The Benthic Bay

[Reef Wizard]

The Benthic Bay
The time has come...

DIY 75 Gallon Bimac (Octopus bimaculoides) Tank


I am fully aware of the lifespan difficulties and challenges this involves.
I have done significant research and prep for over a year and reading on TONMO.​

Index
Chapter 1 - It all started a long time ago....
Chapter 2 - Shiver me timbers
Chapter 3 - Shod master Silicone
Chapter 4 - There's a hole in the middle of the bottom of the sea
Chapter 5 - Black as the depth
Chapter 6 - Plumb tired
Chapter 7 - Fortress of solitude
Chapter 8 - Octo-Proofing
Chapter 9 - Lights and Play Things
Chapter 10 - The Prize


Resident Octopus

Food


Equipment
Return Pump - Sicce Syncra SDC 6.0
Lighting - Hygger 42 watts
Skimmer - Nyos 120
Chiller - 1/10hp Artica Chiller
ATO - IceCap ATO
Rock - Seeded Dry rock from my mixed reef
Sand - CaribSea Special grade at 2" depth

 

[Reef Wizard]

It all started long ago....

​

When I was just a young boy I was fascinated with all types of animals and creatures snakes lizards wolves hawks eagles tigers bears. Anything that was on the planet. I heavily enjoy nature documentaries and watch them frequently.
Then I came across the octopus and I became so enamored with them. They are and will always be my favorite animal.

So from then on I watched many documentaries and read books on different Octopus between the GPO Blue Ring and now the bimac...

I thought I would never get to interact with one let alone keep one albeit a short time it is a time in my life I will always treasure.

So thus begins my Cephalopod Journey set back and enjoy!

 

[Reef Wizard]

Shiver Me Timbers
​

Good Evening,

Happy Mothers day to all the moms out there!

Just going to do another quick update on my journal.
FWIW I am not a carpenter nor have I ever built an aquarium stand. But I borrowed some tools cut some lumber up and built a stand for my 75 Gallon. I will be wrapping it and painting it black

Here is some pictures of the progress. I'm pretty happy the way it turned out!

 

[Reef Wizard]

Shod Master Silicone​

Another update in progress of this build.

I am absolutely horrible with Silicone and hindsight is 20/20. I wish I had got clear instead of black. I was thinking black would look better and turns out it does if you know how to apply it properly. I used this DIY Sump Kit on a 20 Gallon Long for my sump.

DIY Sump Kit

It fit perfectly and overall I'm happy with it as its a sump and will be hidden 95% of the time.

Also My new DJ name is Shod Master Silicone :face-savoring-food:

 

[Reef Wizard]

There's a hole in the middle of the bottom of the sea​

Happy Thursday!

Things are moving along with the build.

I drilled the tank and it was my first time ever doing that as well. You'd think in my 8 years keeping all kinds of aquatic animals such as fish turtles toads frogs etc Id have drilled a tank by now. Nope just never did or needed to.

Here is the pic of the tank drilled. Put in two holes for the overflow and two for the returns.

I have the ESHOPPS L Prodigy overflow on this build. Its nice I Just am wondering why I cant keep the weir grate in the overflow it keeps falling out? @ESHOPPS.INC Any ideas why that could be?

However next step is getting the stand painted the vinyl black background and the doors hung up.

 

[ESHOPPS.INC Verified Sponsor]

Hi! Congrats on your build!

About the weir on your Prodigy overflow. Our goal was simple yet elegant. So went without any protruding locking mechanism to make it sleek. Once there is water in your tank, the force of the water will keep it in place. We have not had any issues with it really.

Thank you again! :) And good luck!

 

[Reef Wizard]

Black as the depth​

Good Afternoon,

Between the rain house work and the other tanks its closer to getting wet.

I was able to slap some paint on and wrap the stand in some plywood (superply) and put the vinyl background on. Background link

I left the inside of the plywood not painted and let the light colored wood show and I think it will brighten things up down there. I need to touch up the doors a little from hanging them. I think I only put one coat of paint when they need two.

I also hung the doors with these wall art hangers Hangmans link

Everything is turning out pretty good for my first DIY build.

Plumbing it all is up next!

 

[Reef Wizard]

Plumb Tired!
​

Well color me tired....

My custom plumbing had zero leaks and was able to finish that in one afternoon but I had a leak out the back of the overflow box I have been trying for weeks to get this build and sump plumbed. I made a post about the overflow leaking. It turns out do not have ANYTHING between the gasket and the glass. Also make sure the ridges on the gasket are against the glass. Read about it here

We are looking on getting the aquascape and octoproofing done next!

DO NOT HAVE THE RIDGES AS SHOWN FLIP THEM TO BE AGAINST THE GLASS

 

[Reef Wizard]

Fortress of Solitude
​

Good Afternoon,

I have completed the rockscape for my Octopus!

