octopus questions

[Bugboy9000]

i currently have a 55 gal tank that has not been set up yet. i plan on setting it up soon. ive been all over the place trying to decide what the **** to put in the freakin thing. ive considered from a lion to an eel and now im considering an octopus. so now getting to the point, i have a few questions. what are the best types of octopus to have in an aquarium, how difficult are they to maintain, and are they compatible with any types of fish(specifically the lion, i know an eel wont work)? i would also appreciate the care required for any suggested octopus.

thanks

 

[blackangler]

go to www.tonmo.com and seach beginer, but a bimac octopus would be your best bet.

 

[Bugboy9000]

also is it true that i would have to wait a few months and let some other fish cycle out the tank so that the water quality is better or would a protein skimmer make the waiting time better?

 

[Absint Reefer]

yes it's better to wait and a protein skimmer would not make a difference

 

[Bugboy9000]

i also have an xp2 canister filter is that a good enough filter for the octopus?

 

[Paradox009]

You would be pushing it with just a canister. I would suggest having a good protein skimmer.. This is up to how much maintenance you will want to do. Ive kept an octo with just a canister filter, but I did a lot of vacuuming, cleaning the canister, and water changes. In the long run, wiuth just a canister, you will get a lot of nitrates. An octopus is also a nitrate factory. You may run into algae problems eventually. Later, I invested more with a great skimmer and added a sump and refugium, amd maintenance is a breeze...

 

[Bugboy9000]

aha so i SHOULD put in a protein skimmer, and what exactly is a refugium?