N. Wennerae/ Damselfish- 14g Biocube vs 29g Biocube

finkjor123 · 06/23/2011, 10:36 PM

Hello Reefcentral,
Over the past few weeks of researching mantis shrimp and how to keep them, I have come across a dilemma. I would like to have a basic tank setup with a N. Wennerae mantis, and a yellow tail damsel, but I cannot decide whether or not I should buy the 29 gallon biocube, or stay with my originally planned 14 gallon biocube. I will be buying liverock from tbsaltwater as I live nearby, and in addition to whatever creatures hitchhike on the rock, I will be adding blue legged hermits and possibly a turbo snail to help with waste management. So essentially my debate is whether or not I should spend the extra money for the 29 gallon and all of the additional expenses (more liverock, sand, water, salt, etc.) or if the 14 gallon will allow me to comfortably keep these specimens. I will not be expanding, as I will be going to college in less than 2 years, and will not be getting overly involved as I have allot of commitments. I will keep it at the two specimens, and I realize it is very possible that the damsel will be eaten. I have heard smaller tanks can be troublesome with water issues, but with just these hardy specimens will it really be that much harder than a 29 gallon? At this moment I see no reason to spend the additional money if I don't need to, but I work two jobs, so I could afford the 29 if I waited a little longer. I know I will be criticized for wanting the damselfish in there with the mantis, but I want something I can see once in a while incase my mantis goes MIA all the time in the rock. I would like to have the larger tank, but I cannot justify spending the money if I do not need to, or have a good reason to. Thanks for all the responses on other posts, I think I have all expenses planned for and the know how to setup and run the tank thanks to you guys, so help me out here. Thank you guys, and if the damsel is really a bad idea, is there anything else that would add vitality and give me something to view when the mantis is hiding? Thanks alot guys!

jinks · 06/24/2011, 01:02 AM

Sooner or later the shrimp is going to tag the damsel. The 14 should be good. I wouldn't want to spend the money on a 29 for just a mantis. From what i have seen they hide most of the time. Not going to be a very active tank. If you want something to look at a 29 nano reef can be fun.

MRICKEN1012 · 06/24/2011, 01:54 PM

he will eat your crabs and snails, the damsel should be fine though. I had a yellow tail damsel with my peacock mantis in a 5g tank, the damsel knew to stay away. Maybe it was lucky though.....the 14g will work.
there is a mantis section on this site. You will find a bunch of good info

Raggamuffin · 06/24/2011, 06:24 PM

May also want to go the WAY cheaper route, since you don't mention corals I figure maybe a soft coral or 2 will find the way in so a plain 20L with a PC light and a powerhead would work just as well and save 200-300 bucks. Just need to keep up the water changes and top offs which isn't nearly as hard as people make it seem since you are going to have to do it anyway.

06/23/2011, 10:36 PM	#1
finkjor123 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 42	N. Wennerae/ Damselfish- 14g Biocube vs 29g Biocube Hello Reefcentral, Over the past few weeks of researching mantis shrimp and how to keep them, I have come across a dilemma. I would like to have a basic tank setup with a N. Wennerae mantis, and a yellow tail damsel, but I cannot decide whether or not I should buy the 29 gallon biocube, or stay with my originally planned 14 gallon biocube. I will be buying liverock from tbsaltwater as I live nearby, and in addition to whatever creatures hitchhike on the rock, I will be adding blue legged hermits and possibly a turbo snail to help with waste management. So essentially my debate is whether or not I should spend the extra money for the 29 gallon and all of the additional expenses (more liverock, sand, water, salt, etc.) or if the 14 gallon will allow me to comfortably keep these specimens. I will not be expanding, as I will be going to college in less than 2 years, and will not be getting overly involved as I have allot of commitments. I will keep it at the two specimens, and I realize it is very possible that the damsel will be eaten. I have heard smaller tanks can be troublesome with water issues, but with just these hardy specimens will it really be that much harder than a 29 gallon? At this moment I see no reason to spend the additional money if I don't need to, but I work two jobs, so I could afford the 29 if I waited a little longer. I know I will be criticized for wanting the damselfish in there with the mantis, but I want something I can see once in a while incase my mantis goes MIA all the time in the rock. I would like to have the larger tank, but I cannot justify spending the money if I do not need to, or have a good reason to. Thanks for all the responses on other posts, I think I have all expenses planned for and the know how to setup and run the tank thanks to you guys, so help me out here. Thank you guys, and if the damsel is really a bad idea, is there anything else that would add vitality and give me something to view when the mantis is hiding? Thanks alot guys!

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06/24/2011, 01:02 AM	#2
jinks Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 581	Sooner or later the shrimp is going to tag the damsel. The 14 should be good. I wouldn't want to spend the money on a 29 for just a mantis. From what i have seen they hide most of the time. Not going to be a very active tank. If you want something to look at a 29 nano reef can be fun.

06/24/2011, 01:54 PM	#3
MRICKEN1012 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: michigan Posts: 662	he will eat your crabs and snails, the damsel should be fine though. I had a yellow tail damsel with my peacock mantis in a 5g tank, the damsel knew to stay away. Maybe it was lucky though.....the 14g will work. there is a mantis section on this site. You will find a bunch of good info

06/24/2011, 06:24 PM	#4
Raggamuffin Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brandon SD. Posts: 541	May also want to go the WAY cheaper route, since you don't mention corals I figure maybe a soft coral or 2 will find the way in so a plain 20L with a PC light and a powerhead would work just as well and save 200-300 bucks. Just need to keep up the water changes and top offs which isn't nearly as hard as people make it seem since you are going to have to do it anyway.