My BEST hitchhiker is an OCTOPUS!

[Buddy Pine]

I never expected this to happen to me in my entire life. What a shocker! After picking up a few corals from my local Reef Stores, I was watching my tank one early morning when suddenly I saw something unusual moving besides the new coral i've just bought. I had to rub my eyes exactly what it is, when it moved and saw the tentacles it just freaked me right out! What an AMAZING hitchhiker!. Luckily my camera was handy and took some photos. I was told that it's from Indo Pacific and a Pigmy Octopus species. If anyone knows exactly what it is please let me know, thanks in advance.

These photos was the first day I found him in my tank, April 19, 2006 (night shots).
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Octopus5.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Octopus2.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Octopus4.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Octo9.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Octo7.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Octo13.gif

[Buddy Pine]

This is 2 months later, June 24, 2006 (day shots)

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Octo10-624.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Octo11-624.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Octo9-624.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Octo8-624.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Octo7-624.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Octo4-624.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Octo6-624.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Octo3-624.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Octo1-624.gif

[Sk8r]

What a neat critter!

[DHyslop]

Beautiful little guy! Thanks for sharing.

Do you feed him or let him scrounge?

Dan

[Frostyeel]

Does he leave the fish alone? Cool looking octo.

[Buddy Pine]

[QUOTE]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7627002#post7627002 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DHyslop
[B]Beautiful little guy! Thanks for sharing.

Do you feed him or let him scrounge?


I tried feeding him as much as I can but manage to eat a little more than expected.:eek:

[oceanscurve]

That octopus is going to rip apart your reef tank (eat all the fish, ext.). That inst a pygmy its a briareus. which grows to be 2 feet from tentical to tentical. I suggest returning it to your lfs for your reefs sake or isolating in your quaritine tank until you can get another tank for it.
It is a very cool hitch hicher though,

-Tom

[DHyslop]

He's pretty big now, so if you haven't seen him nip at the fish I wouldn't be too worried. Contrary to the stereotypes, its just as common for fish to harm octopus as vice versa; although if yours was being nipped at by the fish, I don't think he would show off like that.

If you were to take it to a LFS they would almost certainly kill it. You have a very happy accidental octopus and you can consider yourself lucky :)

If you are worried about the fish and want to keep trying to supplement its diet, you can get fiddler crabs for reasonable prices at www.aquaculturestore.com. I don't know if they ship to Canadia, though! ;)

It does look a lot like Octopus briareus, particularly the "web" at the base of its arms, but I don't think that's exclusively diagnostic. If your LFS is correct that it came from the Pacific then it is certainly not O. briareus. The question is whether or not the store really knows where their stuff comes from. Either way, its no dwarf!

Thanks again for sharing. Beautiful little guy.

Dan

[thedigitalimager]

Whatever the species, it's fascinating and gorgeous. If it doesn't work out in your tank, I'll bet that a public aquarium would take him. Thanks for sharing such a wonder!

[Yasha]

He is one attractive looking octopus. If you are wanting to keep him, post the pics on tonmo. They would be able to tell you what your your hitch hiker is. Keep posting pics of the cute one.

[shells]

what an awsome little guy. :)

[mikeatjac]

I would make sure that you have something in place to keep him from climbing out.

Thanks for the pictures, lots of fun viewing. LR is cool, you never know.....

[Buddy Pine]

Here he is feeding on Tiger Shrimp, man this guy is strong!!

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/OctEat1.gif

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/OctoEat2.gif

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/OctoEat3.gif

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/OctoEat4.gif

[thedigitalimager]

That's so cool! How often do you feed him?

[batesdc]

That is awsome what a great hiker!!!:D

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7665707#post7665707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thedigitalimager
That's so cool! How often do you feed him?

once or twice a day, shrimps and Iobsters.

[thedigitalimager]

You mentioned that he came in with some corals you purchased. I'm amazed that he went unnoticed. Was he really small? I know they are able to camouflage themselves.

[nancyocto]

You have a very beautiful octopus and you're doing well in keeping him. If you ever decide you don't want him (and that would be a shame), there are octopus keepers at this site (http://www.tonmo.com) who would be glad to have such a fine octopus. They'd like to see your excellent photos, too.

Nancy

[lessans]

I think it would be cool if you put him in his own tank that way you won't risk the lives of your corals. Plus, if you wanted to you could put in much bigger prey to watch him eat.

[Boomer]

Now that is cool :D L@@ks liike he likes it there.

[Konadog]

Now that's just cool!

[melev]

Yes, that is indeed an awesome hitchhiker. At first I was smiling to myself as there wasn't a fish in sight in most of your pictures, until I saw those tangs. :eek2: Looks like they are cohabitating well together, and if you feed that octopus as much as you are currently, I have to imagine it will grow more rapidly.

Hopefully there are those here with enough experience to give you the adequate feeding schedule so you don't end up with a giant octopus-in-a-box. ;)

Great pictures! :thumbsup:

[nancyocto]

You're feeding your octopus the right things and the schedule is good. The size it reaches will depend on the species.

Nancy

[Kinetic]

that's so amazing! It looks brown sometimes, then other times white! so cool =)

[Fini]

Did you end up making any major changes to the tank since your hitchhiker came (ie: tank top, filtration, rock, corals, etc)?

He's really gorgeous! You've got a rare treat for sure.

[melev]

Fini,

[welcome]

[Ciarán]

Wow some of THE best pictures ive ever seen here on RC. I dont know how old your octopus is but the longest lifespan you can hope for is 1-2 years from what ive read. It looks very healthy and seems to be thriving so hopefully it will live as long as possible. I dont keep octopi (pl.?) but i love cephalopods and these pics are amazing. If only you could breed him/her, it would be the icing on the cake.

[Poseidon]

That is WAY COOL!

Great shots, good luck keeping him/her. I'm betting you are running low on snails and hermits about now...

[nancyocto]

I'm very intersted to know how you took such wonderful photos - what camera, lighting, anything other tips..

Thanks, from all of us

[Bmpower007]

Man he has some awesome colors, great creatures.

[Reefcherie]

Any updates? How is your wonderful little hitchhiker doing?

[JmLee]

yeah we would love a update!.

[Buddy Pine]

Thanks to everyone, sorry been busy hooking up my "auto top off" and making sure everything works before I go on vacation. A lot of back and forth here and there you guys know what I mean. Anyways, my Octopus is just doing fine, healthy and being adventurous, he moved into my Frag/Refuge tank!!, I was so surprised to see the little guy waving at me when I was in the maintenance room, I can tell from his expressions - "I'm over here.. feed me, feed me.." it just looked so hilarious to me, what a smart creature. Actually, this is a good thing, that he moved, this gives me a chance to completely isolate him and able to completely cover the tank. I had to figure out a way of feeding him when go on vacation, that means live food that will last for a couple of weeks, so I experimented by placing "Manila Clams" from a grocery supermarket and he loved it. When I dropped them in the tank he came out being curious and started juggling them. He learned quickly how to opened. Also, this guy is a picky eater as well, he does not like the same food all the time. He'll the same food only for a couple of days, after that he wants something different. So, I have to leave him a variety when I'm gone, on the menu lists are: Manila Clams, Turbo Snails, Chromis, and Ghost Shrimps on the day I leave. Yeah, this guy is a happy camper for sure, i'm doing my best to make him live as long as possible, sadly that will probably only be a more months left and the only Octopus experience I'll ever have.

[Kinetic]

i'd recommend a tank sitter as well. you never know =/

[nancyocto]

What a friendly little hitchhiker!

Yes, please have someone look in on him while you're gone. Can you leave him any liive crabs? Even fiddlers will stay alive for a couple of weeks.

Nancy

[CraigG]

Wow what an amazing find! I am glad he ended up in a larger tank! Imagine someone with a nano ending up with that guy.

[JDrex]

very cool

[Reefcherie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7814414#post7814414 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kinetic
i'd recommend a tank sitter as well. you never know =/

If you have any local marine club members, I'm sure someone would be willing to help out in this regard. Since these fellows are short lived and you never know.... you surely would not want to take the chance of him picking while you were gone and fouling the water enough so that everything else is also wiped out.

