How to setup a 30g tank for a Cuttlefish

[Owais]

Hello guys, I want to setup a 30g-50g tank and this is my first time so im not exactly sure how to start off. I have read all the articles on this site but im still not sure exactly what to put in my tank.

Ok so its a 30g-50g tank, I know for sure im going to need a skimmer & a filter, but I dont get the whole filter thing. It says there are biological, chemical, and mechanical filters ?? Do I need just one filter? and what else am I going to need ? I know that I need live rock and sand which I can collect from the beach, but what else do I need to put in my tank? and what is a Sump exactly ? and am I going to need one ? can I buy one of my LFS ?

Sorry for all the questions but this is my first time setting up a saltwater aquarium and any help would be greatly apreciated.

Thanks, Owais

 

[L8 2 RISE]

I would suggest finding your local aquarium club, where do you live?

 

[Chef Reef]

NEVER use sand from the beach. there are soooooo many polutants in that crap. just buy dry sand from an LFS and seed it with one bad of live sand.

 

[esquid]

I don't know if there are many aquarium clubs in the UAE

If you don't have much or any saltwater aquarium experience you may want to get a reference book to explain the terms and workings. I suggest The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Bob Fenner. And, as you may have noticed there will be a cephalopod keeping book coming out in November:

http://www.amazon.com/Cephalopods-Octopuses-Cuttlefish-Home-Aquarium/dp/0793806585/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220234152&sr=8-1

 

[cthulhu77]

First thing to do would be to get a bigger tank. A 30g is going to be a tough one for a cuttlefish. They tend to bang into the glass walls, and basically rupture their bodies when the large cuttlebone splits the skin.

 

[Owais]

Thanks for the replys. How about a 75g tank ? is it big enough ? I would get a 125g tank if I knew I could keep them alive till they are big enough but im not sure if I can keep them alive so I dont want to start off with a huge tank.

 

[cuttlegirl]

Thanks for the replys. How about a 75g tank ? is it big enough ? I would get a 125g tank if I knew I could keep them alive till they are big enough but im not sure if I can keep them alive so I dont want to start off with a huge tank.

I think you need to figure out what kind of cuttlefish that you are finding. It is most likely Sepia officinalis or some other kind of large cuttlefish. I would recommend a 125 gallon tank (or larger). It is actually easier to maintain a larger tank than a small one.

 

[Basile]

Reading on tank set up, and not finding the answer i'm looking for. Is 29 G biocube , too small for an octopus, if not what species would be appropriate and does my canapy have to be closed. I like to open the canopy for a better air exchange , will the octopus escape onto the floor. or in the back section of the biocube. Thanks

 

[OB]

Basile and enjoy TONMO! You will actually find the answers readily in our forum. The easy answer is yes to both, although sometimes kept in a smaller tank, even dwarf species (mostly nocturnal) would IMO be a bit confined in 29 gallons (these animals need to roam a bit; if anyone begs to differ, please enlighten me: earlier discussion) and your octopus will leave its cube and die, if it's left open.

It is also a good idea to open a dedicated new thread to your questions, as to keep confusion on topic at a minimum

 

[Owais]

I got a 80g tank today I hope its big enough. Btw I dont have space for a 125g tank =/ but how many inches can they be to fit well into a 80g tank? like 6'' ?