Any others that have Cold water aquariums?

Ticketyboo · #1 03-04-2007, 02:52 PM

Hi all,

I'm just seeing if there are any others out there that have a cold water aquarium? I have one and collect species from local waters when diving and would like to know if anyone else has tips or experiences to share.

silver arrowana · #2 03-04-2007, 04:25 PM

Hi, what is the temp in C you kept your cold water species in ???

because I had a cold water tank before and not much success with it especialy with shrimps.

Thank

Ticketyboo · #3 03-04-2007, 05:08 PM

I am simulating the temp of the water at present, so its set at 8 degrees Celcius just now. Here are some pics of whats in my tank as i was collecting them.

krisalexander · #4 03-04-2007, 07:17 PM

a little of topic, can u post some full shots of ur tank, that is a sweet idea..

thanks

Kris

justinl · #5 03-04-2007, 07:25 PM

I want to set up a coldwater tank in the future because i am a little on the broke side at the moment. WHEN i do set it up though two things i want to put in are grunt sculpins because they are the cutest things ever and spiny pacific lumpsuckers because they are the most awkward looking fish ever. oh and i wouldn't mind a giant pacific octopus either.

Ticketyboo · #6 03-04-2007, 07:51 PM

I will take a pic of my tank as soon as. They pics on my thread are using an underwater camera, and it doesnt do so well on the surface. I have a sailfish sculpin in my tank and its stunning..... i was after some buffalo sculpin but i think its too big for my tank hence why i need a bigger tank... anyone want to donate me one?? Oh and also im switching from Glass to Acrylic due to the cold water, im getting alot of condensation on the outside.

For those of you who do want to start a cold water tank, give me a shout and we can do diving for some species or i can collect for you if you wish.

I did come accross a 4 inch red octopus a few months ago when diving in the kelp, was so tiny and cute, but i dont know enough about keeping an octopus yet. I also had a dive at porteau cove and came across a 6 foot octopus... try sticking this in your tank.....

justinl · #7 03-04-2007, 08:08 PM

That's actually exactly what I had in mind. I work at the vancouver aquarium (have you ever been?) and we have a giant octopus (trinity) that is about 5 feet tip to tip but is only about 2 years old apparently. I played with and hand fed her yesterday... that was amazing.

as for octo requirements, they require perfect H2O quality with minimal variations. no strong intakes (or just cover them with mesh). and because they are escape artists a lid or a mesh fence that is supported by pvc. They can't grip the mesh or ,for some reason, the pvc. not enough to escape anyways

kwirky · #8 03-05-2007, 04:54 PM

that anenome looks susiciously like aiptasia

Heard they can survive in those temperatures lol

Ticketyboo · #9 03-05-2007, 04:59 PM

Im going for more species tomorrow... will keep you updated and send more pics.... as for that annonemie... they oceans covered with them, can they survive in the tropics as well as cold water?

Dale · #10 03-06-2007, 04:07 AM

Hi ticketyboo.

I've been experimenting on and off with a coldwater/temperate system for about a year and a half now. Here is a link to my thread. http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...ight=temperate
As of now I have suspended the SW tank and am housing coldwater FW fish in the system instead. I did this because the set up became more complicated than I anticipated and I want to work out some stocking kinks and expand on the system. By stocking FW fish I can keep the tank running and track my temps through the summer. I intend to build a much larger refugium to breed microfauna and as a means of nutrient conversion. I was thinking of surge tanks for low heat input circulation but might also work on airlift pumps instead. I am also toying with the idea of a Jaubert/Monaco style filtration system if I can determine that enough dentrivores are available at lower temps.
Even with every known way to reduce heat inputs (no submersed pumps, cool lighting, sump on concrete slab) the system will require a chiller to keep true temperate species like the ones you are suggesting. I have tried everything to drive my temps down passively but by summer I expect the temps to be in the mid to high 60's. My current tank temp is 56*F.
Stocking is complicated and requires a well thought out plan. Originally I built a large skimmer that works very well but I then found it to be starving my clams, oysters, barnacles and other filter feeders. On the other hand many meat eating inverts that I like (starfish, sunstars) and fish create a lot of waste so skimming is required. 6 of one - half dozen of the other?
Many of our local fish will also only take live food so one has to be prepared to provide phyto plankton, zoo plankton, copepods and other microflora and fauna either by live capture, expensive store bought or a very mature system.
What are your fish feeding on BTW?
There is a thread on RC that deals with this subject as well. I'll try to edit in that link.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=890751
Look for me out in the big pond soon as I am taking a SCUBA course next month