If you aren't sure if there is a marine club anywhere near you, let me know where you live and I'll check MASNA's club database.

[sufunk]

Incredible hitchhiker and amazing photos!!
Definitely has my vote for thread of the month. From the brief glances you gave of us the tank, it looks like a candidate for tank of the month as well.
Please , when you get back from vacation, post some new pics of the octo and some full tank pics if you could. Would love to see them.

[the real fishman]

wow, thats amazing. seems very happy.

also more pics of the tank and octo please. would love to see more

[PITSTOP]

ULTRA SUPER COOL!

Amazing photos! Your heart must have been racing the night you discovered your beaked friend - gorgeous octopus; I challenge anyone to have a better hitchhiker story!

Oh yeah, more pics now...

[pnsnowboard]

this is amazing


you got my vote

[PITSTOP]

Again, awesome! Gorgeous pics to boot...I love the first few night shots - the glowing blue freckles are simply amazing...are these available for purchase?

[Scuba_Dave]

That's too cool. Diving I've been fairly lucky seeing Octopi on a regular basis. One was very curiuos & followed me down the reef - drift dive. I haven't been brave enough to put my hand out to allow one to touch me
They are very curiuos

[Boostable]

WOW, thats amazing!!!! I want one!!!!

[alexk3954]

Those are some awesome pictures! Make sure you have a good lid on your tank. My uncle had an octopus (the kind that imitates other animals to escape predators), but it pushed up the lid, jumped out, and ended up on the bathroom floor. His wife went into the bathroom in the middle of the night and ran out screaming after stepping in a "pile of goo". It would be a shame for such a cool creature to end up on the floor.

[Me No Nemo]

Wow is right!! Congrats on such an incredible find!!!

[thor32766]

that is truly a gorgeous specimen!

[jakaufman]

amazing find! i absolutely love it

i found a young octopus on the beaches in FL one time, we caught it and moved it to a safer area but it was amazing to see it up close and personal.. if they werent so difficult to keep in captivity i would love to have one

im happy tosee you tryign to keep it alive as long as possible and thats amazing it has become such a puppy-like member of your tank

[jay24k]

Definetly cool. I had an octopus in my 44 gallon a few years ago. It was a hitchhiker off TBS rock from Florida. It was pretty small but when I went to take it to a friend's predator tank, it didn't make it. I've read they don't take stress very well. Either way, good luck with it. They are definetly cool creatures.

[RobbyG]

I found one in my Tank also, Heres a pic of him, about the same size as yours.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/96341octo-med.jpg
I know you don't want to hear this but I suggest you get this guy out ASAP he is going to kill all your fish, they hunt them at night and all you find in the morning is half eaten bodies. The first thing he will consume is all your crabs then shrimp and lastly fish. They are very very smart and hard as hell to get out of the Aquarium, I suggest you get it right on the first attempt as he will never fall for the same trick twice.
My gut instinct tells me that you will ignore my post like the other one above that said the same thing, in that case say "Astalavista" to those fish, it's only a matter of time before he Terminates them ;)

[Mizu]

eh
Octopus > Fish

[Mizu]

"It does look a lot like Octopus briareus, particularly the "web" at the base of its arms, but I don't think that's exclusively diagnostic. If your LFS is correct that it came from the Pacific then it is certainly not O. briareus. The question is whether or not the store really knows where their stuff comes from. Either way, its no dwarf!"

Yeah he looks like My Octo Meatwad.
Meat was is an O. briareus but he came from florida
and some one asked about it and yes you can buy them but first
go to www.tonmo.com and start reading.
they can be kept they are not to hard once you know how.
just a matter of educating yerself :)

[riptidesreef]

Great photos....and I cant believe an octopus is eating better than I am. lol

[fishy555]

dO U WANT to sell it

[fishy555]

man reef keeping is to fun

[lux_06]

hey that guy looks awsome, i got one as a hitchhiker too, cept it took me the loss of 2 juv clowns, small mimic tang, leopard wrasse, dragon leapoard wrasse and a scoter blenny before i turned my bedside lamp on one night and saw this star shaped thing disapeer behind my rock, never ever saw it during the day, my GF refused to sleep at my place once i found it as i had no lid on my tank. never got him out, but found the body when my tank crashed in the rediculous 47 degree sumers day that cost me my entire setup ( air con broke, no ice or fans could cool my tank cos my rooms in the atic)

all my fish were smaller then the ones i can see in your photos and if he's used to your feedings should be ok by now. oh yeh when i told my mate at the LFS what i had found in my tank he laughed so hard to himself cos he said yeh we wondered where that thing disapeered to.... Gee thanks! how bout some store credit then!

[fishy555]

Sorry to hear lux_06 I wanna get one and set up a tank for it the min tank size for the dawrf octo is only 20g.... YAY

[RocketSeason]

Great find! Keep us up to date with some new pics!

Good luck to you!

[kmacartney]

Wow, that octopus is awesome! Does it change colors?


-Keith

[steve68]

Cool!
how big is it?

[FishMann]

Thats awsome. The same thing happened to me a couple years ago. He came in a turbo snail shell. Sadly there was a grouper in the tank and he didnt last very long.

[robitreef]

So, I have to leave him a variety when I'm gone, on the menu lists are: Manila Clams, Turbo Snails, Chromis, and Ghost Shrimps on the day I leave.


I was just curious, but how is he catching fish? At night when they sleep? Do they ambush their prey, or inject a toxin that imobilizes the animal? Or, is it just their quick reaction and sharp beaks that take out the prey?

Definately a great find. Hope he doesn't get too big for your refugium.

[brandoug]

Too cool!!!

[brandoug]

Too cool!!!

[The Ocellaris]

Hey awsome tank
Btw if its doing well already and its in your fuge i dont see any reason to get rid of it.
Good luck with it anyway an keep up the good work

[Buddy Pine]

Sadly to say, this past Sunday coming home from a 10 day family vacation to discover that my Reef Tank was out of power maybe for a week long. Everything was devastated (I don't know what worst I can say), everything was black and an unbearable strong gross smell. I went to the back room cautiously and one of the plastic tubing from my RO unit burst, spraying water all over until it short circuited some of the electricals and tripped two of the aquarium main breakers. Luckily nothing caught on fire, it just completely shut down the tank. All of my Fish, Clams and Octopus were completely decomposed and the Corals are wiped out. My 7 years of hard work with this 180 gallon Reef Tank just went down the drain in a matter of days. I did not have a tank sitter so I set up an Auto-Top-Off, the additonal plastic tubing that connected to the RO's main membrane had some weak spots on it and was the main cause. I was confident and so proud of myself with the set-up everything was running nicely, the auto-feeder and the the food for the Octo was all ready.

What a way to come home from a vacation, I would not wish this happen to anyone. What a bad feeling! I'm just a little messed up right now. Good bye everyone and good luck to all, thank you so much for all your compliments.

Manny.

[Buddy Pine]

... and here are the last photos.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/WIPE-OUT.gif

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Reef-WP1.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Reef-WP2.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Reef-WP3.gif

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Reef-WP4.gif

[the real fishman]

omg, so sorry to hear. that really sucks

[jbittner]

Sorry to hear this. Good Luck!

[Divetime]

:eek: Wow, truely amazing system and yet so fragile. Sorry to hear about your loss! What a horror story :(

[steve68]

that sucks !
sorry to hear this.

[OrionN]

OMG!!!!!!!
Very sorry to hear this. What a shocker back from vacation. Good luck.

[Jorge_Omar23]

No one was in charge of your tank during those 10 days?

I´m sorry for all your losses, but keep going you´ll be back in no time!

[diver_ua]

so sorry

[RocketSeason]

Wow. Please keep us up to date with what is going to happen from here.

I hope you can get your tank back up and going again real soon.

Good luck! I'm pulling for you!

