Small Bimac.

[wastememphis]

Could I keep an octopus temporarily in a ten gallon tank, until I had a bigger tank up and cycled. I figured as long as I start up a smaller tank with alot of live rock and do the water changes it MIGHT be fine to keep an octopus happy (the one i'm looking at is 2" yes... its very very tiny... I feel I'm going to loose it in a large tank right away, this way I can get to target feeding it too.) But what size tank is good for an octopus, its a bimaclous, but I dont know how accurate that could be. They only get that kind in, and order them form a dealer which only has those. Soooooo I was thinking another 29gallon tank, but I don't know about filtration or anything like that since its so small right now it could go up a fluval cansister filter intake. But what about a sponge filter. Is there anyway to use an overflow with an octopus, maybe??? And if I could do the 10gallon for a few weeks would it cycle fast enough that I could have the ocotpus on hold (around 5-7days) or should i just set up a tank now and wait till they get anohter one in, usually its once every 3months... this is the first one that was openly moving around in the water. I know quite a bit about them since the 29gallon tank I have now was initally suppose to be an octopus tank. I'll have an attinic light and a screen reptile top on the tank with the clamps... I dont know if i want crushed coral because they are not good with nitrates (ocotpus that is) but I know they like mid to corase substrate. But if I set up a 10gallon it would be an attnic light, substrate, heater, air pump, songe fitler... if i can't use a canister and 15-20lbs of live rock.. and a clear tube for it to hang out in. I have some frozen shrimp he can eat and I could just go to Tops or Wegmans for some more seafood, I just don't want to have a poor set up, or let this octopus get away like the others I have wanted and considered buying. I've had sucess keeping my reef tank stable and I know this will be work too... but I'm ready, its the reason I wanted to get a saltwater tank, thanks for responses. I know some of you have had octopi, I trust your advice. I have no problem buying a larger tank... but I know that I'd love just to move my corals into that hahaha but I just need to know weather or not its worth housing it in a small tank until I have a larger one ready (which shoudln't be more than a month or two).

 

[majestic sea life]

they need a 40gal or more but if u want a harry one get a 50 55gal skimmer and filter LR and it well be fine

 

[wastememphis]

doesn't help much with what type of filter to get since its small now.

 

[cephalopoder]

A 29 would be ok for a bimac and I have kept small ones in a 10 for short amounts of time while they were small. I would definitely wait at least 3 full months for a tank to cycle. Octopuses put ot a ton of waste. I like a set up drilled with bulk heads and a sump but I have kept plenty of bimacs on a hang on filter and skimmer set up.
Bimacs are the only species I would trust for this and its still no guarantee of one not getting curious and going out exploring.
With a drilled tank set up and sump you don't have to worry about escapes. Bimacs are cold water and don't need a heater, they like water temps 60-75f . Tropical species are different and it helps to know what your getting. Bimacs are easy to pick they have a fale eye spot on the webbing below each eye. Plenty of pics of them if you do a quick search of the back posts.
chris

 

[wastememphis]

thanks chris!!! 29gallon is a nice size... do you have a picture of your set up? like with the drilled tank so it doesn't get down into the sump, how big do bimacs get... also could i keep him in a 10gallon tank with a sponge filter or two until the 29gallon tank cycles?? i have an attnic fixture for a 29since i was going to get an octo back when i started. thanks for the advice.