I just finished aquascaping my 20 gallon high dwarf octo tank! I am very excited. It is completely ready, except for a skimmer (and octo-proofing it). I still need to get a skimmer, but I have a few cheapo ones bought for my 75 gallon that would work until I decide if I wanna get a new one. I think I did everything right. RO/DI water, lots of hiding places, medium flow, high filtration, small amount of live rock, ~1 inch sand, macros, etc. I'm making this a natural setup. I want a dwarf octo to get my feet wet in cephalopods, even though the common problems with dwarfs, short life span, nocturnal, etc. Since it is a dwarf, do I need to cover the intake tubes on filters and powerheads with something? Do dwarfs take to frozen with the same success rate as bimacs? BTW, this tank has been cycling for about 5 months now, and the pods population has exploded. I added some hermits for clean up, but they won't be around much longer...;)

Pics to come when the water has cleared!

No comments? If I get him, and he turns out to be a larger species, then he's going either in the 75 reef, or the 40.

Ugh...pics tomorrow...too tired now...

pretty cool. Cant wait to see the pics.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n78/brockfluharty/octofulltankshot.jpg

Sorry about the brightness. it was too dark, so I lightened it a little. Still have to properly seal it, and get the skimmer on the back.

Comments please?

Since it is a dwarf, do I need to cover the intake tubes on filters and powerheads with something? Do dwarfs take to frozen with the same success rate as bimacs?


I would say that with any cephalopod you should cover the intakes. Octopus are curious animals and all cephalopods are delicate. As for feeding, it depends on the species, age and personality of each individual octopus as to whether it eats frozen food. I think all octopus owners should be prepared to provide live food for the lifespan of your animal. You might get lucky and your octopus will take frozen, but you shouldn't count on it.

Alrighty. Covering, and I already have a source for live fiddlers, hermits, etc.

I REALLY want an O. mercatoris. They are awesome, dwarfs, and large egg layers!!! Isn't that the species that Akyu had?

lol oddly enough I'm not used to seeing live rock like that all mine is covered with pink coralline algea. Maybe trying www.divertom.com they get dwarfs in once in a wile.

you need more l/r brock, a lb per gal. more or less, if i can find my usb cable i will post a pic of my tank

and great start with the macros

Your live rock doesn't really form any caves, as far as I can tell. You might consider a short length of PVC pipe or a small clay flowerpot turned on its side to make a small den.

Nancy

Lol, thanks alien4fish. I know that I need more LR. I have 4 reef tanks ;).

Nancy,

I'm going to go pick up some rounder, more porous pieces from my lfs, and maybe some tonga branch for him to play in, even though I decided on a bimac (if possible) and am using my 47 gallon now.

Brock, if you are interested in obtaining an O.mercatoris please PM me.

PM sent!

Well, looks like I may be getting a mercatoris after all. I think he would be very happy in a 47 gallon! How big of a tank would you need to keep 2 O. mercatoris?

i just got a new 20 gallon long tank and ordered a dwarf octo i have 20lb of live rock and LOTS of places to hide and a PCP pipe for the octo to exporle in. right now i have aqueclear filter but it is carppy and going to up grade to a better one but for now that is what i have the octo is not in it yet but going to pick him up this thurday and it is monday. i am going to get a chiller for my size tank. please this is my frist octo and i really want it to live i will set up pics later. thx:smile:

Well, looks like I may be getting a mercatoris after all. I think he would be very happy in a 47 gallon! How big of a tank would you need to keep 2 O. mercatoris?



Two tanks. :smile:

To be honest, it really depends on the particular octopus(s)...some get along, some don't. I find it easier not to risk it, and keep them one to a tank...unless you are going to breed them ?

i just got a new 20 gallon long tank and ordered a dwarf octo i have 20lb of live rock and LOTS of places to hide and a PCP pipe for the octo to exporle in. right now i have aqueclear filter but it is carppy and going to up grade to a better one but for now that is what i have the octo is not in it yet but going to pick him up this thurday and it is monday. i am going to get a chiller for my size tank. please this is my frist octo and i really want it to live i will set up pics later. thx:smile:

How long has your tank been set up? You will need a protein skimmer to keep up with the amount of waste that octopus is going to produce.

about 2weeks

and can i put a clowfish in there for the remander of the time?

Ok,

Is there any way you can delay getting your octopus? Your tank should really cycle for three months so that you can build up a healthy colony of bacteria to handle the waste that your octopus will generate. Do you have another tank already set up that you could house the octopus in temporarily while your tank cycles?

i cant delay the shipment but i have purple up will that help? and yea but it is a 45gallon reef i have 1 eel,2 clownfish,1damsis and ALOTS of coarls,.............even tho i think it would be hard 4 me to get him after in the reef tank so. anywayz i have alot of really alive rock and live black and white sand really nice dp u think i do be able to put him in the tank anyway?

i cant delay the shipment but i have purple up will that help? and yea but it is a 45gallon reef i have 1 eel,2 clownfish,1damsis and ALOTS of coarls,.............even tho i think it would be hard 4 me to get him after in the reef tank so. anywayz i have alot of really alive rock and live black and white sand really nice dp u think i do be able to put him in the tank anyway?

What is purple up? It is not recommended that you put a delicate animal like an octopus into a tank before it is cycled. Have you tested for nitrates, nitrites and ammonia? You are going to have to watch water parameters carefully. You may have to do frequent water changes.

right now i am in skool but when i get home i will test the water but puprle up is a colony booster mainly use for reef tank but i think it will work

Purple Up is a coralline algae booster, it is not going to help with the growth of bacteria, which is what you need to control the waste in your system. Cycling the tank for three months lets the bacteria that you need grow and multiply. You will need to do frequent water changes and if you haven't yet, get a protein skimmer. You are going to need it.

kk, but yea i have been doin alot of water changes and i am going 2 add the octo 2 morrow maybe it will work