[techrach]

OMG sorry to here

[lfduty]

That sucks it hapend to me 5mon's a go and this is all that lived i was out of town 3 days tho.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/lfduty/100_2075.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/lfduty/100_2076.jpg
and this is the tank to day.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/lfduty/thDSC017631.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/lfduty/thDSC017501.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b5/lfduty/IMG_08741.jpg
So stay with is it like a bike falloff and get back up and go good luck. :(

[55semireef]

This thread has amazed me. Two very rare things occured.

Finding an octopus in your tank

Tank crashing

[OrionN]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7910945#post7910945 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 55semireef
This thread has amazed me. Two very rare things occured.

.......

Tank crashing
This is not rare at all.

[55semireef]

Haha...lets see the statistics on how often it happens then. If this wasn't a rare event...then we would be seeing a lot more threads stating "my tank crashed, now what?"


Its not just rare but ironic on how it all happened. Thats what I really meant.

[melev]

I'm sorry to hear what happened. It sounds like it wasn't something you could have predicted at all. :(

[zombiedust]

Mega sweet you lucky northerner !

[55semireef]

For some reason I predidcted it in the beginning. Somehow I knew something was going to go wrong. It was too good to be true.

[anothermineral]

Manny,

Sorry for your loss. When you're ready to start up again let me know and I'll send you a frag. I've always felt this hobby needs some type of "social security" system to help out in times such as these.

[joe findell]

Just a thought... For someone to take what many would call a risk and keep the octo instead of ridding the potential menace is commendable in itself. To plan the family vacation and take what sounds like great care and thought to maintain the system and have the results that happened here is just devastating. If everyone that posted on this site would do as anothermineral suggested and be willing to send a frag or 2 to restart this system, we could truly support our hobby and help rebuild this piece of the ocean. It would take some cordination and following this thread to make it work along with the willingness to set the system back up.

What do you guys think.

If this works out count me in!

"PAY IT FORWARD"

[joe findell]

I should have said posted on this thread. I dont think there is a home system big enough to handle a frag from everyone on this site. :rollface:

[SumpDiver]

A sad, but well written story. Lesson learned, anything mechanical and automated, given enough time will surely fail.

[TJcop]

Wow...I was about to write a compliment on becoming the thread of the month...but then I saw the "crash". Geesh...what a bummer!

Sorry about the loss. Hopefully you're not out of the hobby.

Geesh, has a "thread of the month" ever been so depressing?

[merseyman]

... haven't read the whole thread, so maybe this was covered, but unless your tank has a virtually airtight lid, your octopus may end up outside your tank one day, unfortunately. There was an octopus at monterey bay aquarium that was discovered slipping out of his tank nightly and slipping into other tanks full of fish for a "late night snack" before returning to it's own tank. They're very intelligent.

[rich_tilbury]

The Octopus was brilliant and it is sobering to hear that the nightmare that haunts us all, that of a malfunction while on holiday, crashed what looked an amazing tank.

I hope that you manage to get the tank running quickly and that your hitchhiker luck continues.

A bittersweet thread, but well deserving of thread of the month.

[speckled trout]

55semireef ,

I was gone for two weeks this summer. During that time period my wife took care of my tanks. She was gone for 2 1/2 days out of the whole two weeks. Guess what happened? The fan went out on our central cooling unit and the temperature in the house rose to over 100.

I was in out of state so my wife got to do her first (and last) water change. She changed out 75g out of my 105g. I lost 5 species of lps and sps, 2 toadstools, tons of ricordia, 2 gorgonians and a flame angel. A black percula, 1 oscellaris, one maroon clown, all my zoos, a galaxia, a cup coral, a small patch of star polyps out of a huge isolated colony and a few ricordias are all that remains. Only one small green monti surived while two large orange montis bleached out immediately.

The summer before, when I was gone for approximately the same amount of time, the power went of and my return pump from my sump didn't kick back on. Neither did some of the pumps that circulated my water in the display tank. End result, 2 dead tangs, 3 clowns, 3 damsals, 1 firefish, 1 foxface, 2 angels, 2 wrasse, 5 cleaner shrimp, one flame shrimp, 1 sargent major. Again, the tank was only left unchecked for 2 consecutive days out of the whole time period. That time my all my corals survived with the exception of a large orange monti. Luckily, I had fragged it and had a small colony in one of my school tanks. I fragged it again and started it all over.

Long story short, I've experienced 2 major crashes in approx. 30 years of keeping tanks and they both happened when I was gone. Bottom line, it does happen.

Buddy Pine, I really feel for you. I know what it's like and it sucks unbelieveably. You face a huge amount of work ahead of you. I almost gave up on the whole mess when it happened the second time to me. I really came close to giving up the hobby. I was utterly depressed for several days as I sat out of state knowing my tank was a disaster. Thank God my wife was beyond patient and did what she could to save what she was able to. She had never used a refractometer or "played" with skimmers before this. Imagine trying to explain how to do this over a cell phone that kept dropping your calls! Dang Cingular! Fewest dropped calls my buttocks!

That was amost two months ago. I finally talked myself into going back to one of my regular lfs and purchased some new corals to "replace" some of the ones that I wasn't able to salvage just yesterday. I'm now glad I stuck with it and saved what I could. It would have been extremelly easy to just take it down and call it quits. Adding a couple of new corals back to the tank raised my enthusiasm quite a bit. In a few weeks I'll be getting frags of some of my corals that I had fragged and given away over the last couple of years. It feels pretty good to know that "part" of them survived and will once again be back in my tanks.

Good Luck and stick with it and let us know how it turns out.-Mike

[OrionN]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7922672#post7922672 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 55semireef
For some reason I predidcted it in the beginning. Somehow I knew something was going to go wrong. It was too good to be true.
What a stange thing to say? :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Buddy Pine,
Best of luck in get your tank restart.
BTW, donating local frags is great but send them overnight mail is just too costly and much of a hassel to make it worth while. When I was selling frag online, I have to take off an afternoon everytime I send a package. The money I got from the frag did not even cover the lost in income for the time off.

[jay24k]

55semireef,

That was pretty rude to say imo. It wasn't his fault because of the octopus. To me it seems like maybe you were a little envious and hoping something WOULD happen badly.

I'm in for sending frags. I'd like to see the tank back up and running. You only learn from your mistakes.

[Buddy Pine]

Much obliged everyone, for all your support which always leads me to positive direction. For the love my "Reef".... still feeling so numb...nodding... seven years of enjoyment with this tank almost everyday, now to come home and look at....

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Crash6.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Crash5.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Crash4.gif

[OrionN]

Cheer up. Think of it like this:
The smelly stuff is out of the house. It is much easier now. Wait for the rock to recycle (in the yard I hope). Water, salt, and you are back in business. The hard work is over. I know because I clean up a huge mess before too. My tank was bigger than yours with a thicker sand bed. I have to climb into that smelly mess to scoop it out.
The fishes lost were sad but all the other animals did not have enough awareness to feel anything.

Let the fun of restocking begin and the satisfaction in seeing these tiny corals grows and grows. You know much more about your tank now and you will put in just the right animals this time.
Good luck.

[pi]

Damn! That middle pic is tough to look at.

[zuzecawi]

Buddy, I've read this top to bottom... and I can't convey my sympathy well enough for you. Good luck with the rebuild... don't give up.
M'kee

[Ciarán]

Wow, horrible man! And to think i got away with 14 days and no sitter. Some things just dont seem fair. I would gladly send you many frags, unfortunately i live in Ireland so that's probably out of the question, but yeah, anything i can do...

All the best
Ciaran.

[Bas Arentz]

very, very sad!!! will you start over?

[steve68]

55semireef
why would u even post something like that?
Buddy Pine hang in there man.

[tacomareefer]

Wow I am sorry for your losses. I am also willing to send out some out soem frags when you are ready.

[crispyreef]

Great pics!

[reeferchickdc]

Oh you poor thing. That really blows. I am so sorry. I feel a little sad and sick to my stomach for you. Good luck moving on. To look on the bright side... It will be really fun restocking and redesigning. I have a wonderful friend that I give my keys to when I'm gone to feed and take care of my tank. I feel like I should call and thank him right now. Actually, I will. aloha. Good luck.