I think it turned out great and I am in the process of filling the tank up with saltwater. I have the chiller running on a cool 64 degrees in hopes to lengthen its lifespan as much as possible.

Being this is a species only tank I hope he or she enjoys it I tried to replicate many crevices arches as well as keeping alot of area "Benthic" as they stick close to the ground. A Minimum of 55 gallon is recommended for this species so hopefully a 75 gal will make it more enjoyable for the Octo.

Tank is a little cloudy still from filling it up and I have 40lbs of sand in and I got 20 more pounds im debating on adding let me know your thoughts!

Pre water can you point out the rock I was cycling in the reef tank!

 

[Reef Wizard]

Octo-Proofing​

Good Afternoon,

I have recently got some of the octoproofing done. The build is coming together slowly and with Octopus bimaculoides become harder to get we may change this to a warm water tank if I can find another species that will fit in a 75 gallon.

Any warm or other cold water species that you guys would think could go in a 75? Preferably diurnal but at this point I would *Consider* a nocturnal species



Octo-Proofing
Here is a picture of the recent additions some good ole baby locks. I am only did the back as its not as heavy as the glass fronts on the lid. Link to them here

Secondly, I have thought about putting some of this plastic wire behind the overflow to further proof it out. But Im afraid the 0.3 inch size holes are pointless and not small enough. However I would do some sort of mesh screen but im afraid that might clog and over flow the tank. Thoughts?

Also here is a clear pic of the aquascape the last ones were still cloudy due to sand

 

[Reef Wizard]

Lights and play things​

Good Evening,

I have a smallish update for today.


Lights
I have the lights rocking on a 12 hour timer. This is just a Hygger 42 watt light that can be turned down and changed to red and other colors if needed. I believe its for freshwater but I just wanted something over the tank that wasn't going to break the bank. The rocks will likely start getting color soon!


Play things (shells)
I also added some shells of different shapes and sizes. I also added some of these larger shells to kind of double up as a hide/cave/enrichment item. Hopefully my future Octo enjoys them!

PS excuse the water change bubbles and phyto culture in the background :)

 

[Arkayology]

I have no experience with octos, so I can't comment on any of your questions, but I can't wait to see the octo added to this tank!

 

[Reef Wizard]

I have no experience with octos, so I can't comment on any of your questions, but I can't wait to see the octo added to this tank!

Hopefully that addition will be very soon

 

[Reef Wizard]

The Prize​

Good afternoon

We are super excited that a resident has made it to the Bay!

Juvenile Bimac
I have acquired a captive bred Bimac! UPS arrived within 10 minutes of the package being out for delivery. We floated the bag for 15 minutes and then did a long 2 hour drip acclimation with an air stone. The salinity was a little low in bag 1.019 compared to my tank 1.025 so I went longer on acclimation. They have been in tank for about 10 minutes now. They are in a glass cup and going to let them figure out how to get out on their own.

I may be a nervous first time octo parent but can anyone chime in on breathing and how its looking. I feel like its okay and just adjusting considering being transported in the mail.

I have double checked ammonia nitrates and Salinity all are well within range.

I will try my utmost best to give this little guy or girl the best life I possibly can. I am absolutely honored and grateful to have such a unique animal in my care.

Here is a small clip of he/she hopefully breathing is okay that salinity was super low on my SG reading.

PS tanks lights are off now!

 

[Reef Wizard]

Morning of Day 4 Update Its been a stressful few days. I have yet to see him eat anything I have offered live littleneck clams cracked open. Live fiddler crabs frozen salmon and some shrimp from the market.

He has moved from the glass on his own and is staying around this central rock. He doesnt move much which has had me extremely worried

The salinty was low at about 1.020 so raised that up slowly in a matter of 2 hours I think tool a toll but I have ordered some smaller amphipods in bulk to release in the tank hopefully they will be here soon!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along! Honestly, I have no clue why I haven't been following your new tank!

 

[Reef Wizard]

Following along! Honestly, I have no clue why I haven't been following your new tank!

Its alright I feel like no one really looks at mine haha

 

[Reef Wizard]

So unfortunately my little guy has died. I dont really know why. I couldnt find him yesterday morning then I spotted him in the back last night and thought nothing of it due to the response I had the day before when I added a lot of large amphipods as it seemed he really liked eating those. I came and looked for him just now and he was in same spot. So I went to check on him and he has passed away

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

So unfortunately my little guy has died. I dont really know why. I couldnt find him yesterday morning then I spotted him in the back last night and thought nothing of it due to the response I had the day before when I added a lot of large amphipods as it seemed he really liked eating those. I came and looked for him just now and he was in same spot. So I went to check on him and he has passed away

Aww...man, I'm sorry.

 

[Arkayology]

I'm sorry that you lost the little octo. Are you going to try again?