Pazzoman's Peacock Mantis Shrimp Journey

[Pazzoman]

Hey Everyone, I would like to dedicate this thread to my personal documentation of my future peacock mantis shrimp. A fellow member here gave me the idea to document this and I like the idea @Fish Fan. I have always wanted one for the past few years, and finally decided to get back in the hobby and give it a go. I have been doing a lot of research through the forums. One member in particular has helped me a lot with all my questions, for that I thank you @Stomatopods17 for giving me the confidence to give it a go. My set up isn't perfect by all means so I'm always open to suggestions if anyone has better ideas on something that I have used or plan on using.

Tank/Stand/Tops:
-Aqueon 40 Gallon Breeder https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/aga-40b-36x18x16bk-tank-170968
-40 Gallon Breeder Stand Herture Brand https://a.co/d/7u8Ka7z
-40 Gallon Breeder Versa Aquarium Tops https://a.co/d/dLQii2y
Equipment List:
-Seachem Tidal 110 https://a.co/d/9O0mvqx (Have smaller models, simply love it)
-HiTauing Aquarium Heater https://a.co/d/gWHgeC2 (With the plastic enclosure, should be safe from Mantis Shrimp Strikes)
-NICREW 36 W Saltwater Aquarium Light https://a.co/d/1uqPTUo (Recommended Cost Effective Leds)
-Fluval Multi Chamber Holding and Breeder Box https://a.co/d/bqz3Pl1 (planning on using this to keep prey alive and seperated from the shrimp.)
-Whisper Air Pump https://a.co/d/9nYa18B (To operate the Fluval Multi Chamber Holding and Breeder Box)
-*Coming Soon* Jebao SOW 8 Wave Maker https://a.co/d/1261mQW (Originally ordered the SOW 15, but at the lowest setting was too strong)
-*Coming Soon* Auto Top Off (Leaning towards Tunze, but still researching) https://a.co/d/0jac7dv
-Heavy Duty Power Strip https://a.co/d/6FxIXyt (Love the individual switches)
Rock/Substrate/Salt/Bottom of Tank
-Plexiglass Sheets https://a.co/d/iukRKjH (Laid 2 orders of 8x10 on the bottom to protect the glass bottom from Mantis Strikes, when burrowing)
-40 Pounds of Dry Rock https://www.chewy.com/natures-ocean-natural-coral-aquarium/dp/167757 (Used about 30-35 pounds)
-40 Pounds Carib Sea Aragonite Sand https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...cial-grade-reef-sand-substrate-40-lbs-3027428
-Instant Ocean Salt https://a.co/d/55jjjjf
- 9 Pounds Reef Saver Frag Mount Dry Live Rock https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/9lbs...=10727&indexName=brs_prod_m2_default_products
(Broke some of these up and placed them in the tank for the Shrimp to use to construct its burrow)
PVC Burrow and Construction total length entrance to entrance 25 inches:
-2x 3 inch 45 Degree Elbows https://www.homedepot.com/p/Charlot...-Degree-Street-Elbow-PVC003231200HD/203393579
-24 inch of 3 inch PVC Pipe https://www.homedepot.com/p/Charlotte-Pipe-3-in-x-2-ft-PVC-DWV-Sch-40-Pipe-PVC073000200HA/100533056
-Silicone https://a.co/d/4K60uTa (Smeared this all over the pipe and covered it with Aragonite Sand to help it blend in)
-220 Grit Sand Paper https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-Pro-...dpaper-6-Sheets-Pack-SHTR220-PGP-6T/313353716
(Sandpaper used inside and outside on the entire PVC Burrow, to help silicone stick as well as give some thing for shrimp to cling its legs on in the burrow)
Cycling Process:
-Ammonia Drops https://a.co/d/7aJbPV9 (Best way to add ammonia to kick start the cycling process instantly)
-FritzZyme Turbo Start https://a.co/d/9dMM27s (Very next day 2ppm of Ammonia turned into Nitrite, insane speed)
-Test Kit https://a.co/d/e6nexdw
-Refractometer https://a.co/d/cq3Zrot
-Aquarium Thermometer https://a.co/d/5L2a4Is
Filtration Media:
-Seachem Matrix https://a.co/d/c9bRiHk
-Filter Floss https://a.co/d/egwczzc
-Foam Sheet 30 ppi https://a.co/d/aaPELgO
Planned Main Water Parameters After Cycling Process:
-Ammonia 0ppm
-Nitrite 0ppm
-Nitrate around 20ppm
-PH 8.0
-Salinity 1.025 SG
-Tank Temperature 76-77 Degrees Fahrenheit