[reeferchickdc]

Oh you poor thing. That really blows. I am so sorry. I feel a little sad and sick to my stomach for you. Good luck moving on. To look on the bright side... It will be really fun restocking and redesigning. I have a wonderful friend that I give my keys to when I'm gone to feed and take care of my tank. I feel like I should call and thank him right now. Actually, I will. aloha. Good luck.

[AdidaKev]

So sorry to hear of your loss. :(

[GlobaLPimP]

I have read every post in this thread and all I can say is WOW. I'm so sorry for you and your tank. Now keep your chin up and give it another shot!

[KAZEKY]

I'm sorry to hear your loss. good luck

[999sterling]

It seems it's always the equipment you expect to solve your problems that gets you. I lost my tank when I upgraded my lighting to a "new" used light fixture a few years ago. A support failed and the whole thing landed in the tank. Needless to say all breakers blew and I came home the following weekend to find that my reef was a glass box full of dead things in smelly water. What the power outage didn't kill I believe the metals in the fixture did. I've never seen or heard of anything in this hobby as bad as that feeling at that moment. If you want to give up the hobby...I wouldn't blame you. But remember what you'll be missing if you do. I've also never heard of anything so bad that it was better to never have had a reef. You'll never have a chance at a octopus hitch hiker if you don't first have a reef to put the rock in.

Good luck!!! and on the bright side....now you get to redesign and start with a clean tank, and lots more knowledge.

[duhfactor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7998728#post7998728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 999sterling
It seems it's always the equipment you expect to solve your problems that gets you. I lost my tank when I upgraded my lighting to a "new" used light fixture a few years ago. A support failed and the whole thing landed in the tank. Needless to say all breakers blew and I came home the following weekend to find that my reef was a glass box full of dead things in smelly water. What the power outage didn't kill I believe the metals in the fixture did. I've never seen or heard of anything in this hobby as bad as that feeling at that moment. If you want to give up the hobby...I wouldn't blame you. But remember what you'll be missing if you do. I've also never heard of anything so bad that it was better to never have had a reef. You'll never have a chance at a octopus hitch hiker if you don't first have a reef to put the rock in.

Good luck!!! and on the bright side....now you get to redesign and start with a clean tank, and lots more knowledge. I just broke down my tank to move into my new house, and boy do I miss it....I also think you'll feel empty without it.....BTW 999sterling...where in utah do you live?

D

[melev]

999sterling,

[welcome]

You make some excellent points. So how come I've not ended up with a cool hitchhiker like this thread?

[Manon]

What a treat to be able to see this beautiful life daily!! I have leather coral which grows amazingly in my tank and before I learned how to propagate it I went to my local aquarium to see if they would take it b/c it was getting too big for my tank and they were really excited about it!! I would not take it back to the fish store either if it gets too big. I once had a tiny about 1/8" jelly fish that showed up in my tank!! Unfortunately, it disappeared as fast as it appeared. Don't know what happen to it, perhaps it is still in my tank!! Manon

[Pico Keeper]

I'm so sorry. I won't go into a long sympathetic letter here. Just make the best of restocking. Cure that rock, but it back in and PM me when you have a tank ready to go, i'll send you some sps and softy frags!

Setup a nano to keep you in the reefin spirit while you get the 180 going again.. Keep on truckin' Be strong and be grateful for the 7 years of enjoyment you did get out of the tank.

[Rik James]

I would also be more than glad to send you some frags. I'm just a newby but I have some soft corals that are doing well. Keep your chin up, and get that beautiful tank going again.

[asfullax]

Buddy Pine,

Sorry for your loss as I am sure everyone on here is. I can say that even though everybod'y tank is their own "child" I came into this hobby with the notion that I will have a crash at some point, unfortunately this has happened twice but with each time I remind myself that we are performing an almost impossible task of keeping these creatures and with each failure, we come back with stronger and better systems. Which, in turn ensures that we are helping to lengthen the captivity time for the future.

Looking at your tank pre AND POST I can tell that you have the heart and skills nessicary to continue, and although you may not feel it now you will love and cherish your new "child" just as you did before.

Again, I am sorry for what happened, but as you may have lost the inhabitants of the tank, you carry forward with experience gained.

Alex. :(

[ericwebster]

sorry to hear.

My aquarium is my little world and I know how attached I have gotten in a very short time. We all do the best we can but these things still happen and its very sad.

Good luck rebuilding your world.

There should be a "Tank Crash Frag Fund" where people can donate frags so in case of a crash they can help re-populate your tank.

[asfullax]

(THREADJACK)
There has always been talk about establishing a fund / support group but the general concept is flawed due to honesty issues. Without finding a way to confirm the validity of a crash, or cause its almost impossible.

Once somebody establishes a reef insurance organizaiton all we can do is help out on a personal level. :(

(WE NOW RETURN YOU BACK TO SOBBING)

[Buddy Pine]

Hello everyone, thank you for all your support and sympathies.... I am trying to revive my beloved "reef" hobby back into action. Realistically, I sincerely appreciate your frag offerings, but in transit wise, I would not let that be a nuisance for everyone. Been in the dungeon for a while and thinking what to do. Fortunately there's a LFS called "Where's The Reef" in Mississauga, Ontario Canada, who's been very helpful. He started me with a couple of frags to start off my 50g. frag tank (that's what is running at the moment). I can't believe it i'm actually starting from scratch!, water cycling, the whole works! Here are my first frags.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/FragsWTR2.gif

[OrionN]

Best of luck to the future TOTM.

[coil1002]

Buddy

I commend you for starting over.

[ericwebster]

Best thing about starting over -- is you can rebuild better than before (mistakes of the past)

I know I have already done some things diffrently if I knew then what I know now.

[jbittner]

Glad to see you back---Best of luck

[jasutton]

I am frickin depressed

[broncomike]

You da man! Hang in there! And remember; there are two types of people in the reef collecting world - ones that have had a tank crash and ones that will have a tank crash! Good Luck and keep us posted!

[broncomike]

You da man! Hang in there! And remember; there are two types of people in the reef collecting world - ones that have had a tank crash and ones that will have a tank crash! Good Luck and keep us posted!

[miwoodar]

Good luck. You'll be back on your feet and 100% again sooner than you think. Your tank may have required 7 years of development before the crash but this time it will only take a fraction of that time.

About ten years ago I took a job on the road and had to sell all of my tanks. The jerk I sold my main reef to 1) took a job on the road himself, 2) had his power shut off due to not paying his bills, and 3) totally stiffed me on payment. It took me a while to decide to get back into the hobby again but now that I am back I can tell you to keep your head up. Things move much (MUCH) faster with each new setup.

[in_flight]

i've got to say that buddy pine is a real trooper, he's currently in the planning stages of an upgrade, bigger and better, can't wait to see some pics after the new setup is a year old!

[smokinprice]

Buddy Pine

I am sorry for your loss. Man that sucks. Your tank looked amazing! I am glad to see that you are starting again. I cant imagine how hard it must be for you to do so. Good luck and keep us posted.

[vessxpress1]

I just ran across this thread after doing a search for threads about power outages. I just finished reading the whole thing. This should still be nominated for thread of the month. What a saga!! That was a beautiful octo. Thanks for sharing. Good luck with the new set up. Like has been said, now you can improve it and avoid mistakes you made before. Let the journey begin!

[melev]

Vessxpress1, this thread was Thread of the Month in August's Reefkeeping Online. That is why so many people found it in the first place.

[aquarius77]

WOW i just registerd here and this is the second thread i have read...
Amazing tank and the very best of luck starting again.

[melev]

aquarius77,

[welcome]

[sgolden]

i feel for you ....i had a crash while on vaca last year....i think i will give my tank away before i go away again.....at least i might get some frags back...such a lovely octo....and tank...its gotta hurt....so sorry

[venwu225]

why do **** like that always happens to dedicated people~?~!!?

[Mrs_Witchdoctor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8152553#post8152553 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by venwu225
why do **** like that always happens to dedicated people~?~!!?

