njfish77 said:

Well i just bought a 20 high and i was thinking a bimac octo since ive read they last pretty long and they really have to much of an escape record. Heres the set-up.
20 high tank
20lbs of fiji pink sand
20-25 pounds of rock with plenty of hiding places,caves and pvc coneccted around the system for artifficial caves
5 gallon refugium
not to much flow
temp at 78
Overflow box with safety so he doesnt climb over
versa top so he doesnt sneak out.
Any suggestions on what else i will need? Also does anyone know an online dealer i can buy one from thats reliable?
Thanks
Quick Summary:
1. 20 is just a tad too small.
2. Your temp is too high. The colder the water, the longer the lifespan of the octopus.
3. You need a protein skimmer. Helps with the waste and if he inks.
4. I realize you have a fuge, but do you have any activated carbon? Helps with the waste from the animal and incase he inks.
Detailed:
I'm sure he'll be happy for a few months in a 20 if you get him as a baby. However, beyond 4 months of age (or when he starts to get big) I wouldn't keep him in the 20.
Due to space considerations I keep my bimac in a 30 gallon. However that's with a skimmer, activated carbon, small wet/dry setup (bio-wheel), live rock, live plants and algae, along with weekly water changes to control the nitrates, plus enrichment items (toys and live food every so often) so he doesn't get bored.
For people who have never kept octos and/or corals before, I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than a 50 gallon.