New from Middle Tennessee

[A3M0N]

Hi everyone! I live near Nashville, TN. My wife has been wanting a ghost mantis for a while, so I've been researching the needs for one or two ghost mantises (I've read ghosts are the few mantises that can be housed together). I'm a big fan of DIY and already keep a planted aquarium, the plan is to build a new stand to hold my 10 gallon tank next to a small mantis terrarium. I want to make a DIY small five-ish gallon aquarium in the future, so I'm planning to DIY a small glass terrarium with screen top with Serpa Design for basic inspiration.

This isn't likely to happen in the near future, just looking for resources and learning right now. The high cost of everything is taking a bite out of our budget for projects like this as well.

 

[hibiscusmile]

Welcome. They don't have to break the bank. You can do your set up in steps. To start with jut go with a simple container and add a stick or two and it would be happy like that as long as it is big enough to molt. I use a small container on my site for all the smaller mantis to grow in ad a lot just use a deli cup with insect lids. Like this https://www.mantisplace.com/product-page/1-medium-round-1

 

[agent A]

Hi everyone! I live near Nashville, TN. My wife has been wanting a ghost mantis for a while, so I've been researching the needs for one or two ghost mantises (I've read ghosts are the few mantises that can be housed together). I'm a big fan of DIY and already keep a planted aquarium, the plan is to build a new stand to hold my 10 gallon tank next to a small mantis terrarium. I want to make a DIY small five-ish gallon aquarium in the future, so I'm planning to DIY a small glass terrarium with screen top with Serpa Design for basic inspiration.

This isn't likely to happen in the near future, just looking for resources and learning right now. The high cost of everything is taking a bite out of our budget for projects like this as well.

WELCOME from CO!
so I have a few questions for ya
please remember I'm autistic so some of these questions come from a place of me not understanding unseen elements of the situation
1: Are you looking to keep a mantis alive and thriving or are you looking to have a nice pretty thingy to look at that happens to have a mantis within it? Because Phyllocrania paradoxa can comfortably live out their whole lives in deli cups fashioned with a strip of a fake plant across the rim and a ventilated lid. I try to keep my setups SIMPLE because I have so many critters, and I'd rather go all-out for things that are a bit more finicky. For example, dart frogs tend to do poorly without a bioactive substrate and live plants. I breed frogs and because tadpoles are kinda dumb and will EAT live plants (and then die), I have to use snail-free (because snails can transmit deadly parasites to tadpoles) LIVE plants to breed my frogs... But for a small mantis, I don't fret
2: Are you planning to breed your mantises? I tell people to NEVER house mantises together if they have a small number of them, no matter how "communal" they seem. If you house 2 of these guys together, there's still a likelihood only 1 will be alive one day, snacking on the other.
3: Do you HAVE to use glass? I'm personally a fan of plastic. I am VERY clumsy and if I drop something that's plastic, it USUALLY won't shatter and make stabby pieces all over my floor. Also, plastic is lighter and it's less expensive than glass usually. I know a guy who's a retired plastics engineer and could probably help you source cheap, transparent plastic sheets you could then build into a custom box!

ok, now for some suggestions
1: thrift stores are a gold-mine for fun glass containers you can turn into terraria!
2: I would be cautious about your terrarium design. P. paradoxa is not a species that's a fan of high humidity. It hails from seasonal dry forests in Madagascar, and a lot of things can go wrong when it's too humid. The other thing is many years bag a pervasive myth about mantises being able to suction moisture out of the air went around, which we now know is just not true. Internal hydration is ALWAYS more essential than external humidity. I have my mantises in well-ventilated containers that get a thorough misting every 2 days so the insects can lap up water, but I'm not using anything too drastic to keep humidity up. So you'll want a container that has a pretty wide top so air can flow pretty easily through it
3: if you're down for it, I could provide you with some stuff. I have a TON of extra ferns, various aroid cuttings, and other plants I could send your way for little money and you could use them in a terrarium. I also have leaf litter and substrate. You'll want to make a mix of substrate that has variety in particle sizes (think chunky) and you'll need about an inch thick layer of gravel or leca for drainage. A challenge with terrariums is they can get too sodden and ANOXIC very rapidly if you're not careful
4: I can also offer Odontomantis micans, a species far-better suited IMO for a terrarium situation. They love a lot of space, are very active, and don't tend to cannibalize much. The lifespan of the females is also 6-8 months after that final molt in some instances

you know what, just message me. I'll work on getting pics of some of my setups and such if you wanna learn more

