Getting into a Bimac...check me please

[Nethos]

Hi all...
Been a while since I have been crawling around here, but I figger this is a good time to get back into it.

I still have my 90 gal with wet dry and my nitrates are still toxic. If I was to open my wrist and bleed into the test kit it would not be as red as my nitrate results. Guess that is why only the eel and the grouper still like it in there.
Nonetheless, a rework of that tank is in progress to get those down. Adding RO water, DSB and LR...going to be a long and expensive process.
However...
I want to start another tank with an octopus. From listening to you all a bimac is the way to go. Can bimacs safely co-habitate with anything without eating it?

This is what I am planning...please check me...

A 35 gallon acrylic rectangular (tenecor unless anyone has a better idea...I love acrylic)
Standard flourescent lighting
4" live sand bed
20 to 30 lbs of live rock (anyone using this new Kaelini stuff?)
Skimmer for oxygenation

No Cephs allowed until all water specs are bang-on.

Does that sound bimac-friendly? Or did I miss something?

Thanks!

Dave

 

[OctoMonkey]

yep temperature.

O. bimaculoides isn't a tropical species so make sure the water temperature doesnt go much above 72 - 74 for extended periods of time.

You may get them to live with things like duster worms or starfish but all fish, crustaceans and mollusks are octo-food.

Also aviod cycling the tank with damsels. Unless you take them out before put the octopus in. Only mentioned that just in case

Colin

 

[goodman770]

Nethos,
Sounds like a cool tank. One quick observation about the live rock and the lighting. When you go to get the live rock it is awfully tempting to get stuff with all kinds of growth and cool things growing on it. However, with your limited lighting due to temp considerations I would advise resisting this and getting cured live rock that does not have tons of growth. What will happen is a lot of that growth will die thus hurting your water quality and cycle timing. A 50/50 may help in this area. Food for thought.
Best of luck...
Bill

 

[Nethos]

thanks!

thanks!

Excellent! Thanks for the advice! Looking forward to this!