Hello all,
Please excuse the long post; I’m just getting started.
As I’m sure many of you can relate, I have a personal obsession with the Octopus. To illustrate, you can see some of my Octo-themed artwork here: http://www.octomanart.com/Octomans_Web_site/Welcome.html
or my fb page: Paul Van de Carr
After years of dreaming about keeping an Octopus, I have at last made the first step and purchased a tank, and am now planning how to move forward. Being new to the hobby, I thought I would put some questions before the group while continuing my research. I would like to gain as much knowledge as possible before I even fill the tank and purchase my LR. At the present, I have an empty tank, stand, and a cover with daylight bulbs that will work well for escape proofing- that’s it.
I live near Monterey Bay in California, and a recent trip to the wharf got me thinking. Fishermen on the pier are bringing up Pacific Brown Octopuses in droves. Some are catching up to 30 a day, poor little guys. I would love to be able to rescue one to bring home, and as they are short-lived, I could continue to do so as needed.
My main question is this: Should I make an initial attempt at a regular (tropical) reef tank to build up some experience, or should I dive right in and go for a temperate tank? There is substantially less information on this topic, but I’d love to have a little slice of the bay in our tank. I’ve been looking into chillers, and the cost is scary, but I could save for a while and make it happen eventually. I’d only need to cool the water by a few degrees. Either way, I plan on starting with some easier fish and some other inverts before I make an attempt at a octopus.
The tank is a 60 gallon glass (not reef ready) and I will be working HOB style, as I simply do not have the room for a sump. I think with a little handy-work it won’t be too difficult to escape-proof.
I would appreciate some thoughts on some equipment. Here is what I have been considering:
SpectraPure Maxpure 60 gpd RO/DI system. I’m sure this will pay for itself over time.
AquaC Remora Pro Hang-on Protein skimmer. Seems a little pricy, but it has great reviews and I like the slim profile.
If I go with a temperate tank, I’m looking at an AquaEuro USA Max, mainly because it’s cheaper than the others. If any of you can make some recommendations here, I'd be willing to save a little more for something better. Drop-in chiller, maybe?
Any thoughts on the necessity of UV sterilizers, lighting or other optional equipment?
Looking forward to any thoughts and advise, and would love to continue the discussion. Thanks in advance!
Paul
Please excuse the long post; I’m just getting started.
As I’m sure many of you can relate, I have a personal obsession with the Octopus. To illustrate, you can see some of my Octo-themed artwork here: http://www.octomanart.com/Octomans_Web_site/Welcome.html
or my fb page: Paul Van de Carr
After years of dreaming about keeping an Octopus, I have at last made the first step and purchased a tank, and am now planning how to move forward. Being new to the hobby, I thought I would put some questions before the group while continuing my research. I would like to gain as much knowledge as possible before I even fill the tank and purchase my LR. At the present, I have an empty tank, stand, and a cover with daylight bulbs that will work well for escape proofing- that’s it.
I live near Monterey Bay in California, and a recent trip to the wharf got me thinking. Fishermen on the pier are bringing up Pacific Brown Octopuses in droves. Some are catching up to 30 a day, poor little guys. I would love to be able to rescue one to bring home, and as they are short-lived, I could continue to do so as needed.
My main question is this: Should I make an initial attempt at a regular (tropical) reef tank to build up some experience, or should I dive right in and go for a temperate tank? There is substantially less information on this topic, but I’d love to have a little slice of the bay in our tank. I’ve been looking into chillers, and the cost is scary, but I could save for a while and make it happen eventually. I’d only need to cool the water by a few degrees. Either way, I plan on starting with some easier fish and some other inverts before I make an attempt at a octopus.
The tank is a 60 gallon glass (not reef ready) and I will be working HOB style, as I simply do not have the room for a sump. I think with a little handy-work it won’t be too difficult to escape-proof.
I would appreciate some thoughts on some equipment. Here is what I have been considering:
SpectraPure Maxpure 60 gpd RO/DI system. I’m sure this will pay for itself over time.
AquaC Remora Pro Hang-on Protein skimmer. Seems a little pricy, but it has great reviews and I like the slim profile.
If I go with a temperate tank, I’m looking at an AquaEuro USA Max, mainly because it’s cheaper than the others. If any of you can make some recommendations here, I'd be willing to save a little more for something better. Drop-in chiller, maybe?
Any thoughts on the necessity of UV sterilizers, lighting or other optional equipment?
Looking forward to any thoughts and advise, and would love to continue the discussion. Thanks in advance!
Paul