 

[A3M0N]

I wrote a reply to you @agent A , but for some reason I was banned for spam? Apparently it was a mistake and my account was restored but my reply went away, I'm hoping it will be restored. But if not, I'll get back to you later this evening.

 

[A3M0N]

please remember I'm autistic

I understand! My teenage son was recently diagnosed with ASD, and I have ADHD. We're a pretty neurodivergent crowd.

1: Are you looking to keep a mantis alive and thriving or are you looking to have a nice pretty thingy to look at that happens to have a mantis within it?

Both! I'm also a big fan of DIY, so I like to make things. I've been reading up on how to culture flies as well, I've never done that before. But I did read that harlequin rasboras eat fruit flies too, so I could use them as a source of live food for my aquarium too.

2: Are you planning to breed your mantises?

It's not my plan, per se, but I'm also not opposed to it. I haven't been able to find any breeders in my area, could be an opportunity to make some money while also enjoying a hobby. BUT, I have a family, work full-time, and am a graduate student - so it may not be a good idea right now.

3: Do you HAVE to use glass?

I guess not, but I do plan to learn how to DIY small aquariums as well, so working with glass seems to be killing two birds with one stone. A big enough sheet of glass from a big box hardware store is only around $16, and silicone isn't expensive. Vivarium/terrarium Doors are the part I'm trying to work out in my head at the moment.

ok, now for some suggestions
1: thrift stores are a gold-mine for fun glass containers you can turn into terraria!

Oh yeah! I've been eyeing those glass lantern housings for an enclosure. Just have to watch out for gaps around the door.

2: I would be cautious about your terrarium design. P. paradoxa is not a species that's a fan of high humidity.

Thanks for that heads up! I'll need to plan in extra ventilation.

3: if you're down for it, I could provide you with some stuff.

I may take you up on that! I'm still in planning and research phase, but I'll definitely message you when I get closer.

4: I can also offer Odontomantis micans

I'll have to look into that. This is for my wife though, she's interested in keeping a ghost mantis right now.

 

[A3M0N]

Welcome. They don't have to break the bank.

Thanks! I think the cost of shipping a mantis is going to be more than an enclosure at this point. And there are always things that can nickel and dime you to death that you didn't plan for. Like not only do I need to worry about the mantis and its enclosure, I will also need to buy flies and containers, media, materials, etc for them as well.

 

[agent A]

I understand! My teenage son was recently diagnosed with ASD, and I have ADHD. We're a pretty neurodivergent crowd.

1: Are you looking to keep a mantis alive and thriving or are you looking to have a nice pretty thingy to look at that happens to have a mantis within it?

Both! I'm also a big fan of DIY, so I like to make things. I've been reading up on how to culture flies as well, I've never done that before. But I did read that harlequin rasboras eat fruit flies too, so I could use them as a source of live food for my aquarium too.

so the reason I asked this is because these 2 things often times don't go hand-in-hand. Often, people make lovely terraria that are just too large for a captive mantis to hunt efficiently within, and the terraria often times get dirty and harm the mantis

2: Are you planning to breed your mantises?

It's not my plan, per se, but I'm also not opposed to it. I haven't been able to find any breeders in my area, could be an opportunity to make some money while also enjoying a hobby. BUT, I have a family, work full-time, and am a graduate student - so it may not be a good idea right now.

master's or PhD?

3: Do you HAVE to use glass?

I guess not, but I do plan to learn how to DIY small aquariums as well, so working with glass seems to be killing two birds with one stone. A big enough sheet of glass from a big box hardware store is only around $16, and silicone isn't expensive. Vivarium/terrarium Doors are the part I'm trying to work out in my head at the moment.

how do you have time to learn how to cut glass but not to breed mantises? haha

ok, now for some suggestions
1: thrift stores are a gold-mine for fun glass containers you can turn into terraria!

