Cephalopod Tank Cover Question

Bore-Punch · 02/28/2011, 12:35 AM

Im building my own tanks and was thinking of boxing in some egg crate to make the cover for my cephalopod tank. My question is how small a hole will a cephalopod escape through? would egg crate be small enough? Species im looking at is O. briareus or O. vulgaris.

andrewkw · 02/28/2011, 05:26 AM

They can fit through anything smaller then their beak. Unless you're getting a big one they can probably fit through the eggcreate.

Try the mesh at bulk reef supply it's much smaller.

Bore-Punch · 02/28/2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewkw

They can fit through anything smaller then their beak. Unless you're getting a big one they can probably fit through the eggcreate.

Try the mesh at bulk reef supply it's much smaller.

the small 1/4 in screen netting? This may be a dumb question but would an Octopus entangle himself in that while exploring, possibly cutting himself?

bohannbj · 03/01/2011, 04:56 PM

I use plate glass. Remember you can't seal the netting on the top, so it gets difficult to get a tight fit with enough weight.

Octoman · 03/04/2011, 07:25 AM

They're pretty good squirters and get bored easily, so an open material may invite disaster. If you can get your hands on some twin-wall polycarbonate (used for greenhouses), that works great for making lids. Doesn't flex like acrylic over time and doesn't shatter like glass.

Lmecher · 03/04/2011, 08:43 AM

Material of choice is Lexon. (it is expensive or you can use a thicker Plexiglas. We glue support strips to keep it from warping) Because you will be in and out often, I would not use glass. The largest solid part of an octopuses body is the cartilage between the eyes. 1/4 inch is large enough for a smaller octopus to fit through. I would strongly suggest a solid cover, my O. vulgaris could hit the ceiling with his water cannon. Your cover should also be fastened to the aquarium top so the octopus cannot push it up, they are very strong. Your design will depends on the tank itself. You could get fancy or go simple. I have sliding locks that screw on tight but some people use duct tape. What ever works for you.

Bore-Punch · 03/05/2011, 04:03 PM

Thanks for all the advice guys this has been helpful, how do you guys/gals work your return plumbing? simple bulkhead or do you have a hole in the top with your return fitting snugly in?

02/28/2011, 12:35 AM	#1
Bore-Punch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 73	Cephalopod Tank Cover Question Im building my own tanks and was thinking of boxing in some egg crate to make the cover for my cephalopod tank. My question is how small a hole will a cephalopod escape through? would egg crate be small enough? Species im looking at is O. briareus or O. vulgaris. __________________ UH-1N Huey Pilot USMC callsign "Bore-Punch" 220gal Reef DT, 30 gal benthic tank, 95 gal sump. Waiting on 2 more 75gal DTs to tie into the system.

03/01/2011, 04:56 PM	#4
bohannbj Fight the Pinkertons Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Grundy, VA Posts: 142	I use plate glass. Remember you can't seal the netting on the top, so it gets difficult to get a tight fit with enough weight. __________________ Try giving constructive advise and answering questions for a change instead of preaching. If you don't have anything to help someone succeed besides "quit or give up" then don't post. Beware of the forum Moo Moo ladies, they can't be reasoned with. Current Tank Info: 30+29+75+40+20+20+75+40=329

03/05/2011, 04:03 PM	#7
Bore-Punch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 73	Thanks for all the advice guys this has been helpful, how do you guys/gals work your return plumbing? simple bulkhead or do you have a hole in the top with your return fitting snugly in? __________________ UH-1N Huey Pilot USMC callsign "Bore-Punch" 220gal Reef DT, 30 gal benthic tank, 95 gal sump. Waiting on 2 more 75gal DTs to tie into the system.

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02/28/2011, 05:26 AM	#2
andrewkw Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: mississauga Posts: 758	They can fit through anything smaller then their beak. Unless you're getting a big one they can probably fit through the eggcreate. Try the mesh at bulk reef supply it's much smaller.

03/04/2011, 07:25 AM	#5
Octoman Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: West Haven, CT Posts: 120	They're pretty good squirters and get bored easily, so an open material may invite disaster. If you can get your hands on some twin-wall polycarbonate (used for greenhouses), that works great for making lids. Doesn't flex like acrylic over time and doesn't shatter like glass.

03/04/2011, 08:43 AM	#6
Lmecher Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,329	Material of choice is Lexon. (it is expensive or you can use a thicker Plexiglas. We glue support strips to keep it from warping) Because you will be in and out often, I would not use glass. The largest solid part of an octopuses body is the cartilage between the eyes. 1/4 inch is large enough for a smaller octopus to fit through. I would strongly suggest a solid cover, my O. vulgaris could hit the ceiling with his water cannon. Your cover should also be fastened to the aquarium top so the octopus cannot push it up, they are very strong. Your design will depends on the tank itself. You could get fancy or go simple. I have sliding locks that screw on tight but some people use duct tape. What ever works for you.