and there to create better flor into the AIO section. At least that's what I did, and has worked pretty well.

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Ok. Thanks.

 

I wonder if another option might be to take it back to the store that made it and have them cut the holes a bit longer to let in more too?

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I'm going to pick up some live sand at lunch today. Will either add it and water today or tomorrow.

 

When should I add the media to my media rack? During the cycle or afterwards?

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I used that stuff in a larger grade and it was awesome.

 

 

Awesome! Thanks!

 

If I remember correctly, I should have about a 2" Sand Bed right? If so, I believe 10lbs should be enough :)

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I picked up sand at lunch today. I was going to purchase live sand, but this looked a lot nicer:

 

IMAG0441.jpg

 

Thoughts?

 

I have that sand in my tank but i am having problems with the powerhead and the sand :(

 

And the filter makes holes on it

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