Oh yeah! I've been eyeing those glass lantern housings for an enclosure. Just have to watch out for gaps around the door.

that's what silicone is for!

2: I would be cautious about your terrarium design. P. paradoxa is not a species that's a fan of high humidity.

Thanks for that heads up! I'll need to plan in extra ventilation.

3: if you're down for it, I could provide you with some stuff.

I may take you up on that! I'm still in planning and research phase, but I'll definitely message you when I get closer.

4: I can also offer Odontomantis micans

I'll have to look into that. This is for my wife though, she's interested in keeping a ghost mantis right now.

 

[A3M0N]

so the reason I asked this is because these 2 things often times don't go hand-in-hand. Often, people make lovely terraria that are just too large for a captive mantis to hunt efficiently within, and the terraria often times get dirty and harm the mantis

I got ya. I don't plan to pack it with stuff. Maybe a branch or two and pothos or something like that, maybe something that will climb the branches. Some moss on the back wall.

master's or PhD?

Master's in Professional Counseling. Like one of my friends told his wife, I told mine to slap me if I ever say the word doctorate! I'm too old and struggle enough already!

how do you have time to learn how to cut glass but not to breed mantises? haha

Glass doesn't multiply! I don't have to feed, find homes for, or try to sell cut pieces of glass. You only need one $8 tool to cut class.

 

[agent A]

I got ya. I don't plan to pack it with stuff. Maybe a branch or two and pothos or something like that, maybe something that will climb the branches. Some moss on the back wall.

I think you'd love a few mini orchids or mini ferns in there. Pothos get quite large over time and you'll find yourself cutting it up constantly

Master's in Professional Counseling. Like one of my friends told his wife, I told mine to slap me if I ever say the word doctorate! I'm too old and struggle enough already!

you're never too old to get a doctorate. OK maybe if you're like 90 you are

Glass doesn't multiply! I don't have to feed, find homes for, or try to sell cut pieces of glass. You only need one $8 tool to cut class.

ah, I didn't realize you could cut glass that easily! Who woulda thought?

 

[A3M0N]

Pothos get quite large over time and you'll find yourself cutting it up constantly

Ah, good call!

you're never too old to get a doctorate. OK maybe if you're like 90 you are

I'm 41 right now, I'll be just over 43 when I finish my degree program. Then two more years to get my license, so I'll be 45ish. This is like my 5th career. I worked in IT/web development when younger, 12 years total in the Air Force (two jobs there, aircraft mechanic then retrained to intelligence analyst), youth ministry, now I work in mental health.

ah, I didn't realize you could cut glass that easily! Who woulda thought?

Yup! This is the tool I bought: https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/hand-tools/utility-and-hobby-knives/11179

I'm not sure really how good it is, I've only been practicing on really cheap, really thin glass that I understand is hard to do. It's easier with thicker glass, but not super thick.

Tanner on the SerpaDesign YouTube channel does a good about of glass cutting for his projects.

This dude's work is phenomenal! But he is cutting like 1/4in glass. His aquariums are fantastic.

 

[agent A]

Ah, good call!


I'm 41 right now, I'll be just over 43 when I finish my degree program. Then two more years to get my license, so I'll be 45ish. This is like my 5th career. I worked in IT/web development when younger, 12 years total in the Air Force (two jobs there, aircraft mechanic then retrained to intelligence analyst), youth ministry, now I work in mental health.

if you are doing a thesis-based master's I'd love to read it!
I've only had 1 major career: research
that's an interesting jump from ministry to mental health. I'm not religious so I don't know much about how ministry works but from watching Criminal Minds and various cult documentaries, I get the impression those 2 jobs are a bit opposed to each other

Yup! This is the tool I bought: https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/hand-tools/utility-and-hobby-knives/11179

I'm not sure really how good it is, I've only been practicing on really cheap, really thin glass that I understand is hard to do. It's easier with thicker glass, but not super thick.