I think its because we care enough to post it as it happens to teach lessons to everyone. :(

[dwhatley]

Since you enjoyed your octopus, would it be a positive move to consider building out a tank to house one? I found the thread looking for information and experience as we are building out a tank to house our first cephalopod (we keep primarily seahorses now) so my suggestion comes from our own enjoyment of planning a new tank. Nancy has suggested the primary forum for information (TONMO) and you might find a special enjoyment that encourages your restart.

"D"

[syddakyd]

thats really cool

[sublime250]

I'm tagging along to this thread- I'm looking forward to the large in-wall octopus tank- ;)

But seriously I'm excited to see what lies ahead for your tank- and will be anxiously waiting for updates- so don't leave us hangin! :bum:

[Feelers]

Wow I was just reading along this thread very intently - your octopus photos were fantastic, then to find it turns into a horrible tank crash, it's very depressing to read about, let alone how bad it must feel experiencing it!

Its very nice to see you're back into it though - perhaps an SPS reef/octotank could be a cool future goal.

And you photo skills are top notch, I loved every one of them! :D
Good luck I hope you will once again grace the threads with some more stunning pictures. If you get another octopus Pheonix would make a cool name. ;)

Its been a while since the original poster replied - any updates?

[KozmoTKramer]

LOL no tank sitter LOL funny how people posted that you would need a sitter too. I get a sitter even if it is only half a day.

[KozmoTKramer]

I think I am being smited from above for my less than sympathetic reatcion.

Power is out all over Seattle area (Sammamish is where I live). The Power went out the day I left for Haiwaii on Thursday. The power is expected to be out through the weekend.

Luckily I have a generator, which I have used about 12 hours in 2 years. This morning the tank got down to 69 degrees! All the backflow into the sump from shutting on and off teh generator to refill it delcalibrated the heater, and the fire in the living room was left off. Now i just want to fly home to protect my tank! I don't think it will be too bad though. So now I have a lack of gas issue. Luckily my sister's boyfreind is bringing some from Seattle. Argh, and I think I need to have him change the oil in the generator. Sitter is at work till a bit later, so I hope the tank temp is back to normal.

Man this is stressful even with 1 pet sitter and 2 helpers!

Sorry about your tank, must have been one of the most depressing things. My mom has not been exactly sympathetic with this whole situation, and boy did that frusterate the hell out of me...

Good luck in the future.

[melev]

Sorry about your tank, must have been one of the most depressing things. My mom has not been exactly sympathetic with this whole situation, and boy did that frusterate the hell out of me...

Good luck in the future.

Well said.

[the_anti_honda]

All I can say after finding this thread is crap that sucks. I would cry I think..

Hit me up for frags when you are ready for some more.

[JGermanow]

Man I am speechless right now.... You sir have my deepest sympathy... I have been reading posts to better educate myself, but today while browsing i came across this thread and have been captivated and depressed all in the past 30 min. I have read every reply, and cant tell you how happy i am to find out that you did not give up after the terrible "MELT DOWN" That you have endured. Also all of the support that fellow enthusiasts have given is simply great.. I too would like to send you some frags if and when you are ready for them... KEEP THE HOBBY ALIVE!! GOOD LUCK!

[Buddy Pine]

It's been a while since i've posted, in return I really really appreciate who've responded and update everyone on where i stand. For those who i've neglected of not having a tank sitter, I did not have anyone access to in the beginning (ATO was one of the reason but accidentally failed). So I've decided to sell my 180 gallon system.


Removal of the 180 gallon system:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/fishroom-before-1.gif

New Miracles 270 gallon Strafire:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/270g-3.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/270g-1.gif

130 gallon sump:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/130g-sump.gif

Partial equipment:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Equip-1.gif

Acquired frags, temporarily in sump:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/130g-sump2.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/130g-sump3.gif

Newly acquired livestock: "CATFISH"
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/270g-5.gif

[FiberLux]

Welcome back and Congratulations on your new Reef System!

Can't wait to see it up and running! :D

Boyd

[dwhatley]

Buddy,

Why did you sell the 180? From the look of it, the 180 might have been the perfect sump ;>). Please do post pictures as the new system becomes a reef.
"D"

[niloc16]

i'm totally impressed you jump back and upgraded. i cant even imagine that happening to me and i feel for you, but now the hobby and 'addiction' can be revived and jump start a whole new adventure. i'm definitely tagging along for this one. that new tank looks amazing.

[melev]

That's going to be a great setup. What are your livestock plans, other than the newly acquired catfish? ;)

[Buddy Pine]

It's going to be dominantly SPS. And a few interesting Zoanthids, LPS and Ricordeas.
As for fish, it will be a selectively number of Tangs, Anthias, Wrasses and others.

[danieljames]

Very nice aquarium buddy

[Buddy Pine]

Thanks everyone, i'm going for a vengance!!!:D

[goulashriot]

vengence sounds like a fantastic plan to me.

bigger and better than before, i like the sound of that!

[jay24k]

My offer still stands. Hit me up and if you cover shipping, I'll send you a nice frag pack to get you going.

[Buddy Pine]

Thank you Jay24k, are you serious. No problem about shipping cost i'll cover it let me know how much.

dwhatley: The 180 is too tall and awkward, it was easier just to sell the whole system.

[jski711]

wow i just spent like an hour reading all of the posts and i am so sorry to hear what happened. well look on the bright side thats a pretty sick setup you are putting together. i look at my little 75g everyday and i couldn't imagine going through that. just wanted to give you my .02. good luck and we will definatly need some pics when you get ready to setup. happy new year, im sure 07 will be better for ya!!!

jake

[Buddy Pine]

okay.. just finished hooking up the new Sequence Hammerhead pump for the closed loop to push through a 4 way Oceans Motions version 2 drum. Testing the flow, so far so good, and lots of movement.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Hammer1.gif

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Hammer2.gif

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Hammer4.gif

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Hammer3.gif

[dwhatley]

soooo, are you giving surfing lessons now?

I assume you can REDUCE the uh ... motion in the ocean?

"D"

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9067006#post9067006 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dwhatley
soooo, are you giving surfing lessons now?

I assume you can REDUCE the uh ... motion in the ocean?

"D"


:lmao: just mxin' the salt quickly.

[melev]

Did you buy those Tee fittings with all the holes in it? That's new to me. That's a wave alright!

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9068730#post9068730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Did you buy those Tee fittings with all the holes in it? That's new to me. That's a wave alright!

I drilled those holes on the "T" fittings and also on top of those black guard strainers. I wanted to create as much less suction as possible for the 4way Oceans Motions' intake so that any fish (weak) won't get suck in. I put my hand in and don't feel any suction at all, so drilling those extra holes definitely worked. The 4 bottom holes are my output for the 4 way OM with version 2 drum.

Here's the bottom photo before I hooked up the brackets and the Hammerhead pump.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/CL-4wayOM2.gif

[Buddy Pine]

My Rockwork in progress.

Gathering all the rock pieces.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Rockwork1.gif

Left center hollow for the fish sweet home.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Rockwork2.gif

No acrylic rods or pvc, simply epoxy and Thorite cement. Don't like that "Club Sandwich" look. :D
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Rockwork5.gif

Drilled a few holes to attached future corals.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Rockwork-b4.gif

Levelled a few Rockwork to rest even on glass.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Rockwork-c2.gif

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Rockwork-c1.gif
Final set up before it goes in the DT.
#1 = 40 lbs.
#2 = 35 lbs.
#3 = 25 lbs.
#4 = 30 lbs.
#5 = 31 lbs.
#6 = 22 lbs.
#7 = 19 lbs.
#8 = 34 lbs.
#9 = 41 lbs.
#10 = 4 lbs. (camo rock for Tunze 6100)
TOTAL: 281 lbs.

Left side.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Rockwork-c4.gif

Right side.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Rockwork-c5.gif

Full tank shot.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Rockwork-c3.gif

[melev]

That is really cool. I never thought about adding putty or cement to the bases to make them stay flat on the substrate or glass.

I love the numbered pieces picture. :)

[rayman45]

good for you that u went bigger and better...