That should cover pretty much everything that I'm currently using or at least plan on using for this set up. Right now my tank is currently in the Cycling Process as we progress I will try to provide updated pictures and information.

 

[Stomatopods17]

Looks good!

Need a lot more rubble than that, I'd spread more in all areas of the tank and feed it snails so that over time it naturally gets more building material from the shells.

 

[Pazzoman]

Looks good!

Need a lot more rubble than that, I'd spread more in all areas of the tank and feed it snails so that over time it naturally gets more building material from the shells.

Hey, appreciate it big time I will add it in asap. I have a lot of extra rocks that I can smash. Of course I will be mixing size rubble for them, but do you know whats the biggest sizes you seen them carry? Just so I don't make them too big.

 

[TripFamAZ]

They are like little water dogs. I've had Ralph for almost two years no issues. I don't run lights but other than that he has a similar setup in a 55g. I suggest even more frag, rocks/pebbles and shells for it to move around and do with as he pleases once you get one. Good luck!

 

[Pazzoman]

They are like little water dogs. I've had Ralph for almost two years no issues. I don't run lights but other than that he has a similar setup in a 55g. I suggest even more frag, rocks/pebbles and shells for it to move around and do with as he pleases once you get one. Good luck!

Thank you for the suggestion , I will definitely add more, I'll even bury some so they can forage a little bit for them. Think I have came across some of your posts before. How big was Ralph when you got him and where? I think members have suggested smaller mantis the better. My LFS had both a 2.5 inch size and an adult 7 incher.

 

[polarbeard]

Following along for sure. I’d love to have a mantis shrimp tank. My buddy that got me into reefing used to have one. The videos of that thing got me hooked.

 

[TripFamAZ]

Thank you for the suggestion , I will definitely add more, I'll even bury some so they can forage a little bit for them. Think I have came across some of your posts before. How big was Ralph when you got him and where? I think members have suggested smaller mantis the better. My LFS had both a 2.5 inch size and an adult 7 incher.

Ralph was really small when I got him.. 3" maybe. He's a big boy now! I purchased him through Reef Exclusive from Alex.

 

[TripFamAZ]

Thank you for the suggestion , I will definitely add more, I'll even bury some so they can forage a little bit for them. Think I have came across some of your posts before. How big was Ralph when you got him and where? I think members have suggested smaller mantis the better. My LFS had both a 2.5 inch size and an adult 7

Also I would highly suggest a Protein Skimmer.

 

[Pazzoman]

Little update:

Pretty Boring so far as my tank is still cycling. Thought it was going to go real fast with Fritz Turbo Boost, especially with Nitrite showing the very next day after adding ammonia/Fritz. Currently the tank still has Nitrite so hopefully sometime this week, parameters should be good.

Jebao Sow 8 addition

I have received the smaller Jebao and it is much better suited for this tank. I currently have it on “Else” mode, if anyone has suggestions what mode I should keep it on, I’m always listening to suggestions.

Tunze Osmolator 3:

I’m glad to finally get the new Tunze Osmolator. So far it has been easy to set up and working great. Figured this was a must to keep Salinity in check as well as making it easier and more enjoyable to maintain the tank without worrying about topping it off.