I try to stay away from glass. I'm really clumsy and I drop everything. This is why I don't hold babies lol
For plastics, I usually just cut it with a soldering iron although that's probably TERRIBLE for my lungs

Tanner on the SerpaDesign YouTube channel does a good about of glass cutting for his projects.

This dude's work is phenomenal! But he is cutting like 1/4in glass. His aquariums are fantastic.

I do not know if I could deal with that sound! I have pretty bad misophonia and any kind of glass sounds really freak me out!

 

[A3M0N]

I'm not religious so I don't know much about how ministry works but from watching Criminal Minds and various cult documentaries, I get the impression those 2 jobs are a bit opposed to each other

Yeah, most of Christianity is nothing like TV and defiantly not a cult (I was a big fan of Criminal Minds myself). My undergrad degree is Bible and Ministry, I'm not going to stray into theology here, but if a person really reads and understands the Bible, mental health and Christianity go together just fine. However, there are Christians (usually older people) who, for whatever reason, feel like psychology/psychiatry and anything related is sinful. I mean, those people will go to a family practice for the sniffles without a worry, or have chemo to treat cancer. But see a therapist to talk about their issues or see a psychiatrist for a medication to help regulate a brain chemical, nope. The leadership of the church I attend are happy that I do what I do, I'm actually currently teaching a six week Sunday school class to 2nd-5th graders about emotional intelligence.

Having said that, and ranted a bit - no, ministry and mental health aren't really that different. They're both simply caring for a fellow human's wellbeing. One just uses Jesus' example as a guide, the other can take or leave Jesus and still help.

On to other topics!

if you are doing a thesis-based master's I'd love to read it!

Sorry, no thesis in my program. But I do enjoy talking about mental health and therapy, so if you have questions or thoughts for an about half-way done grad student (with experience in case management and crisis care) I'm down.

 

[agent A]

Yeah, most of Christianity is nothing like TV and defiantly not a cult (I was a big fan of Criminal Minds myself).

I also love Criminal Minds!

My undergrad degree is Bible and Ministry,

man they'll let kids these days read any book enough times for a degree in it won't they? kidding

I'm not going to stray into theology here, but if a person really reads and understands the Bible, mental health and Christianity go together just fine. However, there are Christians (usually older people) who, for whatever reason, feel like psychology/psychiatry and anything related is sinful. I mean, those people will go to a family practice for the sniffles without a worry, or have chemo to treat cancer. But see a therapist to talk about their issues or see a psychiatrist for a medication to help regulate a brain chemical, nope.

eh, this happens even in secular circles. I don't think my mother was a true believer in any gods but she definitely had issues with people taking psych meds, but if she needed cholesterol or BP meds for something that coulda been solved by just being less fat, it was fine to take those meds. And it wasn't like we were on food stamps where we had no choice but to buy garbage to eat

The leadership of the church I attend are happy that I do what I do, I'm actually currently teaching a six week Sunday school class to 2nd-5th graders about emotional intelligence.

I am surprised in Tennessee things are that progressive. I know your stately neighbor Kentuckey has the dumpster fires Greg Locke and AIG

Having said that, and ranted a bit - no, ministry and mental health aren't really that different. They're both simply caring for a fellow human's wellbeing. One just uses Jesus' example as a guide, the other can take or leave Jesus and still help.

On to other topics!



Sorry, no thesis in my program. But I do enjoy talking about mental health and therapy, so if you have questions or thoughts for an about half-way done grad student (with experience in case management and crisis care) I'm down.

ok, serious question
do people in your profession REALLY care about whether or not someone offs themselves, or is it more a conditioning by the government invested in keeping as many taxpayers kicking as they can? because with the therapists having waitlists, having psych appointments with providers who aren't prescribing enough meds to get someone between appointments, and the incredible lack of oversight into how therapists are allowed to act, I'm getting fed up with the entire system

 

[hibiscusmile]

On to the glass cutting, We were in the glass business for about 30 years . Some of what he is cutting is close to 1/2" glass.
My husband was able to cut glass standing in a frame at a Discount Drug Mart as the owner stood by to watch. He broke it in the frame and removed it without taking the frame apart. Maybe I can up load a video of a commercial we did.
Onto the teaching in church. I think that's great, A varied class would do them good. My brother is a pastor in Tn and does a you tube video on Sundays.

