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Post by bikeguy33 on Sept 1, 2010 15:46:14 GMT -5
Good afternoon all. just wanted to let ya know about how my marine tank is coming along and what i have in it. As of now i am not worried about adding corrals and anenomes but will in the near future. first off i have been stocking with compatible species for an octopuss which should arrive sometime in september. the list is as follows...
3 blue chromis 1 valentine puffer 2 black and white marine catfish (i know very little about these 2) 1 large turbo snail and finally, just added today a blue starfish. as well there are 10 or so glass anenomes which i don`t want and will get rid of soon.
the tank is a oceonic biocube 29 gallons with 35 pounds of live rock. when time allows i will take some pics...especially with the addition of the octopuss...
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Post by Carl on Sept 1, 2010 16:50:56 GMT -5
Thanks for the update Bill. BTW, it was the idea of keeping an Octopus that first got me into marine tanks in 1977; up to then I only kept FW Carl
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Post by babygeige on Sept 12, 2010 14:16:29 GMT -5
Wow, I didn't know octopi came in varieties that were small enough for a 29 gallon. I always think of giant things that need huge tanks, lol.
The blue starfish sounds cool!
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Post by bikeguy33 on Oct 18, 2010 16:17:03 GMT -5
good afternoon all. i didnt want to take over the lounge since carl`s ordeal outdoes this one. first off i need to apologise for not being here over the past couple months. this new bus driving job is keeping me very busy and if it keeps going how it is i will surpass 90 000 this year. lots of money but lots of work.it is looking like november is going to slow down alot and i should be home a lil more often and in turn a lil more time on here. work is wanting to send me to banff and lake louise this winter to do ski charters....but not sure. will keep you all posted.
as for my nano reef...we have added another blue star and awaiting the octopuss still. so far it has come in 3 times and all 3 times were blue ring octopuss. FAR FAR too poisonous with a 5 year old around. but my fingers are crossed that the next one will be the one i ordered. also thinking switching this tank over to a cold pacific local tank. met a refrideration guy who is willing to help me build a chiller. if i do this, i`ll be setting up my 90 as a tropical tank for the octopuss....i`ll keep you all posted.
ALSO....Carl....how close are you to Portland. I will have 2 days off there later this week and would love to meet ya in person...
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Post by Carl on Oct 18, 2010 17:54:45 GMT -5
ALSO....Carl....how close are you to Portland. I will have 2 days off there later this week and would love to meet ya in person... Nice to see ya here again. I am about 3.5 hours south of Portand (each way) BTW, although I have kept and love Blue Ring Octopus without remotely a problem, I 100% agree with a child around. Carl
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Post by babygeige on Oct 19, 2010 21:07:04 GMT -5
Good to hear from you Bill! Sounds like things are going well!
Just curious, what happens to the octopi that come in and are not the one you ordered? Does the lfs ship them back?
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Post by bikeguy33 on Oct 19, 2010 23:29:19 GMT -5
I really hope they get sent back. they are illegal to import into canada...but that doesnt stop poachers from getting them here by questionable methods. unfortunately tho...my sons safety takes priority over concern for the retailer and the octopi. my LFS feels terrible about all the mix ups too.
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Post by bikeguy33 on Oct 28, 2010 19:46:46 GMT -5
My octopus finally came in...now just trying to ID it. closest i have come is a o. rubescens or red octopus...altho he was rock colored when i saw him. aparently...he has changed colors 3 times since last night. cant wait till hes home...in the pic, he is up against the side in a critter cage beside the other rock. this pic was taken with my phone so the quality isnt great. s160.photobucket.com/albums/t194/bikeguy33/new%20octopus/?action=postupload
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Post by Carl on Oct 29, 2010 9:10:42 GMT -5
I am glad to read you finally got your octopus! I wish I could help you ID this guy, but I really cannot tell from the pic, sorry. I would go with what you know and experience Carl
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Post by bikeguy33 on Oct 29, 2010 12:55:24 GMT -5
what the problem is....if i am wrong on the species, the other that looks very similar is a giant pacific which is the biggest octo...the biggest difference i have found is 3 little eyelashes. if this is the case i guess he`ll be gone pretty quickly....lol. but i am fairly sure it isnt as this octo is in water that is 78 degrees right now...and the giant pacific is a cold water species...
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Post by bikeguy33 on Oct 29, 2010 15:44:26 GMT -5
also....any suggestions how to octo-proof a oceanic biocube??? this is turning into a bigger challenge than expected...
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Post by Carl on Oct 29, 2010 15:44:49 GMT -5
Usually reputable marine fish/invert distributors will not even sell the Giant Pacific Octopus for this very reason,as the sale in the pet trade is essentially a death sentence.
Do you know who your retailer purchases from?
I can tell you with 99.99% certainty that if they buy from Quality Marine Imports USA that this would not be a Giant Pacific Octopus.
Carl
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Post by bikeguy33 on Oct 29, 2010 15:46:37 GMT -5
this fellow was brought in from a california supplier. unfortunately his species wasnt listed.
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Post by Carl on Oct 29, 2010 15:54:15 GMT -5
this fellow was brought in from a california supplier. unfortunately his species wasnt listed. Most suppliers are in California (including Quality Marine), and most by LAX where I go once per month, unfortunately not all are honest in how they conduct their business IMHO. An example is Underwater World Enterprises; I would never recommend these guys Carl
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Post by bikeguy33 on Oct 29, 2010 15:57:41 GMT -5
i`ll try to find out what the company name is...
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Post by babygeige on Oct 30, 2010 11:45:12 GMT -5
That's cool! I hope it's the right one! When will you take him home?
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Post by bikeguy33 on Oct 30, 2010 11:59:44 GMT -5
he came from quality marine. i went and saw him yesterday. he ate a chromis and was very excited. i saw him change colors twice while i was there. they are like mood rings. their colors will change depending on their moods.
He is coming home sometime today. the next 6 months should be fun. we are taking some of his tank mates out today and gonna give to my salt water store guy. 1 is the valentine puffer. he is quite slow and wont deal well with an ambush hunter and the others are the 2 marine catfish. they will compete too hard for food. we will replace him after the big fella passes on in 4-6 months.
the snails and the starfish are staying.
also, his toys are almost all ready for him. we have a couple plastic balls and action figures (man talk for dolls...lol). now we are just getting small jars etc for him to open for his food. can`t wait...
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Post by Carl on Oct 30, 2010 12:11:17 GMT -5
Good to read he came form a reputable source.
It seems that you have got a good pet here IMO when you get him home ;D
Carl
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Post by bikeguy33 on Oct 30, 2010 22:02:43 GMT -5
well.....took near 3 hours....but did a long acclimating drip and the octopus is in the tank. the chromises are not long in this world....they are brushing their tails on his eyes...hopefully will be able to get some pics tomorrow...
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Post by bikeguy33 on Oct 31, 2010 12:58:35 GMT -5
going to buy some batteries for the cam today.....but after having this guy around for 15 hours or so....all i can say is for those of you who dont believe in aliens from other planets....you need to watch an octopus for awhile. their blood isnt even red, it is blue... after such a short time as my new roomie....he has shown curiosity, and already seems to recognise us. watching him change colors is amazing too. will try to add pics later today...
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