Yes, I too like the ricordia's, they have that mushroom look without growing like a weed.
I think so; there's a few posts of them eating snails and the like as well.
Sorry to hear about the struggles you're having best to wait as you say. Ricordias are definitely in Florida but not sure about the Gulf if that is what you are trying to replicate. Macro algae would be great and can help with the nitrate issue. Check out Gulf Coast Ecosystems for some algae native to the area and have you looked at KP Aquatics? There are some zoas native to the area and gorgonians would be worth checking out as well plus there are shrooms besides ricordias that are nice as well. There are other divers local to Florida as well. Maybe get with some to see what they find diving in the Gulf that might make for a nice display to go with the mantis.
The interesting thing is I started the 10 gallon mantis and a 15 gallon tank as my "main" tank at the same time with the same rock and sand. The 15 gallon looks beautiful, but the mantis tank is struggling. I think I need to up the flow, so I'm looking to get a Mighty Jet or a generic return pump. The 15 gallon has a Mighty Jet, and I think that's a big part of why it's doing so much better. The 10 gallon is also smaller, and the mantis is messy, so that tank has been a bit of a challenge so far.
Flow will definitely help especially with the cyano. I can't believe 5 gallons is making that much of a difference. What lights are you running on the mantis tank? Does the 15 gallon have more rock and sand? Macros will eventually help with the nuisance algae in time. It's tough because you can really use a normal cleanup crew because of the mantis and you would be risking fish as well if you had any you thought about putting in there to help. You might be able to try freshwater mollies conditioned for salt water. I hear they are great algae eaters and may eat hair algae. Good luck. I thought about doing a mantis tank. I think they're cool animals. They just got to be in their own tank.
I have not personally dealt with either but during my research over the last few years I have heard nothing bad about either but only good things. Macros and fish really can be seasonal around the Gulf area so you will always have to be on the lookout. Someone on here just recently got an order from the Gulf Coast Ecosystems and they were extremely happy with what they got. This person had already gotten some macros from somebody else that didn't last but these were a lot healthier when they arrived. Plus the person didn't receive any dead ones unlike from the previous place.
