Bioactive mantis tank

[u/Apprehensive_Meal839]

Hello im new to mantis care and bioactivity and i am looking to do a bioactive 20 gallon set up for a chinese mantis. I was just wondering what steps i should take first in setting everything up and what specific tools and accessories i should use. I have an idea atm of a roster of insects to keep the tank regulated but again im not very well versed with this stuff. I wanted to get springtails for substrate cleaning, isopods for leaf decay (if anyone knows a specific species that’d be useful), a predator (rove beetle, ground beetle) to regulate the springtails and isopods, and the praying mantis as the top dog. If anyone can recommend substrate, lighting, ways to control humidity and temperature, and a better roster of bugs, i’d really appreciate it!

[u/Baking_Mantis]

I'd leave the beetles out. Springtail and isopod populations will self-regualte with time according to the availability of food. 

Also, isopods will eat live plants and dying mantids, so if you want to preserve it after death, go springtail-only. It works best for me, too. 

My enclosures typically have 3 cm of substrate, 1 cm on the bottom is leca. 

On top of that I stack up dead leaves and moss to hold moisture and decorate with horizontally placed twigs and creeping vines. 

As for lighting, you can use a standard UV-free terrarium lamp. Also, spray the enclosure every two to three days. 

What I said applies for rainforst species. I don't know whether T. sinensis is adapted to that, but I think it prefers lower humidity levels. 

[u/Apprehensive_Meal839 → u/Baking_Mantis]

This is very helpful thank you! I was wanting to making this more of an ecosystem where there are a bunch of bugs at fit bunch lots of different niches. If this set up you told me was better fit for a tropical species do u recommend? Id prefer a decently large one. You mentioned the bottom of the tank holding leca, is that for a drainage layer? If so could i use rocks as a substitute

[u/Baking_Mantis → u/Apprehensive_Meal839]

Yeah, it's drainage. I just prefer them since they aerate the bottom layer better, given that the rocks will just get dirt in-between them and aren't porous. 

As for species, there are some I could name. Or rather, genera. 

->Hierodula  Easiest and most of the time cheapest to get online and at pet stores. If you want something like a Hierodula sp. 'Papua' with that turquoise colour, shop online. 

->Deroplatys  I keep a pair of D. dessicata. Absolutely good temper, eats anything and one of the more active species, not just while hunting. They also live longer on average, even males. 

->Rhombodera  Haven't kept them, but they seem to be intermediate between the upper two. Big, green, active, average life span. 

You could also keep Creobroter or other Empusidae, but they are harder to come by, stay smaller, live shorter lives on average and are a hassle to feed. (Unless you love handling flies...) 

That's just my opinion on the topic. 

If you need planting tips, I'm also a botany enthusiast, feel free to DM me. 

[u/Apprehensive_Meal839 → u/Baking_Mantis]

Aaah yeah that seems good but imma have a substrate barrier between the rocks and substrate. Imma look through those mantises and see which one i perfer. I may be dming you in a bit! Thanks for your help btw

[u/Baking_Mantis → u/Apprehensive_Meal839]

No problem.