Mantis shrimp in 33g sump?

[spit.fire]

ive got a 40g cube reef tank with a 33g sump/refugium and im wondering if it would be safe to put a mantis shrimp in the refugium or should i set up a species tank?


in the refugium it will have approx 25 gallons to play in

[apexifd]

as long as you can prevent it trying to get into the return pump.

[spit.fire]

Originally Posted by apexifd

as long as you can prevent it trying to get into the return pump.

the return pump is in a separate compartment and it would have to get through a 3" sponge to get to it

[apexifd]

then you do have much to worry about. as long as it won't be able to getting to DT then go ahead and put one in.

[viperfish]

What kind of substrate do you have in your fuge? Keep in mind to keep the Mantis happy you'll need lots of rocks (rubble that it can move around) so it can build caves and it will stir up the substrate. The whole idea behind a refugium is to have an undisturbed area where macro algae, pods, and beneficial bacteria can flourish. This will not be the case when the Mantis is in there. The short answer is yes it can be done, but all you will end up with is an area that is less than ideal for a mantis and a refugium that is not fully serving its purpose.

[spit.fire]

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

What kind of substrate do you have in your fuge? Keep in mind to keep the Mantis happy you'll need lots of rocks (rubble that it can move around) so it can build caves and it will stir up the substrate. The whole idea behind a refugium is to have an undisturbed area where macro algae, pods, and beneficial bacteria can flourish. This will not be the case when the Mantis is in there. The short answer is yes it can be done, but all you will end up with is an area that is less than ideal for a mantis and a refugium that is not fully serving its purpose.

makes sense, im not to sure what the stuff in my refugium is but i plan on changing it, ive got a 29g thats sitting doing nothing so maybe ill stick a mantis in there

[viperfish]

The Biocube should work fine. I had one in a RSM 130. A word of advice, get a sheet of acrylic to cover the bottom. When the Mantis tunnels to the bottom of the tank, it will smash away at the glass like crazy!