I saw the below vid on Aqua SD's site and decided I wanted him ("Attila'). I bought a 28 biocube and moved about 20+ lbs of live rock from my 180, and used water from a water change for start-up water in the cube. I am using new sand and seeded it with a cup of live sand. I figured that it wouldn't need to cycle, or it'd be a small quick cycle.
First night nitrates were 40 PPM, no ammonia. Next day 0 nitrates, so I figured I had beneficial bacteria. I put about 8 hermits in with a piece of shrimp and ammonia shot up to 4.0. It's been 5 days and high ammonia, no nitrates or nitrites, so the tank in fact is cycling (is this necessary on a mantis only tank?)
Today I added another 3-5 lb rock from my 180 and did a small water change as I felt 4.0 was to high (it's about 2.5 now). I have dosed Stability yesterday and have macrobactor7 arriving today.
"Attila" was due to ship on Tuesday but I've asked Will to possibly hold for a few more days.
I do have a PVC tube partially buried and I put some sheets of acrylic on bottom of the tank. Anyway else with a mantis tank is more than welcome to make suggestions!
Thanks
Tj
Hungry Mantis Shrimp at Aqua SD - YouTube
First night nitrates were 40 PPM, no ammonia. Next day 0 nitrates, so I figured I had beneficial bacteria. I put about 8 hermits in with a piece of shrimp and ammonia shot up to 4.0. It's been 5 days and high ammonia, no nitrates or nitrites, so the tank in fact is cycling (is this necessary on a mantis only tank?)
Today I added another 3-5 lb rock from my 180 and did a small water change as I felt 4.0 was to high (it's about 2.5 now). I have dosed Stability yesterday and have macrobactor7 arriving today.
"Attila" was due to ship on Tuesday but I've asked Will to possibly hold for a few more days.
I do have a PVC tube partially buried and I put some sheets of acrylic on bottom of the tank. Anyway else with a mantis tank is more than welcome to make suggestions!
Thanks
Tj
Hungry Mantis Shrimp at Aqua SD - YouTube