setup questions

[Jocephus]

Hey guys, I am interested in a Bimac and have a few questions. I've been on tonmo, but it seems like specifics are tough to find. Any input would be appreciated.

I have a 55 gallon tank, here are my questions:

1. How much live rock? Is there a lb/gallon rule of thumb?

2. What type of filtration do you use? Mechanical? Cannister? 'Fuge?

3. Do you recommend a sump? If so, how do you make it escape proof?

4. Any tips on escape proofing the lid?


Thanks a bunch, I intend to set the tank up now and look for a specimen around April.

Joe

 

[L8 2 RISE]

You usually want at least 1 if not 1.25 pounds per gallon. You NEED a skimmer in an octopus tank, though I also would use a fuge. Stay away from mechanical and cannister filtration for the most part as they will most likely turn into nitrate traps. I would recommend a sump because it makes octoproofing your tank 10 times easier without all the GOB stuff. I'd also recommend a diffferent size tank, maybe a 65 (which has a really nice foot print) or a 75. 55's are notorious as THE WORST footprint for any tank out there. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.

Use this for all your ceph care needs: http://www.tonmo.com/forums/content.php?119-Ceph-Care-Articles

 

[Jocephus]

So the rock is about the same as a reef tank, I assume that it needs to be cemented together a little better. How do you escape-proof the overflow? Can you post a picture of yours? Why do you say the 55 is the worst footprint? I can understand for aquascaping purposes when displaying corals, but this will essentially be piles of rock made into caves. Why would a 65 be better?

 

[L8 2 RISE]

Personally, for the smaller tanks, 65 is my favorite foot print just because it allows you to set up a tank that looks good. Trust me, if you go with a 55, you will understand why it's a bad footprint. It's simply too thin to get any nice rocks or do any good aquascaping in there. Hell, I doubt you'd be able to make many, if any, good caves or anything. You just can't fit the stuff in there that you'd typically want in that size tank. As for escape proofing the overflow, It depends what type of overflow you have or plan on having. I've never had, nor plan on having an octo in the near future so I can't give you a pic. Hopefully I'll be getting my cuttlefish soon (been looking for 6-7 months). If you just have an elbow for the overflow, it should be a simple matter of putting some netting over the opening. If you have an overflow box, I imagine it would be MUCH harder because you will need to cover the opening all the way up to the lid of the tank, and whatever you use has to be on the part of the box that's inside the tank. You can't cover OVER the overflow box because then your octofriend will climb into the overflow, but not be able to reach the water in the bottom, and not climb out, so just become a fried up lump.

 

[Jocephus]

Does anyone here have a picture of your setup? I would like to see the filters and top, basically what you are running and how you have octo-proofed it.

Thanks!

 

[L8 2 RISE]

Head over to tonmo and look at the journals and gallery. There's plenty of pics there. Most people don't have filters, just an overflow and return that are usually and preferably drilled, so you can just put a lid on the tank and then duct tape it or put something heavy on it.