Do Bimacs need...

[Rockthis11]

What kind of aquarium subsrate do bimacs need? Does it need to be fine sand about 1 inch? And do they need a heater or a chiller?

 

[Nancy]

Hi Rockthis,

The Equipment List suggests fine sand to the depth of 1 inch - that's a good recommendation for a bimac.

It's best to bring the temperature down to at least the lower seventies. You usually don't need a heater with a bimac, but may have to cool down the tank in the summer, with a fan or chiller or other method.

Some of this will depend on where you live, how much you air condition your home, and so forth.

Nancy

 

[Cortum]

Another question

HI!! First time poster, long time lurker, short time member.

I was wondering (for a bimac).. live sand or not? Does it depend on whether or not there is live rock? My guess is live sand wouldn't do enough and you would need live rock anyways - or is this overdoing it?

I'm basically trying to figure out filtration, I guess...

thanks!

 

[Nancy]

Hi Cortum,

Welcome to TONMO.com.

Most people are using live rock, both for filtration and to provide lots of hiding places for their octopuses. A third thing in its favor is that live rock looks so good.

If you have live rock, is isn't necessary to buy live sand (although I did that for my smaller aquarium because I got better looking sand that way).

Nancy

 

[joel_ang]

Hi and to TONMO.com Cortum!

It really isnt necessary to get live sand as a sufficient amount of live rock will do the job. However, you can use it to decorate your tank like nancy.

 

[Cortum]

thanks!

thanks for the input!

 

[corw314]

Rockthis11-

Love your choice of Avatar!!!

Carol

 

[Rockthis11]

thanks alot

 

[Colin]

I dont think that a live sand bed would keep up with the waste from an octopus unless it was a huge tank to begin with... and a bimac doesnt seem to dig so much so I just have a very fine scattering of sand and that's the easiest to keep clean and makes sure no waste gets missed

 

[Nancy]

A couple more observations about sand and my bimac:

Ollie often looks for fiddler crabs buried in the sand, so there is a remendous blowing of sand and shifting its position. Because of this, there is sand on all my live rock, and I just get it cleaned off when he Ollie goes at it again.

And, something I didn't expect - there are a couple of places in the tank where Ollie likes to stay, and there he's gotten rid of most or all of the sand on the bottom. He's a very tidy housekeeper, too

Nancy

 

[Cortum]

wow!

You guys are great at responding! Now I'm working on designing a sump.

If I had a 30-40 gallon tank with a 10 (or 20)g sump, would an AquaC Urchin be enough as an in-sump protein skimmer???

 

[Cortum]

Oh yeah....

With a Maxi-jet 1200 pump.

And one more question. I'll need another pump to get the water back up the aquarium, right? What would be a good recommendation?

thanks again!

 

[Nancy]

If you follow the links in Colin's Equipment List, you'll find lists of the various types of pumps and other equipment you're looking for, complete with descriptions and recommendations.

It's not a bad idea to visit your LFS with your specific list - they usually have a good idea about which pump fits which size tank, etc.

A note about tank size: A bimac will be happier in a 40 or 50 gallon tank - they grow pretty large and are very active.

Nancy

 

[Cortum]

Ok, you convinced to me go 40-50 gallons... sheesh!

I saw some great ones at good prices at a few stores - and after I move to my new place (sept. 1st) I will start figuring out exactly what I want. I have an idea already, but I need to see space requirements, etc.

 

[Colin]

if you're going to do that........ you might as well get a 200gal set up! its not that much bigger and think of the scope for aquascaping!!!!! hehehe