Need Expert opinion on breaking down tank

[fishy7]

I have invested quite a bit of money in my tank and as everyone knows I have a mantis in the tank that I can not get out. There are a few ways to do this but this is the one I am leaning towards.
I want to do this right so I do not loose any of my livestock along the way.
CONCERNS: moving around all the rock will casue amonia spike and stress my fish.
I am looking for your thoughts on my idea and make any suggestions.
1) I am going to start another tank and move my clowns, chromis, 6line, pep&cleaner shrimp over. I also have 2 bta's, hammer, polyps and xenia.
Q: how big of a tank do you think I need to set up? I have been wanting a HEX.......
2) Since the new tank will not have enough room for the rock I was going to leave it in the big tank, drain it down to get the fish out and then fill it back up and let it run with only the mantis in there. Mr mantis will run out of food and die and then my problem is solved. :thinking:
Sounds like it will work, what do you think?????????????

 

[bchbum189]

i think that mantis is gonna find food for a long time in that tank, longer than you would probably want to stick all the valuables into a smaller tank. Why not put fish in small tank, and begin the hunt for the mantis going rock by rock, and drain water into a cheap plastic tub as to not give mantis opportunity to hide in another rock. Once hes out(if hes out) water change it and wait a couple days and put all fish back in

 

[fishy7]

Originally Posted by bchbum189
i think that mantis is gonna find food for a long time in that tank, longer than you would probably want to stick all the valuables into a smaller tank. Why not put fish in small tank, and begin the hunt for the mantis going rock by rock, and drain water into a cheap plastic tub as to not give mantis opportunity to hide in another rock. Once hes out(if hes out) water change it and wait a couple days and put all fish back in
bch thanks for the response. I think you are right about finding food, he will. I plan on having my tank apart for 2 months and will get a 100+ gal tank to house everyone comfortably. It's not the Ritz but close enought.
I do not want to be rushed and on a time table. I am not going to consider the hunt over till I see the mantis.

Thanks for the imput.

 

[fishgeek01]

Take the rock out one at a time, placing it in tupperware tubs. Once you have the rock out you should be able to find the beast within. You shouldnt have to remove the fish. It should not take to long to remove the rock and search for the beast, i think if you did it on a saturday you could start in the morning and by evening have him out and the tank set back up the way you had, no other tank needed, unless of course you are looking for an excuse to buy a new tank (i do that too)

 

[fishy7]

Originally Posted by Fishgeek01
Take the rock out one at a time, placing it in tupperware tubs. Once you have the rock out you should be able to find the beast within. You shouldnt have to remove the fish. It should not take to long to remove the rock and search for the beast, i think if you did it on a saturday you could start in the morning and by evening have him out and the tank set back up the way you had, no other tank needed, unless of course you are looking for an excuse to buy a new tank (i do that too)
Hey Fish. I hear exactly what you are saying piece by piece.

my MAJOR concern is when I get to the bottom pieces and start disturbing the SB.

Do you think this will cause an ammonia spike?

Another tank does sound awfully nice but do not need another at this time.( I am guilty of this trick)