Jellyfish for beginners

[keddre]

I know jellyfish are for experts but I love them and want to try anyway. I was looking for anyone who has experience. I can't find much on information online so was looking here. I have a ten gallon and know how to make saltwater for my hermit crabs with a hydrometer. I was worried mainly about flow. They need to stay in the middle and I'm not sure how to go about this. Any suggestions?

 

[melypr1985]

I'm not an expert either, but I would think 10 gallons is too small for jellyfish. Also I do know they do well with a circular tank and a circular flow. They can be damaged if they run into the tank walls. People make it work with rectangular or square tanks sometimes, but there just aren't enough online to really get a read on what works best with those.

That said, I think jellyfish are so cool and you hardly ever see them! I hope you do a jellyfish tank and I hope you share it with all of us!

 

[redfishbluefish]

I am fascinated by jellyfish, but the turn-off for me is that they don't live long. Similar to Cuttlefish, which I think is the most fascinating saltwater creature, they just don't live very long. I just find it tough to spend all that time and effort for something that might live a year, if your lucky. No jellyfish for me.

Best of luck....please start a post if you get this up and running.....I'm curious.

 

[Oscaror]

Here's a blog where I got all of my info, it has almost everything you need to know about them, and the guy who made the blog has a site called the jellyfish werehouse which sells jellies (moon jellyfish are good for beginners) and tanks for them, there's brand named ones which aren't the best, but there's a less attractive, more functional one which he makes himself that you can buy. http://raisingpetjellyfish.blogspot.ca/

 

[eatbreakfast]

Upside down jellies are pretty easy and don't need to be in the middle, in fact they prefer to stay on the sand. I think foxy saltwater tropicals has them.

 

[keddre]

Thank you everyone for your comments. Upside down jellyfish seem easier but I really want something that "swim" more often.
My current idea (will take time to get the money) is to get eight pumps and situate them in a 55 gallon aimed to make a oval-like water flow. I want to get some that have a small water flow in order to keep the current gentle. Thoughts?
Until then however, I will do more research on jellyfish in the wild

 

[Oscaror]

That's a bad idea, they don't just need to be int he middle, they need to be spinning in a circle, around the tank, read the blog I linked you to, it has everything you need to know.
The pumps could also suck in the jellies.

 

[M3ace9]

Theres a new tank that just came out make specifically for jellyfish. Try searching for it. Its pretty neat, its a circular tank with different colored LEDs

 

[keddre]

Oscaror I will draw out a diagram do you can see what I mean. I didn't think about that flaw with sucking in though, looks like it's back to the drawing board.
M3ace9 I saw those but really want my own that will provide more room for them and also I want to try to find out what changes can be made so that they survive for more than a year

 

[Oscaror]

Okay, maybe I don't fully understand what you mean. Here's one big rule though, no uncovered pumps, the jellies shouldn't have access the the pumps, a fine mesh 1" away from the pumps blocking them is good to have. Still look up "kreisel system", it's the best thing for jellies, it makes a cyclone for them that keeps them floating in circles.

 

[keddre]

I looked at that but I want to utilize the most space for my future jellyfish. Another, less expensive idea is to through a bubble curtain down the middle, width wise. After that I will fill with water and test with the cheapest water balloons I can to mock the delicacy of jellyfish (stole the testing idea off a tv show)

 

[keddre]

Here is my first idea with the pumps. This is a rude sketch but gets the idea. The pumps will be angled do that they make and oval/rectangle around the aquarium to move the jelly. To prevent suction in and to assist with rounding the tank the pumps will be caged in with curved mesh that is situated one inch away from the pump. As the jelly approaches the pump/end of aquarium it will hit the mesh and gently roll around. Thoughts?

The main problem I see is energy consumption. All those pumps will run up the bill

 

[Oscaror]

not good idea. The jellies will get sucked into the strongest part of the flow and go to the sides, and get sucked into the mesh. If you're gonna resort to pumps (which is wayy more expensive and dangerous than a kreisel system) use a gyre for the cyclone effect, keep it behind a mesh wall that curves towards it. Also you need the tank to be round, or octogonnal at least, jellies get stuck n corners

 

[Oscaror]

The cheaper and safer kreisel system:

 

[melypr1985]

also, banging into your mesh walls every time they come to a corner will damage them. +1 for the octagonal or cylindrical tank.

 

[mr.reeferman]

just bought a jelly but was told it will only live ten days is this true or is there a way to prolong life ?

 

[Oscaror]

just bought a jelly but was told it will only live ten days is this true or is there a way to prolong life ?

Not at all true, and if you know this little about them though, you shouldn't have them. They're very delicate and you need to do lots of research.

 

[d2mini]

I looked at that but I want to utilize the most space for my future jellyfish.

Huh?
If you really want to keep jellyfish (alive) use the advice being given to you.

 

[Oscaror]

I can tell you're enthusiastic and want to come up with your own ideas, but the best ideas already exist, and you've been given them, the advice I'm giving you and the blog i sent you is the best way you'll be able to enjoy your jellyfish for their full life span, they're beautiful, delicate animals and have to be handled professionally.

 

[saltyphish]

+1 to what Oscaror is saying. Jellys damage themselves in too much current and bumping into walls, corners, and equipment. This ad vice is essential to jellyfish keeping.