Octo- not fish

[spkdtch]

Eventhough an octopus isnt a fish, i think it falls into the aggressive category because it will eat almost anything in the same tank as it.
I thought it would be interesting to try and have an octopus in my new 125 gallon tank. Its on the stand, filled with sand, LR, and saltwater with the heaters in and the filters running. Just began cycling 3 days ago so i dont plan on buying one soon, but i want to hear about others experiences and bits of information you have read.
i understand they usually live short lives and need to be fed often, but not overfed and they love to escape so i will secure the lid
but what else should i know about? do i need to screen off the filter intake or put a sponge on it so a leg doesnt get stuck? or would it be strong enough to be fine and not get injured?
i know they don't require any special lighting and are usually nocturnal, so i planned on having cheap actinic t-12 bulbs for lighting so its just blue, not white
although most everything i read says they should be kept alone, are any other creatures possible? even if its just a 125 oct tank with tons of live rock and caves for it to hide in, id be happy
plus i hear you can teach them things, like how to open jars and such to get food

 

[melypr1985]

I know that at the LFS they put them in hamster balls but they will still open them and escape. I also know that they can squeez themselves through very tiny places. You have to make sure you have a VERY SECURE tank. It would be really gross to find your octopus on the floor in the morning.

 

[spkdtch]

ya it would, i plan on putting a sheet of plexiglass in the grooves of the braces on top and then built a canopy with a lip on the inside that extends over the brace lip and onto the plexiglass, holding it down

 

[crypt keeper]

drill holes in the plexiglass so gases can escape and heat as well.
look on youtube join up and ask question. I have seen a very set ups. They groegous. i dont know if you can house two but a 125 for one octopus is a ton of room

 

[spkdtch]

they are cannibals, so one would most likely eat the other
and i dont plan on a pygmy octopus

 

[spkdtch]

and good idea with the holes

 

[olemiss]

Originally Posted by spkdtch
http:///forum/post/3119206
they are cannibals, so one would most likely eat the other
and i dont plan on a pygmy octopus
I have a pygmy. NEVER see it. Occasionally see it at nite with a red light. Getting a bimac or hummelincki next.

 

[spkdtch]

with the larger tank, i think it would be fun to have a larger species, not giant, just not a pygmy

 

[spkdtch]

so any other advice? do they prefer a certain substrate? what about the filters? any ways to stimulate their brains? like putting food in a jar or upsidedown mug

 

[runn3rb3an]

I've kept a brearious before (sp?) there great creatures but if your new to the hobby then I would recommend starting with something else. Fine substrate is needed, NO OTHER TANKMATES! Keep lighting to a minimum also. People say powerheads are okay in the tank but I wouldn't do it, mine stuck it's arms into impossibly tight spaces. If you have a hole bigger than like a pencil eraser tip then it's getting out. You really need to see it to believe it. Keep the heaters in a sump and get the biggest protein skimmer you can for filtration. That's all I can remember u asking for now but I hope it helps

 

[spkdtch]

what if i don't have a sump?

 

[runn3rb3an]

I would really, really look into making one. There pretty easy to build and are invaluable IMO. They add gallons to your system, keep the octo out of your filter and skimmer and heater and make water changes easier because you don't need to worry about watching the octo while you do it. They are also extremly strong and can easily rip off parts of your skimmer and filter and get caught in it. do you have glass tops?

 

[melypr1985]

I agree with the sump being a valuable piece of equipment. It hides all the ugly stuff you have to have and it really is very easy to make. I made mine in one day and never even heard of a sump before then. Look around the threads, alot of people have drawn up skimatics of different sumps and refugiums that you can copy off of. that's what i did.

 

[spkdtch]

oh i know what they are and that they are useful, but didnt know if i NEEDED one, or one would just come on handy
my issue is the tank isnt drilled and its already cycling, so id need to run 2 different pumps, and intake and an outtake
but if i put my filters in the sum, then its only filtering like 55gallons at a time instead of 125, eventhough new water is being pumped to the sump constantly, still seems like it would be more efficient in the DT

 

[roadie996]

just adding a pic - was at my LFS and they just got a shipment in. Inside was this little guy! Sorry for the blurriness, its a cell phone shot...

 

[melypr1985]

Originally Posted by spkdtch
http:///forum/post/3120960
oh i know what they are and that they are useful, but didnt know if i NEEDED one, or one would just come on handy
my issue is the tank isnt drilled and its already cycling, so id need to run 2 different pumps, and intake and an outtake
but if i put my filters in the sum, then its only filtering like 55gallons at a time instead of 125, eventhough new water is being pumped to the sump constantly, still seems like it would be more efficient in the DT
not trying to press the issue but....
my tank isn't drilled and I only use one pump for my sump. You get an overflow box and use gravity to feed your sump. use the pump to get it back in the tank. Depending on how fast you get your overflow of feed water to your sump you could filter alot more water than you think. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[spkdtch]

wouldnt the octo end up in the overflow box?
any good drawings or designs/plans for a diy sump and overflow box setup?
i was thinkin of going with a 55gal sump, either a used tank or ill build one

 

[melypr1985]

Not if you plan it right. you can put a mesh behind the teeth of the overflow to keep the octo out of it. it really depends on what you can come up with. but the overflow is really alot simpler than alot of people make it look. i'm no good at drawing these things up but i'm sure there will be plenty of people offering up their designs for you.

 

[texasmetal]

This is the standpipe for my overflow (drilled tank). The J-pipe is fitted with an extension that is drilled with 1/8 inch holes. It acts as a rigid strainer. Don't glue it in, so you can pull it out and clean it occasionally. It is hidden behind an overflow.

This is the lid. It's one solid sheet of 1/4 inch acrylic, edged with velcro, matches up to the inside rim of the aquarium. Very tight fit and tough to pry off.

Reef-ready is the way to go for octopus tanks.
Can't wait to get it set up and running... sooon. Very sooon.

 

[altrocker]

I was looking into building an Octo tank in the future as well. I hear they really hate astro-turf. So i was thinking of lining the top rim of the tank with the stuff to help deter it, as well as a tight fitting lid. Just a thought you might want to try.