Can I use dry rock and just a bio filter for 1 mantis shrimp

[robmster]

Hello, I've never had a saltwater aquarium before but I would like to setup a 15 gallon aquarium with just a mantis shrimp. I find them completely fascinating. Just a few questions:

1. Can I just use some dry rock and use bio filtration like I would with a freshwater tank? (I make my own bio filters and I know how to make great wet dry and canister filters. If needed I may even drill the 15 and make a small sump bio filter.

2. If I use bio filtration, is cycling the same as with a freshwater tank?

3. Do I need to prepare dry rock like with live rock?

4. Can I use CFL freshwater lights if I dont have any coral or live rock?

Edit: I apologize if there's already a lot of information on this. I just wanted to be 100% certain that the information I had before I setup the tank was good. When I do research all the information seems to be conflicting, be it forum posts, YouTube videos, and websites.

[RIP Sebastian]

Clearly, you need to do some research. That is the foundation of this hobby. Don't set up a tank without doing months of resarch.

 

Nick

[seabass]

Welcome to Nano-Reef.com. If you are using dry reef rock, that will eventually become live rock and will be your biofilter. Here is a guide on how to prep this rock prior to adding livestock: http://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/fishless-cycling

 

It is possible to use other bio-media; however, we normally don't recommend it in conjunction with live rock. We tend to encourage the bacteria to reside in the display tank, where it can be part of the food chain. Also, when alternative bio-media isn't kept clean, it tends to generate more nitrate than live rock would.

 

Likewise, canister filters can be used, but I recommend keeping them clean and not using the bio-media (using just the mechanical and chemical media). HOB power filters, like AquaClear filters, tend to be easier to maintain than canister filters.

[Partially Submerged]

Clearly, you need to do some research. That is the foundation of this hobby. Don't set up a tank without doing months of resarch.

 

Nick

That's what he's doing, right?

[Partially Submerged]

1. Can I just use some dry rock and use bio filtration like I would with a freshwater tank? (I make my own bio filters and I know how to make great wet dry and canister filters. If needed I may even drill the 15 and make a small sump bio filter.

2. If I use bio filtration, is cycling the same as with a freshwater tank?

3. Do I need to prepare dry rock like with live rock?

Live rock is your basic and main biological filter in any sort of reef tank. You can add additional filters, so go ahead and make one, but don't go without good quality live rock and something that moves water. If I had to choose, I would go with live rock and a powerhead over a canister filter.

 

Dry rock is live rock waiting to happen. It's cheaper because it doesn't have to be kept alive, but once introduced to the tank, it will slowly turn into live rock (minus all the bigger hitchhikers that you might find in live rock from the ocean or seeding facilities). The advantage of buying live rock is that you get a major headstart and there is no need for a many-week-long cycle as the rock already contains all the beneficial bacteria.

 

 

4. Can I use CFL freshwater lights if I dont have any coral or live rock?

 

Yes, but it will likely not look as good. But your rock and your shrimp don't need any specific light.

[patback]

That's what he's doing, right?

Normally I would agree but all these answers can be solved in less than 5 minutes by Googling "how to set up a saltwater tank" and "how to keep a mantis shrimp"

 

Robmster, as sea bass said, your rock will be your biofilter. Mantis are messy so I also recommend a hob or another type of mechanical filter. Follow his link and continue Googling and coming back here for elaboration on any questions you may have. As for lighting, most mantis' will actually develop she'll rot under high powered lights. It is not recommended to keep them in an actual reef tanks but possible with some experience and lots of research. So a regular light bulb would actually be more than adequate.

What kind of mantis are you planning on keeping?

[Partially Submerged]

Normally I would agree but all these answers can be solved in less than 5 minutes by Googling "how to set up a saltwater tank" and "how to keep a mantis shrimp"

 

So can "What is the perfect government?" and "Where iz teh very much best pr0n for FREE?" Doesn't mean the answers will make sense.

 

Seriously, though, questions 1-3 indicate both previous research and a lot of confusion, so talking to a bunch of people is probably more helpful than more Google.

[robmster]

Clearly, you need to do some research. That is the foundation of this hobby. Don't set up a tank without doing months of resarch.

 

Nick

Thank you for your reply! Youll be happy to know that as we speak I actually am doing research and im consulting the opinions of knowledgeable people such as yourself. Thank you for your information which will clearly assist me in joining this hobby...

Normally I would agree but all these answers can be solved in less than 5 minutes by Googling "how to set up a saltwater tank" and "how to keep a mantis shrimp"

 

Robmster, as sea bass said, your rock will be your biofilter. Mantis are messy so I also recommend a hob or another type of mechanical filter. Follow his link and continue Googling and coming back here for elaboration on any questions you may have. As for lighting, most mantis' will actually develop she'll rot under high powered lights. It is not recommended to keep them in an actual reef tanks but possible with some experience and lots of research. So a regular light bulb would actually be more than adequate.

