Swami’s Tidepool Biotype - Near Future!

[The Masked Shadow]

I would really like to make a saltwater bio type of a beach near me called Swami’s. Swami’s has tidepools, and it is filled with life. I want to create a biotype of the tidepools there. Unfortunately, you are unable to collect animals, or even rocks at swamis, so that leaves me looking for the most common fish in Swami’s tidepools. So this is the stock that I want:

5 Tidepool Sculpins
A few Kelp or Shore crabs.
Multiple periwinkle snails
1 Sunburst Anemones
Derby Bryozoan
1 Sand Dollar
Some kind of small nudibranch - Hopkins rose, Spanish shawl, something like that
Volcano or Rough Limpet
A few broken-back shrimp
A few small kelp leaves
Sea Lettuce
Some kind of small plants
2 Chitons
Some Scavenging Isopods


So, here are my questions. Will a 20-30g tank be good for all of this? What salinity is normal for tidepools? How much will this all cost? Do I need a chiller?
Do I need to cycle the tank, or can I use media from my freshwater tanks?Any And all information is useful.

Thanks for reading!

 

[Rocksor]

I know of someone who converted from freshwater to brakish (lower than ocean salinity). It took quite a bit of time to get the cycle started again since salt cause the ammonia eating bacteria to loss efficiency or hibernate as it got used to salinity.

Influence of rate of salinity increase on nitrifying biofilms

A strategy for rapid increase in salinity with minimal impact on nitrification is important for ammonia removal from saline effluents, especially in r…

www.sciencedirect.com

So yes you need to cycle the tank even if you were to use media from another tank. There's no instant cycle.

 

[xenacanth9]

Cool idea

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Cool idea

Thanks.

I know of someone who converted from freshwater to brakish (lower than ocean salinity). It took quite a bit of time to get the cycle started again since salt cause the ammonia eating bacteria to loss efficiency or hibernate as it got used to salinity.

Influence of rate of salinity increase on nitrifying biofilms

A strategy for rapid increase in salinity with minimal impact on nitrification is important for ammonia removal from saline effluents, especially in r…

www.sciencedirect.com

So yes you need to cycle the tank even if you were to use media from another tank. There's no instant cycle.

Cycling isn’t much of a problem then, unless it is different with saltwater tanks.

My main question, if anybody knows, Is if I am aloud to take live animals or plants from tidepools, or if it is legal to take certain animals. Are there any loopholes?

 

[Rocksor]

Thanks.


Cycling isn’t much of a problem then, unless it is different with saltwater tanks.

My main question, if anybody knows, Is if I am aloud to take live animals or plants from tidepools, or if it is legal to take certain animals. Are there any loopholes?

California states you cannot transport live wild animals from its "home" location to another location (alive). You have to have a permit.

Restricted Species Laws and Regulations DFW 1312d

You also need permission for plants not on your property

California Laws Protecting Native Plants

The Department of Fish and Wildlife manages California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.

wildlife.ca.gov

 

[The Masked Shadow]

California states you cannot transport live wild animals from its "home" location to another location (alive). You have to have a permit.

Restricted Species Laws and Regulations DFW 1312d

You also need permission for plants not on your property

California Laws Protecting Native Plants

The Department of Fish and Wildlife manages California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.

wildlife.ca.gov

Oh. Thats great. Anyone happen to know how to apply for a permit, or if I can?

 

[Rocksor]

Oh. Thats great. Anyone happen to know how to apply for a permit, or if I can?

Doubtful that you can, exceptions are made for schools, zoos, etc, not for personal use.

 

[Deadeye]

Sand dollars are supposedly very hard to keep alive, and when echinoderms die it can be devastating for a tank.

 

[The Masked Shadow]

Sand dollars are supposedly very hard to keep alive, and when echinoderms die it can be devastating for a tank.

Oh. Well it will still be impossible to get these fish, unless my mom can pull some strings with her biology friends and try and get me a permit.

 

[robmcd]

Holy crap I am having a De Ja Vu moment here......