- Joined
- Apr 6, 2019
- Messages
- 207
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- 286
Hello R2R I'm here to begin documenting my new build dedicated to my soon to arrive Florida Keys Stomatopod. I have had the idea for this tank in my head for about 6 months and finally got everything rolling on the build recently.
This is a very simple build so far as you can see. It's a bone stock Aqueon 15g tank with a 240gph Hydor powerhead, a heater, and some rock and sand. The 15lbs of rock is from KP Aquatics and is their starter rock, or the stuff that's only been in the ocean for about a year. The coralline coverage is thicker than it appears here, there's still some sand stuck to the rocks from adding that. There's a little marinepure I had cycled from another tank sitting down in the corner for good measure, it won't live there forever though. The sand is Marco Rocks Bahamian Aragonite, it's a very fine and silty sand so it was quite the sandstorm but I really like the look for this build and it has a nice mixture of grain sizes.
There is a lot of open space in this build as you can see, the eventual goal is to have a nice mangrove growing in that big open area of sand, as well as grow different macro algaes, gorgonians, and other Caribbean stuffs all throughout the tank. The mantis species I'm hoping I end up with is known for being quite inquisitive and active so having open space for him to explore around will be really enjoyable for me watching.
And speaking of the guest of honor, lets talk about it! So the mantis should be arriving tomorrow, I am adopting it from R2R's very own @IKD who discovered the little bugger on his own shipment of KP Aquatics rock last month. Based upon the behavior, location, and what I can tell from pictures it appears to be N. wennerae. This is perfect as I had been hoping to find wennerae for this build. It is still very tiny, possibly less than 1 inch long. The wennerae is known to grow to a little over 3 inches maximum size, so this is no peacock mantis, but what they lack for in size they make up for in personality. And being this small means it is still very young so it has a nice long life ahead of it.
And that's all for now! I hope you folks enjoy reading about the build and I hope to get some more pictures and posts coming soon. See ya!
This is a very simple build so far as you can see. It's a bone stock Aqueon 15g tank with a 240gph Hydor powerhead, a heater, and some rock and sand. The 15lbs of rock is from KP Aquatics and is their starter rock, or the stuff that's only been in the ocean for about a year. The coralline coverage is thicker than it appears here, there's still some sand stuck to the rocks from adding that. There's a little marinepure I had cycled from another tank sitting down in the corner for good measure, it won't live there forever though. The sand is Marco Rocks Bahamian Aragonite, it's a very fine and silty sand so it was quite the sandstorm but I really like the look for this build and it has a nice mixture of grain sizes.
There is a lot of open space in this build as you can see, the eventual goal is to have a nice mangrove growing in that big open area of sand, as well as grow different macro algaes, gorgonians, and other Caribbean stuffs all throughout the tank. The mantis species I'm hoping I end up with is known for being quite inquisitive and active so having open space for him to explore around will be really enjoyable for me watching.
And speaking of the guest of honor, lets talk about it! So the mantis should be arriving tomorrow, I am adopting it from R2R's very own @IKD who discovered the little bugger on his own shipment of KP Aquatics rock last month. Based upon the behavior, location, and what I can tell from pictures it appears to be N. wennerae. This is perfect as I had been hoping to find wennerae for this build. It is still very tiny, possibly less than 1 inch long. The wennerae is known to grow to a little over 3 inches maximum size, so this is no peacock mantis, but what they lack for in size they make up for in personality. And being this small means it is still very young so it has a nice long life ahead of it.
And that's all for now! I hope you folks enjoy reading about the build and I hope to get some more pictures and posts coming soon. See ya!