Southern California Tide Pool Tank

Hi all.... I live in San Diego and I've been keeping tropical saltwater fish and reef tanks for many years. I would like to start a small tide pool tank, it would be fun for my kids to collect animals and watch them. My question - Will I need a chiller on a 15 gal tank with tide pool species like the aggregate anemone especially and any other things I can find at low tide? I read somewhere on this site that tide pool species are very temperature resistant and my house temp stays in the low 70's. I would like to incorporate some macro algae and was thinking of using some LED spot lights because of their low temp output. Any info from seasoned temperate veterans please advise.

Thank you.

Here is what I was referring to that I read on this site .........

http://www.temperatereef.forumotion.com/Setting-Up-a-Temperate-Marine-Aquarium-h7.htm

Simple Steps to Setting Up A Temperate Aquarium



Fill tank halfway with cold marine water - Cleaned calcium based rock was used
Temperature of water was 70˚Fahrenheit- Native rock was also used



Fill tank all the way adding the substrate and then rocks (reverse also works, just make sure structures are stable). Macro algae was then added. Shortly after invertebrates. Filtration used was a HOB (hang on back) filter designed for a 10 gallon aquarium (aquarium used was 7 US gallons). Powerhead was added for water circulation. No chiller was incorporated as this aquarium contained tide pool marine life that is used to higher temperatures and could be adapted to warmer water.

If I were you I would wait until later on tonight when Pufferfreak is online. He can help you a lot more than I can. With that being said however, I beleive that you *should* be able to set up a tidepool tank without a chiller.

^ yeah

Hey, I'm from San Diego too!!

First of all, to do it legally, you'll need a collectors permit to do ANY TYPE OF COLLECTING! The last thing you want is a HEFTY FINE. You'll need to contact the CDFG for info regarding a permit. If you decide to do it sans a permit, becareful where you do it so you don't get caught.

I've been wanting a native tank for a while now, I just haven't gotten off of my lazy butt and did anything about it. I don't know enough to give you an educated answer to your question regarding a chiller, but it does get HOT for some long stretches in San Diego and you might need one during those times.

I'd advise against illegal collecting. Stuff like that generally doesn't go down too well for the accused (just by looking at your tank, they'll be able to tell whether or not you collected anything). I say just get the permit as they aren't too expensive, and it's probably better to pay the $50-100 or whatever it is rather than having to sneak around the water and run the risk of a fine (which will most definately require you to pay more money than the cost of the permit).

^But that's just my opinion. I don't know how strict or inforced your laws are.

Hey! You shouldn't need a chiller for the nems, crabs, etc. The only thing with the macros is that they need a really really strong current. I am not sure how you could replicate that in such a small tank. You could always do a test with it though. Most people in this hobby are first generation reefers.

As far as getting a permit goes....i will admit that during my first tank i was completely unaware of legal issues. However it shouldn't that hard to acquire a permit. Also if you chose to do it incognito be careful to not get caught and absolutely do not collect from reserves, especially that nice one over by Swamis. It is clearly stated that doing so is illegal anyways. However there aren't any signs at other beaches saying so....just saying. But don't bring me into your legal issues if you get some .

Pinoyfisher wrote:you'll need a collectors permit to do ANY TYPE OF COLLECTING!

You might be able to get a scientific collection permit if you are affiliated with a school, but for 99.9% of people, the only "permit" available is a Sportfishing License. With that you can not tank any fish alive, but there is a list of specific things that you can take from within 1000 feet of shore (tide pools). The list is given in the "Invertebrates" section of the Sportfishing Regulations booklet (Section 29.05):
"...the following may be taken: red abalone, limpets, moon snails, turban snails, chiones, clams, cockles, mussels, rock scallops, native oysters, octopuses, squid, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, sand dollars, sea urchins and worms..."

(you may not take abalone south of San Francisco bay, so for get abalone in San Diego)

That's all you can legally take from tide pools without a special permit (very difficult to get). You need to stay out of MPA (marine protected areas) all of which are listed in the Sportfishing Regulations book. You can see maps here:
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/maps.asp
(note that the tidepools at Cardiff State Beach are NOT within the boundaries of the San Elijo Lagoon State Marine Park - so you can collect there. Also, the norther half of the tidepool area north of Scripps pier is outside the MPA)

Farther than 1000 feet from shore you can take anything you want, except a few protected things (but still no live fish). There are size limits on lobster, and some crabs, but that is about it.

Most people say that it is illegal to take anything (wrong) or that you need a "marine aquaria collector's permit" (wrong - that's only needed if you want to sell what you collect in the pet trade). I'm only giving a quick overview here, so be sure to read the sportfishing regulations thoroughly yourself. You may not sell or trade anything that you collect (but you may give it away for free).

Even though many things are legal to take, you may still be harassed while collecting by people who think that it is illegal (or should be!). You could even get a ticket from an uninformed or over-reaching park ranger or DFG warden, so it is still best to be discrete.

sardine wrote:...Will I need a chiller on a 15 gal tank with tide pool species like the aggregate anemone especially and any other things I can find at low tide? I read somewhere on this site that tide pool species are very temperature resistant and my house temp stays in the low 70's.

Tidepool animals can take high temps, at least for short periods of time. You'll probably get away with not using a chiller, especially if you limit the amount of heat you add to the water with lights and pumps. If you set a fan to blow on the water you can increase evaporation which will cool the tank two or three degrees, but you'll need to often add RO/DI water to replace what evaporates.

Thanks for your input C-Rad, since i know you are so well versed in the legal side of the matter.