[duhfactor]

I love the rockwork, what type of epoxy did you use? Did you somehow mix it with the cement? Or did you use epoxy on some parts and cement on others? What a great idea!

D

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9091670#post9091670 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Damon1
I love the rockwork, what type of epoxy did you use? Did you somehow mix it with the cement? Or did you use epoxy on some parts and cement on others? What a great idea!

D


I used mainly Thorite cement (two thumps up!), expoxy was used only on small rock ledges that requires a little extra support.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Rockwork6.gif

[duhfactor]

Was it just thorite and water? I'm assuming thats what the bucket was for, a mixing bucket. I was trying to read what was on the side of the bucket wondering if there was some special mixture or addative of some kind.

D

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9092798#post9092798 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Damon1
Was it just thorite and water? I'm assuming thats what the bucket was for, a mixing bucket. I was trying to read what was on the side of the bucket wondering if there was some special mixture or addative of some kind.

D

It's another type of cement i've used from Home Depot call "Plug Tite" by King, it is another type of hydraulic cement used for plugging water leaks on concrete. It cures very fast with in seconds and very hard to work with, I fine Thorite much more forgiving and gives you a bit more time to play with. I think it's much stronger as well. The best way is to mix a small amount to attach two rocks at a time. Just mix it with water and that's it.

[duhfactor]

How long do you have to wait for it to cure? Do you just position it how you want with your hands, then support it with something while it cures?

[lux_06]

any plans to get another octopus?

[saltwater4life1]

looks sweet whats your stock plans and what type of lighting you going to run? makes me wanna get a tank like that :D i'd love to go from a 20g to a 270...( if you wanna give it to me I'll take it off your hands :D)

Best of luck!,
Nick

[xtm]

wow Welcome Back! Addicts will always be addicts :D

[mallyk]

I just read this thread from start to finish...

.. I know you've heard it a hundred times, but i'm sorry about the crash of your tank. Good on you for getting right back up and starting over, even bigger!!

Your new set-up is impressive!!! :eek1: I would love to have a tank in the wall w/ a room set up just for my fish tank.. thats awsome.

Good luck w/ the new tank, and keep us posted!

[999sterling]

Sweet new setup.

I'm green with envy. :bounce3:

Are you worried about the cement you used on the rocks messing with your PH? I've heard that's a problem when you use cement.

[Buddy Pine]

duhfactor: I let the cement cure overnight just to be in the safeside. It holds on it's own or other objects or clamps to hold them together.

lux_o6: The Octopus was an accident but definitely was amazing, I learned a lot more caring for that remarkable species. They require lot of more care and attention though, I don't think I would buy another one unless again with my luck another hitchhiker.

Mallyk: Thanks.

999sterling: No problem with PH at all, there's a lot of water in that tank (270 gallons) there was not a lot of cement used, PH is at 8.2. It's just saltwater and rocks at the moment cycling before I place the 360 lbs. sand which is also cycling in the vat for 4 months now. I do 25 gallons water changes within a week, plus I replace saltwater from the sump that has my liverocks and corals. I'm really just taking my time and not rushing it at all. Once the water parameters are equal with the sump and the DT, then i'll be moving all the livestock from the sump to the DT bit at a time.
:D

[melev]

Buddy, you aren't concerned about the sand having anoxic layers by now? Usually I don't worry unless it is over 6 months old, so you're still in the safe zone, but you said cycle and I don't know how it was tied into your livestock situation (if any).

I would try to collect the top inch (the most life will be there), and then place the bulk in your tank and place the top 1" worth on top of that.

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9128336#post9128336 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Buddy, you aren't concerned about the sand having anoxic layers by now? Usually I don't worry unless it is over 6 months old, so you're still in the safe zone, but you said cycle and I don't know how it was tied into your livestock situation (if any).

I would try to collect the top inch (the most life will be there), and then place the bulk in your tank and place the top 1" worth on top of that.

The new sand were with the old rocks during cooking stage separated from the sump where my livestocks are. I'm basically starting the second time from scratch not worried about anything else that's why I wasn't in a hurry, but I've added the sand in the DT tonight, thanks for the heads up. My intension this time was to start up with a clean biological system as much as possible, avoiding bad hitchhikers? I'll be adding only a few new live rocks but quarantined and inspected before it goes to my DT. I know it's gonna be impossible but i'll try my best, am I dreamin'? I'm still learning everyday, your inputs are very important to me. Thanks again for all your contributions.:D

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9128336#post9128336 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Buddy, you aren't concerned about the sand having anoxic layers by now? Usually I don't worry unless it is over 6 months old, so you're still in the safe zone, but you said cycle and I don't know how it was tied into your livestock situation (if any).

I would try to collect the top inch (the most life will be there), and then place the bulk in your tank and place the top 1" worth on top of that.

The new sand were with the old rocks during cooking stage separated from the sump where my livestocks are. I'm basically starting the second time from scratch not worried about anything else that's why I wasn't in a hurry, but I've added the sand in the DT tonight, thanks for the heads up. My intension this time was to start up with a clean biological system as much as possible, avoiding bad hitchhikers? I'll be adding only a few new live rocks but quarantined and inspected before it goes to my DT. I know it's gonna be impossible but i'll try my best, am I dreamin'? I'm still learning everyday, your inputs are very important to me. Thanks again for all your contributions.

[topshotta]

Looks like it's going to be a beatiful setup! What kind of rock is that (dry) looks sort of like Tufa, or is that from your old system?

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9201267#post9201267 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by topshotta
Looks like it's going to be a beatiful setup! What kind of rock is that (dry) looks sort of like Tufa, or is that from your old system?

Yes, the rocks are from the old system cooked for a few months, additional new live rocks will be added which I already have in the sump.

[dwd5813]

your resiliance is worthy of applause. i'm sure the new reef will be mind blowing. best of everything on your new adventure.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Sectoid]

Newly acquired livestock: "CATFISH"
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/270g-5.gif [/B]
Sorry to hear about your tank...always fun starting over though. I saw the picture and actually laughed so hard, Dr. Pepper cam out my nose. My cat just used to watch my tank. Never got in.

[sgolden]

i really like the openness of the new rockwork, and am glad to see you didnt give in...man...i would give a kidney to have the set up you are building...

[CoralFiend]

I had bookmarked this thread way back in the octopus stage and never saw the crash...until today. This thread is amazing with it's roller coaster ride of emotions.

Buddy Pine I too know the feeling of coming home to a 10 day old dead reef that I had babied for 7 years. Mine was only a 75 (pics in my gallery), but hurt none the less. I lost mine to Hurricane Rita in '05 and the subsequent 14 days with no power. My excitement to return home and find my house still standing was quickly knocked down a few notches when I opened the door to find the remains of my reef. I cannot even describe the disappointment I felt, so I know how this affected you.

I was so excited to see you coming back with a vengeance, as this is what I have decided to do also (albeit on a smaller scale than you). Crashes suck, but true reefers are a hardy breed that never give up. Your new set up will be awesome! Love everything you have done so far.

I will anxiously follow this thread again, because I have a feeling it will be all good news from here on out! Please keep us updated or link us to a new build thread, if you start one. Personally, I think you should just contiune this one.

[morayeelsrule]

hey if you ever decide you don't want i have the perfect tank for him and would be more than willing to pay for him thanks
ryan

[jamesbuf]

very cool

[asfullax]

Absolutly amazing. I am in shock, your old system looked wonderfull, but the new system is just truely inspiring. I wish you the best of luck and I will be watching this thread as I have since the begining. with my attention span, I am amazed at how your story has kept me following. in the words of dori (sorry I had to:)) "This is gonna be great, I can tell."

:D

[SgtMaj]

makes me want one... well, more than before.

Wish I had a good tank for one.

[ipwizard]

BUMP

Any new info on your tank?

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9778949#post9778949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ipwizard
BUMP

Any new info on your tank?

