Huskerguy84 Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I always wanted a coffee table aquarium so I decided to build one. It was actually way easier than all of my other tank builds. It's going to be a mantis tank. Nothing better to put your feet on than a mantis shrimp's home. Below is my inspiration and my build without lighting (on its way,underwater led's). I am going to buy nice pegs or bumpers and a nice piece of glass when I come across them. The water is coming from my reef tank and also some sand to seed the new sand. Let me know what you think https://imageshack.com/i/14vbizj%2 https://imageshack.com/i/gonfctj [url=https://imageshack.com/i/4jof73j'> https://imageshack.com/i/14vbizj'> https://imageshack.com/i/nftqtwj'> https://imageshack.com/i/gonfctj'> Link to comment
Mr. Microscope Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Cool. What are you using for filtration? Link to comment
Huskerguy84 Posted February 11, 2014 Author Share Posted February 11, 2014 Thank you, I am using the internal filter that came with the aquarium. You can unfortunately see it in the corner and I am using live rock/sand. Everything plugs into a power strip under the aquarium so the unit plugs in using a single cord that runs under the rug. Link to comment
Arkayology Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Very cool! And a mantis tank to boot! I expect copious amounts of updates. Link to comment
Huskerguy84 Posted February 12, 2014 Author Share Posted February 12, 2014 ??? How much water movement is recommended for a mantis tank? I've been researching a bunch and have seen nothing concrete. Some have powerheads and some do not. Thanks Link to comment
dmasterx1x Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 cool idea! will be following. Link to comment
Huskerguy84 Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 Well, I have been searching for a mantis, most places are out of stock. I am not wanting to spend $80-100 for the mantis plus shipping. If anyone comes across I would like to take it off their hands. Ill pay for shipping and the mantis. I found a guy that sells the green smasher for $20 plus shipping but I have to wait for him to catch it. http://stores.ebay.com/caribbeanfishcollectors/ I will take any of the 'smasher' guys. I live in Yuma and we don't have a saltwater store so I always have to go to San Diego or Phoenix if I want to actually see what I am buying. Link to comment
TheCoralMan Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I really like the idea I used to have a 20 gallon tall aquarium very nice size! Link to comment
Huskerguy84 Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 Thanks, Im not sure if I should have used a 20g long. When you are laying on the couch taller objects on the couch block a small portion of the tv. I didn't want a large footprint though. Does anyone know where I can get the pegs or bumpers that hold the glass up, shown in the example picture of the 20g long? Link to comment
keithfullermusic Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Thanks, Im not sure if I should have used a 20g long. When you are laying on the couch taller objects on the couch block a small portion of the tv. I didn't want a large footprint though. Does anyone know where I can get the pegs or bumpers that hold the glass up, shown in the example picture of the 20g long? home depot or the hardware store. if all else fails, you can buy rods and cut them, but i don't think you'll get able to get that smooth edge. also, you can probably find a crappy old table that has those at the thrift shop - you'd be amazed what you can find at those places. Link to comment
Huskerguy84 Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 Thats a good idea, I have been thrift stores for new top glass. Thanks Link to comment
Huskerguy84 Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 Ordered a clown(peacock) mantis today of Liveaquaria.com. $49. I was on the email alert. Ordered some other stuff for the reef to make shipping worth it. Hopefully get them tomorrow. Link to comment
bdevillier19 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 If you are looking for hardware like knobs, drawer slides, and hinges along with a million other things check out www.outwaterplastics.com they have everything you can thing of and they have a location in phoenix. Link to comment
Huskerguy84 Posted February 20, 2014 Author Share Posted February 20, 2014 Got this guy in the mail today from liveaquaria.com. He is really colorful and looks really healthy. He ate only a few hours after being in the aquarium. He is so cool, always is keeping an eye on you from his burrow. https://imageshack.com/i/0o87k6j'> Link to comment
Huskerguy84 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Went to Petsmart today to buy a feeder crab. Do not tell them that you want a feed crab, they cant sell it! Did not know that. I need to go in with a fake mustache next time. Link to comment
keithfullermusic Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Went to Petsmart today to buy a feeder crab. Do not tell them that you want a feed crab, they cant sell it! Did not know that. I need to go in with a fake mustache next time. Are you serious? What a freaking joke. Link to comment
Arkayology Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Buy some goldfish from them. The mantis should take it. Link to comment
Huskerguy84 Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 I tried and he we interested but still just a little to shy. The goldfish died and floated to the top. He did take salad shrimp from me the 2nd day. Link to comment
Huskerguy84 Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 The mantis will take food from me using a food stick. Its pretty neat that he hits the stick before he takes the food. Pretty big punch for a little guy. Ive also watched him hunt a few crabs. He stuns them, takes them to the burrow, then kills and eats them. He spins the shell to have the opening facing towards himself, then punches the actual crab, pretty smart. Link to comment
Huskerguy84 Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 Finished the Mantis Coffee Table Aquarium with pegs, a nice piece of glass, and an LED underwater light http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/Huskerguy84/media/photo14_zps03214bb3.jpg.html'> Link to comment
SantaMonica Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 Big fan of table tanks, and tanks place anywhere unusual. Link to comment
Huskerguy84 Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share Posted June 9, 2014 Going to start selling prefabricated tables for a 40 gallon breeder, 20 gallon long/tall to where you drop in your own stock tank and glass top. Then stock it. This will save people tons of money. The stand will go together like a piece of Ikea furniture, but hopefully easier. Working on using Ebay 1st. Any ideas will help. Here is how you plug one of these bad boys in: http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/Huskerguy84/media/photo3_zps0ab5ada1.jpg.html'> Link to comment
pismo_reefer Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Can we get pictures that aren't from 4' away? Link to comment
TJ_Burton Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Good looking DIY, but honestly, those tanks make my skin crawl. Maintenance nightmare! Link to comment
Huskerguy84 Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share Posted June 9, 2014 I thought about the maintenance thing and I agree that it could be. What is cool about this is that you just lift the 5lb glass top, put it to the side and change the filter every month or so and clean the glass. That's all. I feed from the side. If you have a problem the aquarium can pull directly out from the top. I have a small bio-load and led lights with a non-synthetic spectrum so my glass never gets dirty. My reef is way harder to clean. I agree that a normal coffee table tank would be hard to clean but this is so basic. Cleaning the top of the glass of soda rings and dust is the most annoying part. Link to comment
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