Let there be light

stevesm · Mar 13, 2007

I have a really small place on teh ground floor and because of the location, I tend to keep the curtians closed during most days except weekends. Would I need artificial light for mantids? I can't see them being happy in semi-darkness most of the day.

Rick · Mar 13, 2007

They don't NEED it unless you have them in total darkness. I find they do better with some type of light be it natural or artificial. I have a large shelf system that my mantids stay on and along the top I just use one of those aquarium strip lights.

stevesm · Mar 13, 2007

Yes, I saw your setup in a different post Rick, most impressive. I'm trying to work out a way of incorporating something here. One room, stacked to the nines already.

I'm toying with the idea of clearing out one of my bookshelves and housing a few small tanks in there. I could concievably mount a striplight along the top. Would it need to be a daylight balanced bulb?

Rick · Mar 13, 2007

Yes, I saw your setup in a different post Rick, most impressive. I'm trying to work out a way of incorporating something here. One room, stacked to the nines already.I'm toying with the idea of clearing out one of my bookshelves and housing a few small tanks in there. I could concievably mount a striplight along the top. Would it need to be a daylight balanced bulb?

No. Any plain ole light will suffice.

stevesm · Mar 13, 2007

Thanks. One thing that attracts me to keeping mantids, apart from the marvelous photographic opportunities, is the cost. I can see it not costing a lot to get up and running with a few nice specimens.