Thanks for your interest, I though this thread got tired. Well, for an update, I still don't have my full filtration system, my Schuran AQ250 Jetstream and other filters should be here next week or let just say a few more weeks. I'vbe spared a lot of patience for this and it better be worth it, waiting for it for almost 6 months! My poor Euro Reef RS?80 model is working overtime. Removed the Tunze 6100 and rock camo, the Hammerhead CL is doing just fine. Here are some latest photos as of tonight, please note i've switched places on rock #2 and #8.

Left side:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/4-2.gif

Centre:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/4-3.gif

Right side:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/4-4.gif

End shots:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/4.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/4-1.gif

FT shot:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/4-5.gif

I'm now paranoid about "Hitchhikers" when I buy new Corals!:)

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9778949#post9778949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ipwizard
BUMP

Any new info on your tank?

Thanks for your interest, I though this thread got tired. Well, for an update, I still don't have my full filtration system, my Schuran AQ250 Jetstream and other filters should be here next week or let just say a few more weeks. I'vbe spared a lot of patience for this and it better be worth it, waiting for it for almost 6 months! My poor Euro Reef RS?80 model is working overtime. Removed the Tunze 6100 and rock camo, the Hammerhead CL is doing just fine. Here are some latest photos as of tonight, please note i've switched places on rock #2 and #8.

Left side:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/4-2.gif

Centre:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/4-3.gif

Right side:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/4-4.gif

End shots:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/4.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/4-1.gif

FT shot:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/4-5.gif

I'm now paranoid about "Hitchhikers" when I buy new Corals!:)

[melev]

It looks great! What a turn around; nice job. :thumbsup:

[ipwizard]

I second that what a rollercoaster ride you have been through. I'm glad you stuck with the hobby and even "upgraded" your setup .

I know the thread just died out last month I just happened across it and just had to find out how your tank was doing.

Thanks for the update!!

[the_anti_honda]

I have been following this thread for some time and and would like to third what was said above..

After it fills in a bit I could see someone being nominated for TOTM in the future. Not that you would be far from deserving it now.

[Buddy Pine]

After searching and waiting for over six months, my Schuran stuff finally arrived today.:D
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Schuran-pckg1.gif

$4,000 worth of plastics?:eek:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Schuran-pckg2.gif

[ipwizard]

Ahh new toys to play with:D Nice

[TheSaltwaterGuy]

Sorry to hear about your tank. But look, now you have a bigger and better tank!!! I don't mean to be corny or anything, but people like you inspire me. You kept your head up and never quit when things got tough and you came out strong.

[BigPerm1]

So since no one else asked, when are you getting another octopus??? =)

[sgolden]

man...i hope all your schuran toys came with a nice mortgage...

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9852442#post9852442 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BigPerm1
So since no one else asked, when are you getting another octopus??? =)

No thanks, such wonderfull and intelligent creatures and yet only about a year or two to live. In my experienced, you bond with one and they require a lot more care and attention. It would just break my heart when their time goes and I don't want that to happen to me again. I never even thought of owning an Octopus, it was just a fluke, what are the odds eh? like winning a lottery or something.

:)

[sdf_beanhead]

Read through the thread and it was devastating to ready about your loses, but your great come back is amazing. I like the way you leveled the base of your rocks. Where is a good place to get Thorite from?

[trae]

I am amazed; the feeling was probably like a kid on Christmas.
Simply beautiful.

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9921014#post9921014 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sdf_beanhead
Read through the thread and it was devastating to ready about your loses, but your great come back is amazing. I like the way you leveled the base of your rocks. Where is a good place to get Thorite from?

Sorry I can't help you, i'm from Canada and got it from a local reefer. Do a search on RC and am sure you will find a link, good luck.

[Buddy Pine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9925850#post9925850 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by trae
I am amazed; the feeling was probably like a kid on Christmas.
Simply beautiful.

Thank you. I don't want to feel that way but I actually do.:D

[trae]

I was commenting on before the crash. Bad choice of words.
Glad to see you got it back up.You should post the comeback on your website.

[999sterling]

This is the thread that never ends.....it goes on and on my friends....:rollface:

This is too good a story to end! Your new setup is AWESOME buddy! Looks like your going to have yourself an coral forest in a year or two. Good luck!

[StoutLager]

As a previous post said, you need to take some precations to keep him in the tank, or you will soon find it on the floor. They are absolutely the smartest creatures. I had a baby one and no matter what I put over the tank, it can find a way out. It can fit thru any hole that is the size of its eyeball or larger. I evenutally put it in a plastic cage within the aquarium. It was amazing to watch it try every single combination and permutation of exit stategies. It would try the latch and door with each tenacle in turn, then 2 at a time, then push on opposite wall with 4 and try with 4, push on side walls, reach out and around from the outside and try the latch....simply fascinating.

[StoutLager]

The local aquarium has given up trying to keep octipus in captivity. They put chicken wire with large stones-it pushes them off, they tried plexiglass - it pushed it off, they tried everything and they are very strong....When snorkeling nearby, when I see one I can take the handle of the net and touch it, immediately a tenacle will come out and wrap around the handle and it will not let go and I cannot pull it free, as it has lodged itself between other rocks with the other seven.

[Opcn]

hard contact points really help, hinges and latches that the octo cannot get to.

[FFrankie]

Dude, so sorry for your loss. I caught this thread from another and just finished reading through it.
The new tank rocks! Keep holding your chin up. I look forward to seeing your new system grow.

[Big Brother]

wow this is probably the most amazing story ever. not only did the tank crash but it was HUGE and BEAUTIFUL. and you just came right back with a bigger tank. awesome dude. sorry for your loss too.

[Chad Vossen]

the crash was simply a blessing in disguise.

good to see the progress

[aquarius77]

WOW! I remember my first post was in this thread, i was nearly in tears reading about what happend. Now i came back and re read it all and i have got a HUGE smile on my face. Welcome Back better than ever man, i commend you. The new tank is awesome!

[Ki4msb]

It was quite funny how you said

I decided to sell my 180 system.
I could hear sad music

then you said u got a 270, lol

[JJ21]

make sure you have a tight lid...it would be a shame to have him go carpet surfing...also i think a good convo piece would be to put an old glass coke bottle in there and see if he will make it a home. Its amazing how they can fit themselves into such tiny places :)

[JJ21]

woah...soo srry man..didn't read past the first page...sry bout your loss

[JJ21]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8818063#post8818063 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Buddy Pine
It's been a while since i've posted, in return I really really appreciate who've responded and update everyone on where i stand. For those who i've neglected of not having a tank sitter, I did not have anyone access to in the beginning (ATO was one of the reason but accidentally failed). So I've decided to sell my 180 gallon system.


Removal of the 180 gallon system:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/fishroom-before-1.gif

New Miracles 270 gallon Strafire:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/270g-3.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/270g-1.gif

130 gallon sump:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/130g-sump.gif

Partial equipment:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/Equip-1.gif

Acquired frags, temporarily in sump:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/130g-sump2.gif
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/130g-sump3.gif

Newly acquired livestock: "CATFISH"
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/270g-5.gif



aww teh kitties are soo cute :)

[toastii_reef]

thats real cute

hey sorry about the whole thing-
it was beautful while it lasted- i was reading it and i was like OMG that is SOOOO cool and amazing- and then the crash and its like flop-

but thats and amazing tank you got there
--
i was thinking about this story today when i was playing with the octopus at the zoo- she loves to be played with

[FFrankie]

Thats awesome! i am so happy for you. I look forward to seeing your tank grow. Karma for being a trooper!

[YoitsArson]

he is awesome.

[saltyFISHscales]

Buddy Pine, sorry to see that loss... but awesome new set up!

[Leilani57]

so sorry about your loss. i am glad to hear you are sticking with it!

i was a volunteer at the stephen birch aquarium at the scripps institute of oceanography while i was in college and i took care of a small octopus there. they are very very smart creatures! we had to keep heavy books on top of the lid of the tank. when i would go to feed him, the second i took the book off the top of the lid, he would slowly sneak one tentacle to the top of the tank, kick the lid off, and try to escape while i was looking the other way. i know that one day he actually escaped for good (though i wasn't there that day)

i was telling this story to a marine biologist at an aquarium a couple weeks ago-- turns out their octopus was sneaking out (like the one at monterey bay aquarium) for late night "snacks" in the other tanks and then returning to his tank by morning. they found the one thing that worked to keep him from escaping -- ASTROTURF! They lined the top of his tank with it, and he won't touch it! so next time you have a really cool hitchiker, you can try this method to keep him in the tank.