 

[A3M0N]

I was born in Charleston, SC but have lived all over the world basically. Started college in Montgomery, AL then got married and moved back to SC. In the Air Force we spent 3 years stationed in England, 3 years stationed in FL, and 2 years stationed in Northern CA. Then we lived in TX for nearly 5 years, and now in TN for about 2 years. It never ceases to amaze me how or why people who are not from the Southern states just seem to assume we're all backward country bumpkins with no idea what the word modern means. I, and likely most of TN and the South, are on the conservative side politically, but we care quite a bit about mental health and other "progressive" issues.

Of course we care if someone commits suicide! That literally is what I do everyday, I answer the phone not knowing what a person is going to say, what they're going to tell me they have done or are planning to do. The weight of knowing I may not be able to help them is extremely heavy. But I love to help people, so that's what I do.

No, there is absolutely nothing we gain from the government. I will never, ever be rich in this profession. Luckily the Post 9/11 GI Bill paid for my undergrad and most of my graduate, but my benefits run out next semester, so I'll be scholarship hunting and taking out more student loans. Right now I don't make a ton more than a retail worker. As a private practice licensed therapist I could probably get away with charging around $100 per session/hour for cash only clients, but that really isn't likely to happen. And even though that sounds expensive, I still have my family to feed and bills to pay. I'll have to pay for malpractice insurance, for continuing education, for an accountant, for an attorney, office space rental, etc. More than likely if I go a private practice route I'll have to accept insurance reimbursements, which will be around $70-$90 per hour with all the same costs. But right now I plan to work in community mental health, working with clients who the fancier therapist don't want to work with. The homeless, drug addicts, ex-convicts, etc. I was a case manager for this population before going into crisis care. So yeah, we absolutely care about people. And it's much, so much more than suicidal clients.

There is no "incredible lack of oversight" over therapists/counselors. There are federal laws about how we conduct our profession. There are state laws about how we conduct our profession, every state has its own licensure board that governs who will become licensed and oversees the laws and code of ethics for that state. Most states require licensure renewal every 2 years, also within those 2 years a therapist must complete several hours of continuing education. And there are many professional organizations, like for myself I'll be joining the American Counseling Association (ACA), which have their own codes of ethics that members are bound by. There is also the American Psychological Association (APA), American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), etc.

And the reason there are waitlists for therapists is there aren't enough therapists to go around! The demand was already high, but COVID blew everything up. Those quarantine months were rough on our collective mental health. And there are emerging issues as well, such as more men are seeking mental health treatment but often aren't comfortable with a female therapist and there are far more female than male therapists. Psychiatric providers have to start low with medications, everyone reacts differently to them. For example, I take Adderall XR for ADHD, currently 25mg 2x per day. It works very well for me, but I started on regular Adderall at 10mg 1x per day. It took my psychiatrist and myself several months to get that dialed in. But if a person isn't willing to put in the work required to get to that point and quit taking the meds, then of course it will appear providers aren't doing enough. Then you have conditions such as schizophrenia where there is only one or two medications available, and no new research has come out in decades, so if neither of those two medications work for a client things can get rough.

As you can see, we have a long, long way to go as a society as it pertains to mental health and education.

 

[agent A]

I was born in Charleston, SC but have lived all over the world basically. Started college in Montgomery, AL then got married and moved back to SC. In the Air Force we spent 3 years stationed in England, 3 years stationed in FL, and 2 years stationed in Northern CA. Then we lived in TX for nearly 5 years, and now in TN for about 2 years. It never ceases to amaze me how or why people who are not from the Southern states just seem to assume we're all backward country bumpkins with no idea what the word modern means. I, and likely most of TN and the South, are on the conservative side politically, but we care quite a bit about mental health and other "progressive" issues.

