starter questions?

[know-it-all]

I've been reading alot lately, and I feel about ready for the Bimac. Octo.
Few things first.
Should i have a DSB with an octo?
If I have a DBS, should I provide PVC tunnels for the Octo to crawl through, or will I never see it?
How many can you keep together in a 37 gal?
(I'm thinking a 55 is also possible, but then I need to tear down a FW set-up)
Do they only eat live food?
Is there any good octo books available?
How much LR should I have in there?
What is the best lighting set-up?
Thanks.

 

[sideways]

I don't know all the answers, but I'll help with what I can. Most people don't really recommend a DSB for the bimac. Some of the other species that burrow might like it though. PVC pipes are recommended along with a lot of rockwork for the octo. The more places he has to hide, the safer he will feel and the more you will see it. 37 gallons would just fine, no need to tear your freshwater down, but you'll have problems if you put more than one octo in it. I think you would need a really large tank to be able to house more than one safely. They prefer live food but you might be able to get it to take frozen foods such as prawns. I'm not sure about any really good octo books but check out tonmo.com for more info on these guys. Usually, the more rock the better but for $$$ reasons putting around 15 lbs + or so on each corner should do, and leave an open area in the tank so the octo can come out and hunt/showoff. The octo would be just as happy with no lighting, but for your enjoyment add a little lighting during the day and try a red light after dark since they can't see it. Good luck, John

 

[know-it-all]

Thanks, that helps.
I really didn't want to break down the FW.
I Think I'll go with the 37 and drill 2 holes in the back for a drain and return line.
I think the DSB would work as far as hidding PVC pipes.
Next I was thinking around a 45# box of LR for decor.

Any other "toys" to put into the tank?

 

[sideways]

yeah, 45 lbs of LR would be a good amount...plenty of hiding spaces. I'm glad you don't ming spending the money on LR, since it will definitely benifit the octopus. As far as toys, they'll take shells and use them to cover the hole to their "house". They'll rearange their tank if they can move the rocks.

 

[know-it-all]

Hi
A deep sand bed should be ok. I use a pvc elbow with end cap as their home. You can use 45lbs of rock in a 37 but you might not see your octo much. I would use about 20 lbs and arrange it so the hiding spots are limited to only a few. The pvc elbow works the best I think. Bimacs seem to love this set up. I have the entrence of the elbow facing the front of the tank and this way the octo is always in view.
Octos love live food, but will take frozen food as well. Just make sure its not pre cooked.
LIghting is best kept modetate. As far as books go your best bet is to read this forum, tonmo and the cephalopod page.

Thanks for the tips, I'll need to look into the LR a little more, right now I'm drilling the tank and getting the sump hooked up.

 

[cephalopoder]

Hi
A deep sand bed should be ok. I use a pvc elbow with end cap as their home. You can use 45lbs of rock in a 37 but you might not see your octo much. I would use about 20 lbs and arrange it so the hiding spots are limited to only a few. The pvc elbow works the best I think. Bimacs seem to love this set up. I have the entrence of the elbow facing the front of the tank and this way the octo is always in view.
Octos love live food, but will take frozen food as well. Just make sure its not pre cooked.
LIghting is best kept modetate. As far as books go your best bet is to read this forum, tonmo and the cephalopod page.