[Nanz]

WOW!!.. That is awesome :)

[Nanz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7905847#post7905847 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Buddy Pine
Sadly to say, this past Sunday coming home from a 10 day family vacation to discover that my Reef Tank was out of power maybe for a week long. Everything was devastated (I don't know what worst I can say), everything was black and an unbearable strong gross smell. I went to the back room cautiously and one of the plastic tubing from my RO unit burst, spraying water all over until it short circuited some of the electricals and tripped two of the aquarium main breakers. Luckily nothing caught on fire, it just completely shut down the tank. All of my Fish, Clams and Octopus were completely decomposed and the Corals are wiped out. My 7 years of hard work with this 180 gallon Reef Tank just went down the drain in a matter of days. I did not have a tank sitter so I set up an Auto-Top-Off, the additonal plastic tubing that connected to the RO's main membrane had some weak spots on it and was the main cause. I was confident and so proud of myself with the set-up everything was running nicely, the auto-feeder and the the food for the Octo was all ready.

What a way to come home from a vacation, I would not wish this happen to anyone. What a bad feeling! I'm just a little messed up right now. Good bye everyone and good luck to all, thank you so much for all your compliments.

Manny.


I posted too quick without reading all the posts. Your octopus was so cool I had such an urgency to post.. I'm sorry for your loss :(

[Beaner3]

What a great thread!! I'm curious as to what kind of contingency plan you have for your next vacation, I get nervous about my 180 even if I just leave for the weekend. I can't imagine how crushed you were when you got home, terrible loss of life. Did you fill the new display with captive raised? I think it's great that you stuck with it as well, after such a devastating loss. I like your sump layout too.

[coolwaters]

dude i want one...how much are tho guys?

and whats like the smallest octo u can buy???

[beaupierce]

Glad to see you are back and stronger than ever! Your tank looks great. Put up some new pics as everything "grows up"

[NbMaxx13]

Tagging along ...

I read from page one .. got to the crash and my heart dropped... I could not imagine being on such a high and feeling that ... Sorry for all of your losses..and all of your hard work ...

I am inspired by your turn around here ... Please keep us updated ... had to revive this thread...

[Jambi]

I came home from vacation with my powerhead un-attached from the wall, spraying water into the light system, and trickeling down into the surge protector. It must have happened moments before I entered the door, because it was on fire. The heater was shattered from being turned on out of water. I reached into the tank to grab the powerhead and pull it out (I couldnt touch the outlets) and I was electricuted. Lost everything, fish, corals, LR, lights, eh.

Good for you for starting up again its such a great hobby, not worth giving up for any amount of loss. Good luck, I cant wait to see your tank after its matured a little. Especially after seeing how great your previous tank was. On the positive side, you did get an extra 90 gallons on your new tank.

Please keep us updated

~Matt

[melev]

Matt, you sound like you're lucky to be alive. Good thing you got home when you did.

[Buddy Pine]

Thanks everyone, I still deeply appreciate your interest and will gladly update you upon your request. It's funny though that it's been a year since that tank accident happened and I was supposed to be in Mexico this week but cancelled due to Hurricane Dean and just recently set up the ATO again. But I planned to have an experienced tank sitter at that time, maybe it was a good thing my vacation was cancelled.? :mixed:

This is almost 8 months, the SPS are just starting to intensify. I had to move my Zoas and Palys into the sump cause the Goldspotted Rabiitfish I added a couple months ago started to munch on them and also taught the Magnificent Foxface to eat it as well. I got rid of the Goldspotted but left the Magnificent under surveiliance.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h220/manny240Z/270-8-23-07-fts.gif

[fisheebill]

the tank is looking great!

[NbMaxx13]

awesome... Yeah I think finding someone to watch the tanks is a good idea... We took a trip to Baltimore last month and one of the local reefers was nice enough to keep an eys on our tanks..He fed the cat too ...very nice of him =0)

[Jambi]

future tank of the month!

[lillurker]

how big would you say he is. Real nice looking octopus, btw.

[Pinecone_Jeff]

Buddy Pine, I lost my 37 gal over a year ago and I've been having a really tough time trying to come back to reefing. But I've been really thinking about starting up again and after seeing reading this thread, I'm absolutely going to be coming back to reefing.

This time I'm gonna spend a little more money and get a back up power generator, buy an RO/DI system, a chiller, and decent test kits. I'm not gonna let what happened to my old tank happen again. We had a power outtage early one day but nobody was home. By the time we got home that night, my anemone had died and started fouling the water. The tank had a slow death over the next few weeks even with water changes. I just gave up after that.

But I think I'm ready to get back on the horse and give reef'n another go at it. :) Thanks for the inspiration!

[NbMaxx13]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10727558#post10727558 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pinecone_Jeff
Buddy Pine, I lost my 37 gal over a year ago and I've been having a really tough time trying to come back to reefing. But I've been really thinking about starting up again and after seeing reading this thread, I'm absolutely going to be coming back to reefing.

This time I'm gonna spend a little more money and get a back up power generator, buy an RO/DI system, a chiller, and decent test kits. I'm not gonna let what happened to my old tank happen again. We had a power outtage early one day but nobody was home. By the time we got home that night, my anemone had died and started fouling the water. The tank had a slow death over the next few weeks even with water changes. I just gave up after that.

But I think I'm ready to get back on the horse and give reef'n another go at it. :) Thanks for the inspiration!

That is good to hear ... And I think you are doing the right thing to spend a little more time and money in the beginning to make sure things work out down the line...

[Corndork2]

Keep truckin man. Very impressive

[ghcpa9]

talk about a rebound! great work :)

[rmlee]

I remember reading this thread many months ago and feeling devastated even though I didn't (and still don't) have a tank yet.
I'd really like to try my luck someday but I just don't know if I have the patience. I don't even have any FW experience.

Anyways, I just wanted to say your new tank is looking great!

Best of luck to you and looking forward to watching the progression. :)

[yeahcheetah]

This is most impressive thread I have even seen!

[kar93]

http://www.warbabiesbr.com/id55.htm

here was website that has some great pictures of this octopus you have to scrool through the pictures though

[95accord]

way too cool!!!!!! i give it 3 thumbs up!

[mkbtank]

Very nice. This thread was emotionally draining. Thank goodness it has gotten great again. Congratulations on your perserverance. super nice tank. keep the updates coming every so often

[hmello@bermexin]

Impressive thread from beginning to now. Tagged for future updates. New tank is really filling in nicely.

[NYIntensity]

Buddy,

Congrats on the new setup. I couldn't help but chuckle when I saw comments asking how much or if you'd sell them the octopus, obviously using the quick reply box.

[Saiyan]

Just found this thread. Very nice to see that you were able to turn your misfortune around and didn't bail on the hobby. I wish you the best on your current setup.

[Toygrr]

I cought this link off Melevs site, that is the most spectacular thing ive seen. Never heard of such a thing, your a lucky one ;)

Give him a good home, and a top!(i saw this thing where they climbed out of the tanks, and into the feeding tanks at an aquarium :shock:, college, or something..)

[Animal Mother]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11529241#post11529241 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toygrr
I cought this link off Melevs site, that is the most spectacular thing ive seen. Never heard of such a thing, your a lucky one ;)

Give him a good home, and a top!(i saw this thing where they climbed out of the tanks, and into the feeding tanks at an aquarium :shock:, college, or something..)

:rolleyes: I know the thread's like 20 something pages long, but you only had to read to the 3rd page of the thread to see that not only does he no longer have the octopus but his system had to be pretty much completely scrapped.

[Toygrr]

That seriously sucks, I havn't had time to read through the entire thing, but its bookmarked, so ill come some other time. That makes me sad :*( It was a cool creature though, so sorry things didn't work out. :(