I mean statistically speaking, it's a fair assumption, although I admit there will be exceptions
I'm pretty left-leaning, but there are some liberals who have a sense of entitlement and no sense of personal accountability I can't stand. I still believe people need to work for what they have, for example

Of course we care if someone commits suicide! That literally is what I do everyday, I answer the phone not knowing what a person is going to say, what they're going to tell me they have done or are planning to do. The weight of knowing I may not be able to help them is extremely heavy. But I love to help people, so that's what I do.

Honestly, I believe you, although I get fed up sometimes because the actions of almost everyone I've been around tell me that at the very least, they aren't aware of how they're detrimental to my well-being, and at worst, they actively seek to hurt me. I don't want to believe people are just that stupid but come on people the way I've been treated by most isn't ok. Not to say anyone here is doing this but there are a few people around me now who are

No, there is absolutely nothing we gain from the government. I will never, ever be rich in this profession. Luckily the Post 9/11 GI Bill paid for my undergrad and most of my graduate, but my benefits run out next semester, so I'll be scholarship hunting and taking out more student loans. Right now I don't make a ton more than a retail worker. As a private practice licensed therapist I could probably get away with charging around $100 per session/hour for cash only clients, but that really isn't likely to happen. And even though that sounds expensive, I still have my family to feed and bills to pay. I'll have to pay for malpractice insurance, for continuing education, for an accountant, for an attorney, office space rental, etc. More than likely if I go a private practice route I'll have to accept insurance reimbursements, which will be around $70-$90 per hour with all the same costs. But right now I plan to work in community mental health, working with clients who the fancier therapist don't want to work with. The homeless, drug addicts, ex-convicts, etc. I was a case manager for this population before going into crisis care. So yeah, we absolutely care about people. And it's much, so much more than suicidal clients.

There is no "incredible lack of oversight" over therapists/counselors. There are federal laws about how we conduct our profession. There are state laws about how we conduct our profession, every state has its own licensure board that governs who will become licensed and oversees the laws and code of ethics for that state. Most states require licensure renewal every 2 years, also within those 2 years a therapist must complete several hours of continuing education. And there are many professional organizations, like for myself I'll be joining the American Counseling Association (ACA), which have their own codes of ethics that members are bound by. There is also the American Psychological Association (APA), American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), etc.

I mean I had a very dismissive therapist who befriended my mother. She didn't think some of the things I was experiencing were big deals (like nightmares and paranoia). That whole situation left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

And the reason there are waitlists for therapists is there aren't enough therapists to go around! The demand was already high, but COVID blew everything up. Those quarantine months were rough on our collective mental health. And there are emerging issues as well, such as more men are seeking mental health treatment but often aren't comfortable with a female therapist and there are far more female than male therapists. Psychiatric providers have to start low with medications, everyone reacts differently to them. For example, I take Adderall XR for ADHD, currently 25mg 2x per day. It works very well for me, but I started on regular Adderall at 10mg 1x per day. It took my psychiatrist and myself several months to get that dialed in. But if a person isn't willing to put in the work required to get to that point and quit taking the meds, then of course it will appear providers aren't doing enough. Then you have conditions such as schizophrenia where there is only one or two medications available, and no new research has come out in decades, so if neither of those two medications work for a client things can get rough.

As you can see, we have a long, long way to go as a society as it pertains to mental health and education.

I wish there was a clause where people screwed up long before COVID got priority! But I was forcefully isolated as a child (not gonna get into all of the details right now) for almost a year and things went downhill from there.

 

[TheWolven]

Honestly, I believe you, although I get fed up sometimes because the actions of almost everyone I've been around tell me that at the very least, they aren't aware of how they're detrimental to my well-being, and at worst, they actively seek to hurt me. I don't want to believe people are just that stupid but come on people the way I've been treated by most isn't ok. Not to say anyone here is doing this but there are a few people around me now who are.

This is why I sent you a frog pillow case.

 

[A3M0N]

I mean statistically speaking, it's a fair assumption

No, is not.

I mean I had a very dismissive therapist who befriended my mother

Definitely not ethical.