Future Tank Inhabitants:

I know it’s best to be a species only tank, however through reading posts and multiple YouTube videos. I have decided that I’m going to give it a try. I’m looking to add 2 fish. I have seen lots of luck with the following 3 fish. Damsel/6 line wrasse/dottyback. Through research I will be adding 2 out of the 3 first. Let them get adjusted and then get the peacock mantis. Hopefully it works out, I do feel like there is lots of little crevices for them to hide in if need be.

Aquascape:

I adjusted the rock work a little bit by adding more rocks to create more crevices for the fish as well as flat surfaces if I ever decide to throw in some hardy soft corals. Personally starting to envision the entire rock work covered only by Green Star Polyps, but we will see. Also of course dropped in more rock rubble for the mantis shrimp to use a building supplies.

 

[Pazzoman]

Update: Tank is still in the cycling process, I'm very suprise since a lot of reviews of the Turbo Start were very successful. Debating on having my LFS test the water to make sure my API Test Kit is accurate.

New Equipment: Decided to invest in the Tropic Marin Hydrometer and a Graduated Cylinder for Salinity testing. I have a refractometer, but figured this Hydrometer is the most accurate way possible for salinity testing. Currently reading at 1.0245

 

[Pazzoman]

Hey Everyone, update time.

Still CYCLING! This is definitely the longest a tank has ever took cycling for me. I find it very odd since the Turbo Boost, brought my cycling the next day to show nitrites. I brought my water to the LFS to test to make sure my API kit is accurate and it is. Might add Seachem Stability, since that is what I used to use and see if that helps.

 

[mpatterson42]

Yeah that's surprising, my tank took about 10 days to cycle with Turbo Start (I'm basing that on ammonia spiking them going to 0, then my nitrite spiking then going to 0) and was a 40G breeder. What readings are you still getting?

 

[Fish Fan]

Hey Everyone, update time.

Still CYCLING! This is definitely the longest a tank has ever took cycling for me. I find it very odd since the Turbo Boost, brought my cycling the next day to show nitrites. I brought my water to the LFS to test to make sure my API kit is accurate and it is. Might add Seachem Stability, since that is what I used to use and see if that helps.

What are you seeing, ammonia? If so, the API test kit has a reputation of showing like 0.25 ppm for ammonia when it’s really zero or very near zero.

Nitrites are not considered toxic in marine systems, so i wouldn’t worry about that.

What else is going on?

 

[Pazzoman]

Here are my current readings, I’m still just waiting for Nitrites to come down to 0. Nitrates has been showing for the past week at least, so I’m hoping Nitrite goes to 0 soon.

 

[Fish Fan]

Looks like things are going well. It's not a ad idea ot be patient a few more days or so and wait for that nitrite to zero out, but nitrite is not toxic in marine tanks the way it is in freshwater systems, so you're pretty much good to go. Many would suggest doing a water chance to lower nitrates once the cycle is complete.

 

[Pazzoman]

Looks like things are going well. It's not a ad idea ot be patient a few more days or so and wait for that nitrite to zero out, but nitrite is not toxic in marine tanks the way it is in freshwater systems, so you're pretty much good to go. Many would suggest doing a water chance to lower nitrates once the cycle is complete.

Interesting never knew about Nitrites not being dangerous compared to freshwater. I’ll probably give it another week, then I’ll do a big water change before adding anything. I have seen videos of people having a six line wrasse/ damsel with their shrimp. Most likely will get both before the shrimp to keep the water cycled as well as hope they can be tank mates in the long run.

 

[Fish Fan]

That's not a bad plan at all.

Here's a link to some info about the nitrite:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/nitrite-toxicity.402708/post-4805029

 

[OrionN]

I saw this guy last weekend and almost bought him

 

[Fish Fan]

I saw this guy last weekend and almost bought him

What a spud lol!

 

[OrionN]

One of these days, I am going to setup a species tank just for one of this exotic beauty.