What size tank do octopus need

bignick · 10/31/2007, 06:18 AM

Hi,

I am getting ready to start a 42 hex and was going to put mostly shrimp and coral in this tank. Wouldi be able to do an octopus as well? Will the octopus eat cleaner shrimp? Will it hurt my corals? (LPS and softies) I know that they are great escape artists so i would fabricate a hood of some sort to house/keep it contained. Would a 150/250w MH stress the octopus? Also if i can keep one can you suggest one that would be well suited for this tank if it is even an option.

Thanks

Pea-brain · 10/31/2007, 07:10 AM

a 42 gallon is big enough, but the light needed for corals would bother the nocturnal octopus, it would eat your shrimp and any fish, and they are very secretive and usually only come out at night. The minimum size you could keep one in is a 10 gallon but I wouldn't suggest that to anyone but an expert ceph keeper. For anyone new most people suggest a 30 gallon.

Dan

bignick · 10/31/2007, 07:57 AM

Well if i were to have a cave for it would that help or is that light just too bright all together?

Thanks Dan for the Help

phishguyatstore · 10/31/2007, 01:50 PM

power compacts would be fine for a dinural octopus. but i wouldnt do anything more than that.

StevenBell2 · 11/01/2007, 01:43 AM

I would say the light is just to bright all together all though a cave will be its home.Stay away from the blue ringed!It has a very powerful toxen that will kill if it bites.

bignick · 11/01/2007, 05:40 AM

I'm well aware of the blue ring octopus and plan on not keeping one.

I really like the look of metal halides so i don't know now if i am going to keep one or not now. I basically just wanted to see if this tank is an appropriate size to house one in or not.

Animal Mother · 11/01/2007, 07:44 PM

Recommended size is 50 for most commonly kept octo's, but if you know how to keep your tank stable a 42 shouldn't be any issue, unless it turns out to be a Vulgaris, they need a 120 or larger.

Keeping them with corals can be a problem because on the reefs they have room to avoid stingy corals but in a confined aquarium, they have limited space and very sensitive skin... could be bad.

Besides all that you need to seal the lid real good, and I mean REAL good, which could be a pain in the butt and interfere with any lighting strong enough for corals besides maybe softies that don't require that much light.

They are very rewarding creatures to keep.

bignick · 11/02/2007, 08:41 AM

I decided against it for sure for now. The fact that they only live a year alone is a big bummer but mainly the point about the light and the stinging of the corals was what really made up my mind.

10/31/2007, 06:18 AM	#1
bignick Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 1,426	What size tank do octopus need Hi, I am getting ready to start a 42 hex and was going to put mostly shrimp and coral in this tank. Wouldi be able to do an octopus as well? Will the octopus eat cleaner shrimp? Will it hurt my corals? (LPS and softies) I know that they are great escape artists so i would fabricate a hood of some sort to house/keep it contained. Would a 150/250w MH stress the octopus? Also if i can keep one can you suggest one that would be well suited for this tank if it is even an option. Thanks __________________ 210 SPS & 42 Hex LPS mixed reef Just because they say you can't do it doesn't mean you can't prove them wrong. Current Tank Info: 210 SPS & 42 Hex LPS/Soft Coral reef

10/31/2007, 07:57 AM	#3
bignick Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 1,426	Well if i were to have a cave for it would that help or is that light just too bright all together? Thanks Dan for the Help __________________ 210 SPS & 42 Hex LPS mixed reef Just because they say you can't do it doesn't mean you can't prove them wrong. Current Tank Info: 210 SPS & 42 Hex LPS/Soft Coral reef

11/01/2007, 01:43 AM	#5
StevenBell2 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Columbus,GA Posts: 20	I would say the light is just to bright all together all though a cave will be its home.Stay away from the blue ringed!It has a very powerful toxen that will kill if it bites. __________________ From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli We will fight our countries battles on the land on air and sea first to fight for right and freedom and to keep our honor clean We are proud to claim the title of United States Marines! Current Tank Info: Small but nice?

11/01/2007, 05:40 AM	#6
bignick Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 1,426	I'm well aware of the blue ring octopus and plan on not keeping one. I really like the look of metal halides so i don't know now if i am going to keep one or not now. I basically just wanted to see if this tank is an appropriate size to house one in or not. __________________ 210 SPS & 42 Hex LPS mixed reef Just because they say you can't do it doesn't mean you can't prove them wrong. Current Tank Info: 210 SPS & 42 Hex LPS/Soft Coral reef

11/01/2007, 07:44 PM	#7
Animal Mother Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 452	Recommended size is 50 for most commonly kept octo's, but if you know how to keep your tank stable a 42 shouldn't be any issue, unless it turns out to be a Vulgaris, they need a 120 or larger. Keeping them with corals can be a problem because on the reefs they have room to avoid stingy corals but in a confined aquarium, they have limited space and very sensitive skin... could be bad. Besides all that you need to seal the lid real good, and I mean REAL good, which could be a pain in the butt and interfere with any lighting strong enough for corals besides maybe softies that don't require that much light. They are very rewarding creatures to keep. __________________ "You might not believe it but under fire Animal Mother is one of the finest human beings in the world. All he needs is someone to throw hand grenades at him for the rest of his life." - Full Metal Jacket Current Tank Info: 60 gallon cube, w/ 30 gallon sump, octopus-proof lid. Dry for now.

10/31/2007, 07:10 AM	#2
Pea-brain Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Vassalboro, ME Posts: 1,661	a 42 gallon is big enough, but the light needed for corals would bother the nocturnal octopus, it would eat your shrimp and any fish, and they are very secretive and usually only come out at night. The minimum size you could keep one in is a 10 gallon but I wouldn't suggest that to anyone but an expert ceph keeper. For anyone new most people suggest a 30 gallon. Dan

10/31/2007, 01:50 PM	#4
phishguyatstore Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 378	power compacts would be fine for a dinural octopus. but i wouldnt do anything more than that.

11/02/2007, 08:41 AM	#8
bignick Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 1,426	I decided against it for sure for now. The fact that they only live a year alone is a big bummer but mainly the point about the light and the stinging of the corals was what really made up my mind. __________________ 210 SPS & 42 Hex LPS mixed reef Just because they say you can't do it doesn't mean you can't prove them wrong. Current Tank Info: 210 SPS & 42 Hex LPS/Soft Coral reef