What kind of mantis are you planning on keeping?

eogonodactylus wennerae (labeled at the pet store), a red mantis shrimp. Im sorry if searching could have answered my questions but I wanted to be 100% sure the information I had was correct before I setup my tank. You can't blame me can you? Anyway I most importantly wanted to know how much bioload we're talking about. Would you say equivalent to a plecos in the fw hobby or less? As you can tell im still a ways off before getting this setup.

[patback]

Thank you for your reply! Youll be happy to know that as we speak I actually am doing research and im consulting the opinions of knowledgeable people such as yourself. Thank you for your information which will clearly assist me in joining this hobby...

 

eogonodactylus wennerae (labeled at the pet store), a red mantis shrimp. Im sorry if searching could have answered my questions but I wanted to be 100% sure the information I had was correct before I setup my tank. You can't blame me can you? Anyway I most importantly wanted to know how much bioload we're talking about. Would you say equivalent to a plecos in the fw hobby or less? As you can tell im still a ways off before getting this setup.[/size]

Sorry if I came off sounding dickish. Wasn't my intention.

The bioload is a little tricky. It's not quite like a tang that is a constant pooping machine ( I have never actually even seen anything that would resemble what I Imagine a mantis end-of-digestion to look like) but it's more in the manner that they eat. they can be extremely messy and sometimes kill and then just leave the food alone. A clubber is difficult to keep algae away due to a ever revolving door of a cuc all though ime, nassarius are generally resilient against them. They also love to rebuild stuff so they can potentially release whatever crap is inside your rocks and sand. (Your smaller species most likely won't really do this)

I will suggest that you go above and beyond on the rock ypu think you will need and also make sure it is seated on the glass directly or eggcrate, and puttied or zip tied together to prevent them from collapsing.

 

 

 

Sorry. I got 3 hours of sleep last night and I can't even tell if that is coherent but it took me so long to type and delete and type and delete that I'm posting it regardless. Hope it helps you.

[robmster]

Hey im sorry guys but I think I've been turned off from the saltwater hobby now... I really want a mantis shrimp but im really intimidated by everything ive seen on the forums and websites so far. Im just going to setup another planted fw tank. Thank for everything you guys said, you probably saved the life of a mantis shrimp

[Nart]

Hey im sorry guys but I think I've been turned off from the saltwater hobby now... I really want a mantis shrimp but im really intimidated by everything ive seen on the forums and websites so far. Im just going to setup another planted fw tank. Thank for everything you guys said, you probably saved the life of a mantis shrimp

First hand experience here. It is very intimidating with all the information one can gather when researching, but you know what? We all have to start from somewhere. Get those feet wet. It's part of the experience

[robmster]

First hand experience here. It is very intimidating with all the information one can gather when researching, but you know what? We all have to start from somewhere. Get those feet wet. It's part of the experience

Thanks im a bit surprised by some of the hostility i got on this forum so if I ever have any questions in going to stick to my usual forum. Thank you

[SelectedByNature]

Thanks im a bit surprised by some of the hostility i got on this forum so if I ever have any questions in going to stick to my usual forum. Thank you

Sorry to hear that.

 

But to be fair the only comment I can see that could be construed as hostile was, at worse, an unsympathetic suggestion to do more research.

 

Cheers and best of luck. Come back if you reconsider!

[uwharrie]

Stick around and don't give up. Some folks are a bit "harsh", but this is a great forum with lots of knowledgeable folks. Of course many have different opinions not always a bad thing as what works for one may not work for the other. I am new to the reef/SW hobby with a bit more than a year in. This and a couple of other forums has been a huge help!

[Clown79]

Most of the folks on here are very easy going and supportive. Some are a bit blunt but I wouldn't say harsh. I've left many forums because some were real d!#ks!

 

Sw can be overwhelming and intimidating but once you wrap your head around all the info, its really not bad.

 

Having a simple system makes it easier. You certainly can do a mantis.

 

Get a tank, get eggcrate, cut it to size and place in the tank. Build your rockwork and epoxy it. Add your sand. Then add your saltwater.

 

Let the tank cycle and test it during cycling.

 

 

For filteration you have your rocks do the biological filter. Adding an hob with a good carbon, filter floss, and maybe purigen would be ideal.

 

If this is something you really want, you should do it. Don't let anyone discourage you. It is possible to do.

[robmster]

I havent given up yet, someone dm'ed and renewed my interest. You might see a new tank update in a coming weeks if I do decide to go through with this mantis shrimp!

And btw i tend to interpret things as a bit hostile, I have a bit of social anxiety sorry everyone

[Clown79]

No need to apologize, its actually very hard to interpret writing correctly. We also all react differently, things like social anxiety makes it even harder.

[SelectedByNature]

Yayyyy! Well don't be afraid to ask more questions!