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New to Forum and Opae keeping!

PostPosted:05 Nov 2019 06:31
by Sentinel_Hans
Like the title says, I'm new to both the forum and to Opae keeping in general. Been in the fish/reptile keeping hobby for some time so I have experience with exotic animals. I really got interested in Opae Ula on my latest trip to Hawaii back in April, and I've been looking at setting up a tank since then. I've already read through the starting guides on the forum, and with previous aquarium keeping experience I feel confident in my ability to set up a halfway decent tank.

All I have so far in terms of a setup is an Ikea BEGÄRLIG vase (not sure the exact volume, but I'd guess around 4-5 gallons) and a 40w LED desk lamp just above it. I'd love to hear recommendations on heaters, LED bulbs, and tank decor from people experienced with these awesome little shrimp!

Re: New to Forum and Opae keeping!

PostPosted:05 Nov 2019 14:12
by Algae In Space
Ahoy!

The vase is looking cool. That's about 8 liters if 19 cm x 29 cm. No heater needed if temps don't drop beyond comfy levels IMHO. Sand, coral gravel and lava rock is always a good idea. Or you could go just full blown lava and even use lava as "substrate" :smile:

And you need snails bro. Always snails!

PS: Please make sure to fill out my questionnaire if you have completed the tank.

Re: New to Forum and Opae keeping!

PostPosted:05 Nov 2019 20:34
by Sentinel_Hans
Algae In Space wrote: 05 Nov 2019 14:12 Ahoy!

The vase is looking cool. That's about 8 liters if 19 cm x 29 cm. No heater needed if temps don't drop beyond comfy levels IMHO. Sand, coral gravel and lava rock is always a good idea. Or you could go just full blown lava and even use lava as "substrate" :smile:

And you need snails bro. Always snails!

PS: Please make sure to fill out my questionnaire if you have completed the tank.
Definitely gonna need a heater, I live in British Columbia Canada and it’s been known to get down to -30 C where I live. I’m thinking of a crushed coral base substrate and lots of lava rock stacked in a slope against the back. What kind of snails should I go for? I’ve got MTS in my freshwater tanks, and I’ve heard they can be acclimated to brackish conditions, but they breed like rabbits and I’d like something new anyways.

Re: New to Forum and Opae keeping!

PostPosted:05 Nov 2019 21:04
by Algae In Space
- 30 huh! guess it's time for a heater then. I live in Austria and winters aren't what they used to be... rather warm here.
Anyway: Nerites is the way to go.
Check out this for example.

Re: New to Forum and Opae keeping!

PostPosted:06 Nov 2019 03:41
by opae ula related
Sentinel_Hans wrote:Like the title says, I'm new to both the forum and to Opae keeping in general. Been in the fish/reptile keeping hobby for some time so I have experience with exotic animals. I really got interested in Opae Ula on my latest trip to Hawaii back in April, and I've been looking at setting up a tank since then. I've already read through the starting guides on the forum, and with previous aquarium keeping experience I feel confident in my ability to set up a halfway decent tank.

All I have so far in terms of a setup is an Ikea BEGÄRLIG vase (not sure the exact volume, but I'd guess around 4-5 gallons) and a 40w LED desk lamp just above it. I'd love to hear recommendations on heaters, LED bulbs, and tank decor from people experienced with these awesome little shrimp!
Welcome. Which island? You saw Opae Ula?

Re: New to Forum and Opae keeping!

PostPosted:06 Nov 2019 04:53
by Sentinel_Hans
opae ula related wrote: 06 Nov 2019 03:41 Welcome. Which island? You saw Opae Ula?
I went to the island of Hawaii this last time, but I’ve also been to Maui many times in the past. There were quite a few anchialine pools along the beach between our condo and the Waikoloa Hilton. Most of the pools had been taken over by invasive species, but one or two still had Opae Ula in them.

Re: New to Forum and Opae keeping!

PostPosted:06 Nov 2019 06:07
by odin
Welcome to the forum! -30!? Wow you really will need a heater lol, if you go down the nerite snail route you will need a lid to the container as they like to move above the water line and out of your tank and onto the floor where they dry out and well.. you know the rest :(

If you need any help just post away here and we will help.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Re: New to Forum and Opae keeping!

PostPosted:06 Nov 2019 18:24
by opae ula related
Sentinel_Hans wrote:
opae ula related wrote: 06 Nov 2019 03:41 Welcome. Which island? You saw Opae Ula?
I went to the island of Hawaii this last time, but I’ve also been to Maui many times in the past. There were quite a few anchialine pools along the beach between our condo and the Waikoloa Hilton. Most of the pools had been taken over by invasive species, but one or two still had Opae Ula in them.
I was also there early April. Ha. I stayed their too and didnt even know their was OP there! Ha. You take a pic?.Image

Re: New to Forum and Opae keeping!

PostPosted:06 Nov 2019 20:39
by Sentinel_Hans
opae ula related wrote: 06 Nov 2019 18:24
Sentinel_Hans wrote:
opae ula related wrote: 06 Nov 2019 03:41 Welcome. Which island? You saw Opae Ula?
I went to the island of Hawaii this last time, but I’ve also been to Maui many times in the past. There were quite a few anchialine pools along the beach between our condo and the Waikoloa Hilton. Most of the pools had been taken over by invasive species, but one or two still had Opae Ula in them.
I was also there early April. Ha. I stayed their too and didnt even know their was OP there! Ha. You take a pic?.Image
Only of the invaded pools unfortunately. Couldn’t get close enough to the preserved ones to get a pic of the Opae :dead: