Inventory of Fish in 15,000 gallon tank the Mini Mega and new Pictures (Update)

[arapaimag]

Inventory of Fish in 15k the Mini Mega and new Pictures (Update)

I always intended to have mid sized/community fish in my 15,000 gallon. It has worked out pretty well most of the time. The tank has had very few problems. The fish in the tank at present are listed at the bottom of this article and are listed by date bought, number in the tank, scientific name, common name, source, location of source, size now, size when acquired

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/mfkarticle/15kfish/HPIM0400.JPG

Fish Moved

I did move a few fish over the years due to problems they had as community fish or size problems.

@1 Stingrays moved: The male leopoldi (Potamotrygon motoro) stingray nearly killed his breeding partner (Potamotrygon motoro) after she had young and I removed her to an 800g to recover. This was done 2 times both times former friends swam in the tank with large nets (Wayne Davey and Wei Hing Lam) to catch her.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/mfkarticle/15kfish/HPIM0373.JPG

@2. 5 Niger catfish (Pseudodoras niger) moved to 52k because the tank was getting too crowded and they were all 2 feet or longer.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/mfkarticle/15kfish/HPIM0394.JPG

@3. 6 Imperial or Emperor shark (Panagasius sanitswongi) were starting to wolf down my cichlids (Everything under 12") eventually one of the choked to death on a 13" Black Belt cichlid. When famed explorer/wholesaler Oliver Lucanus (Owner of Below Water in Montreal) later visited with a British Nature show producer. Oliver went into the tank when I reduced the water level to 2 feet and caught the Nigers and the 6 remaining sharks.

@4. Alligator gar (Lepisosteus spatula) was removed by me with a long poled net while taking down a 14" clarias (Clarias batrachus). The Clarias was regurgitated and after 4 months rehab survived and is back in the 15k again. The gar now resides in a 500g with a 3 foot lungfish (Protopterus annectens). I have taken both of them outside for the summers and placed them in a 16 foot by 8 foot by 2 1/2 foot high pond.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/mfkarticle/15kfish/HPIM0357.JPG

Crowding Problems

Even with such a large volume of water I am experiencing crowding problems due to the growth of many of the fish creating a crowding problem just due to growth not addition of fish. In 1998 I ordered a large number of Brycon melanopterus wanting a school of fast swimming fish growing about 10 to 12" long. Instead I received in a batch of 36 fish only 2 Brycon melanopterus and a mix of 34 Brycon falcatus and Brycon brevicauda which have grown between 20 and 24". So I've got to remove a few out of the tank this summer. The Goramy (also called The Gouramie and Giant Gouramie) are slowly reaching size. The pink tailed barb Leptobarbus hoeveni have reached impressive 24". The various arowanas are all growing at various rates the largest about 36". Although my stingray has helped reduce the population he now has a problem catching any of the fish remaining because they are smart to him.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/mfkarticle/15kfish/HPIM0406.JPG

Disease

No disease except for hole in the head on 3 old cichlids which happens often with Oscars in any size tank..

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/mfkarticle/15kfish/HPIM0349.JPG


Feeding

I feed only once a week on average. The amount fed is very large to make sure all the fish get a good amount each. I feed 1 pound of Flake Food, 3 pounds of floating pellets, 4 pounds of sinking pellets, 6 to 11 pounds of thawed lake smelt,whitefish,mackeral or lake trout, 2 pounds of cat or dog pellets, some fruit & veggies. I keep birds as well so when I'm preparing their food I also take a bit out for the fish. The bird food consists of thawed mixed veggies beans, carrots, peas, and corn. The fruit consists of grapes, diced apple, diced cantaloupe, pears and diced banana. One note here is any cut outs from the fruit are fed to my superworms and the skins of the cantaloupe are fed to my baby bristlenose plecos.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/mfkarticle/15kfish/HPIM0403.JPG

Filtration & Water Changes

I use a 600 gallon sand filter on a manual basis. Most often not at all but always after a heavy feeding. I also use an airstone all the time and recently added a second airstone. They operate from the bottom of the tank (6 feet deep). I utilize large water changes (up to 4,000 gallons a week to keep the water clean. The tank has 4 swimming pool floor drains that advance to the water to the filter. I use up to 4,000 gallon weekly water changes to keep the tank clean

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/mfkarticle/15kfish/HPIM0353.JPG

Heating

I use two large oil fired water heaters that keep the tank heated. One heats new cool water coming to the tank. The other is in a loop using existing water. I keep the tank in the 70 to 75 degree range.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/mfkarticle/15kfish/HPIM0362.JPG


Lighting

I use natural light from a window on one side of the tank. I installed a glass panel in the concrete wall on one side of the tank abutting the existing window which is 4 feet by 3 feet. I originally also installed 3 sodium lights and 6 four foot 2 bulb florescent lights. At present I only use 2 of the 2 bulb florescent lights because I find the fish are more comfortable when the lighting is not bright.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/mfkarticle/15kfish/HPIM0354.JPG

Regretful Deaths

@1. I most regret losing a tarpon (megalops atlanticus) that I had for 7 years. He was 36 inches long when he died. I was watching as he jumped out of the water and when he landed he started spiraling and died in seconds. The tank has 2 inch thick insulation across the entire top about 2 feet above the water level. If he hit the insulation he couldn't get hurt.

@2.I lost a 36" silver arowana when a friend who had been looking through an access door forgot to lock the door and a while later the arowana jumped out and eventually died.

The Inventory (click image to enlarge)


http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/mfkarticle/15kfish/stock-2-800.jpg


DO YOU want to see 61 more pictures of the 15,000 click on this link
Inventory of Fish in 15,000 gallon tank Gallery (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/734)

[DyaniBGud]

Simply splendid!

[mcblack]

monsters! you really feed a lot even though its only once a week, isn't there aggression during feeding time? do every fish in your mega tank eats during feeding time? where do you throw in the food to the tank?

[toxicfish]

That is alot of food:WHOA:

[arapaimag]

monsters! you really feed a lot even though its only once a week, isn't there aggression during feeding time? do every fish in your mega tank eats during feeding time? where do you throw in the food to the tank?

The tank is 28 feet long and I put the food in at 3 different locations(feeding windows, some of which are 3 feet by 2 feet) which helps reduce the frenzy at feeding time. All the fish eat at feeding time. It takes 30 minutes to feed the tank.

[goldclownknife]

Seems like an awesome tank. You say the tank is 6 feet deep and 28 feet long, I was curious how long is the tank? Also what did you make the tank out of?

[piscavore pisces]

man that tank is amazing. im lovin your dovii. hes a beast

[Cyclop3000]

Arapaimag, you mention Oliver Lucanus (Owner of Below Water in Montreal), and I have heard his name before. Looked at his website but did not grasp what he was doing exactly...is he only an explorator/photograph or does he sell fish? I am asking because I live in Montreal, and I have a hard time getting very specific fish for my tanks.

Maybe you can give me a hint?

Thanks!

[The TRUST]

I seriously bow down to you oh Great ONE!

[hemiboo]

you are a monster f^@#ing fish keeper :grinno: :grinyes: :naughty: :headbang2 :clap :clap :clap :clap

[jenBLKAROWANA]

:WHOA: :WHOA: :WHOA: :WHOA:
What an amazing tank! I just love it!
:mwave:


Jen ;)

[Hakon]

Amazing. It's some really big ones in there! Thanks for sharing.

[puffer_girl]

Absolutely incredible...... Love looking at the pics you post! Please keep updated...... The more pics the better!!!!

[Hasi]

Truely AMAZING!

Lots of respect to you my friend, alot to be learned from you.

Thank you for taking the time to post information and informotive detail about your wonderful creation and past time.

[rook45]

love the pics...is that monster tank in your house??

[fishnutham]

great pics !!!!

[arapaimag]

love the pics...is that monster tank in your house??

Glad you enjoyed the pics. I built the 15k after I had built my 50k+ to house fish that might be eaten or killed in my big tank. It also serves as a grow up tank. It is built in an existing fish room. I removed all the tanks in the middle of the room including an indoor pond I had built for my planiceps which I had moved by then into the 50k+. I left all the other tanks that were on shelves against the walls (a total of 79).

I then measured the area required as an aisle for viewing the new tank and servicing the existing tanks. Then I marked the boundaries of where I would be build the tank and went from there. The actual building of this tank and the bigger one are described in articles on this page.

I made this article because of the number of requests for more pictures and questions regarding which fish, how old how big etc. I always record all my fish that I acquire and the the size and who I got it from.

keep smiling,

[arapaimag]

Seems like an awesome tank. You say the tank is 6 feet deep and 28 feet long, I was curious how long is the tank? Also what did you make the tank out of?

Welcome to MFK. The tank is built with concrete, rebar, steel, and glass. It has styro and wood above the waterline to the ceiling. If you go to the article building the mini mega 15,000 you can see it being assembled.

[arapaimag]

Arapaimag, you mention Oliver Lucanus (Owner of Below Water in Montreal), and I have heard his name before. Looked at his website but did not grasp what he was doing exactly...is he only an explorator/photograph or does he sell fish? I am asking because I live in Montreal, and I have a hard time getting very specific fish for my tanks.

Maybe you can give me a hint?

Thanks!

Oliver covers everything in the hobby. He speaks several languages including english, french and german. Before his wholesale operation "Below Water" he co owned "Biotope" with a great guy named SEAN.

He sells wholesale only.

His website will direct you to retailers that carry his fish.

Some of the fish stores I buy from and recomend are listed on my basketball website. Jerry Draper at the Tropical Fish room is a great source for unusual fish in Canada.

There is other info regarding large fish also on the site including that crazy hamster style tank in Germany.

www.spitfirechallenge.ca

[ms169699]

and everyone thought my 250g Fresh (2-125g Reefs) 30g and 29g were alot.

I must say I am Impressed with your tank.

[DeLgAdO]

ever considered acrylic panels instead of glass panels?

[downset21]

I am im awe, and I cant think of anything else to say.

[arapaimag]

I seriously bow down to you oh Great ONE!

Actually you, Li neoprodigy and your moderators are the GREAT ONES for developing such a fantastic site for hobbyists keeping big fish :thumbsup: :clap

[arapaimag]

ever considered acrylic panels instead of glass panels?

Both are good. I have a couple of acrylic tanks and don't like the scratches mine have gotten. My glass panels have not given me any problems so far.

[lizardfishman]

amzing tank great job. how wide is the tank?
:mwave: :mwave: :mwave: :mwave:

[GoldfishCrazy11]

Wow... Nice

[DiXoN]

i am simply in awe of you collection of fish.
your tanks are truly amazing.
thanks for sharing

[redtailfool]

arapaimag, isnt the black ray a P.Henleii ? Awesome setup and collection. Im glad the fish are doing well even at 70-75 degree temps. Dr. Ross , a ray expert, also keeps his stingray collections in the 70s due to the restrictive cost of heating the fishroom.

[arapaimag]

arapaimag, isnt the black ray a P.Henleii ? Awesome setup and collection. Im glad the fish are doing well even at 70-75 degree temps. Dr. Ross , a ray expert, also keeps his stingray collections in the 70s due to the restrictive cost of heating the fishroom.

You could be right on the ray. Several people said it was a leopoldi. All I know it is an awesome fish. He has taken down a lot of big fish since I got him.

[aeea]

very very very nice set up! great job arapaimag! you keep us all inspired in taking care of monster fishies!

[andy123]

totally AWESOME!!!! I wish I had it. question. how do you heat a tank that big, and also how do you filter all that water. pool pump???

[goldclownknife]

Thanks for welcoming me. Thanks for letting me know about the other article, i'm gonna head there now.

[Stang1]

I believe I have found a new reason for I go to work everyday....simply amazed

[Whitey186]

What a tank. Thanks for more pitures and info. looking forward to next thread :thumbsup:

[arapaimag]

arapaimag, isnt the black ray a P.Henleii ? Awesome setup and collection. Im glad the fish are doing well even at 70-75 degree temps. Dr. Ross , a ray expert, also keeps his stingray collections in the 70s due to the restrictive cost of heating the fishroom.


I forgot to mention the rays size is totally misleading in the photos on the article and the ones in the link from it to the photo gallery. My tank glass makes all my fish look smaller than they are. I will take pictures of him next week at feeding time when he comes up to the surface to catch smelts, whitefish or arowanas. He is a good size. He also mated in the tank with a motoro and sired some young ones which are growing up in a 180 near him.

As you know I actually have 4 fish rooms so it can get a little out of hand for electricity and hydro especially at this time of year :eek: . Some of my smaller tanks are kept warmer. The 800 with my pema babies (20inches and growing. Grown 11 inches since I got them in September) is closer to 80 degrees as is a 540 with my aba (32+inches).

[redtailfool]

simply amazing arapaimag. Yeah that black ray to me looks more like a henleii than a leo. Check my avatar ... I had a henleii too.

[arapaimag]

simply amazing arapaimag. Yeah that black ray to me looks more like a henleii than a leo. Check my avatar ... I had a henleii too.

Great picture of him on your avator by the way. Sorry you don't have him anymore.
I also had a Leopoldi henlii that had more yellow spots than this one. It showed female, so I put it with this male a few years ago. The big guy just about killed the other one in minutes. I seperated them and what I thought to be a female developed into a male the following year. I bought that ray in 1989 and it died in 2005 after a fight with a large motoro female?

Nobuhito Kuroiwa says in "Jurassic fishes" how difficult it is identify specimens.

So maybe mine should just be Potamotrygon sp.

[goldclownknife]

I just checked out the link to the gallery, the pictures are amazing. I saw a few with your gold clownknife? I like the markings on yours. I put two pictures of mine up on your other page like you asked. Hope you like them.

[arapaimag]

I just checked out the link to the gallery, the pictures are amazing. I saw a few with your gold clownknife? I like the markings on yours. I put two pictures of mine up on your other page like you asked. Hope you like them.

Just checked him out he is great I replied on that one also.

Thanks for sharing his picture

[Nic]

:WHOA: wow arapaimag that is absolutly amazing i look at your tanks and im speechless im at a loss for words
Nic :)

[mbhw]

Your Oreochromis Niloticus is awesome! I was sad to get rid of mine when they outgrew my 75 gallon.

[pinnky]

You the man. Awesome tank.

[gomezladdams]

You rule. :woot: You are the fish god!! :headbang2
Im amazed every time you post pics :clap

[pumbus]

amazing tank

[pumbus]

what is the largest fish you have in there now

[arapaimag]

what is the largest fish you have in there now

Hey great to hear from Newfoundland :headbang2

The largest fish would be a few of the silver Arowanas around 3 feet. There are many fish in the 2 foot range.

[dapike1979]

I would kill for something like that!! lol Keep up the good work!! :clap :clap :clap

[arapaimag]

Your Oreochromis Niloticus is awesome! I was sad to get rid of mine when they outgrew my 75 gallon.


Wow!!! The names of the fish are changing faster than I can buy new books. I have 3 in the tank and They are very nice fish to own. I know some people dislike tilipia since they became so popular as food found in supermarkets but I still admire them.

[paintboi101]

very very very very nice. makes me want to drull

[h3llphyre]

I am in awe. Just off the top of my head, what does your electric bill run you? haha

[jonnyrotten]

:thumbsup: wow

[arapaimag]

I am in awe. Just off the top of my head, what does your electric bill run you? haha

It depends how much I use the sand filters. The most so far is $1,200 a month for eleltricity and another $1,200 a month for heat. When winters are mild and I keep most of my tanks in the 70-73 degree range and only use the filters a couple of days a week if I'm lucky I can knock $400 to $500 off each of them. I lose weight in the winters because I can't afford to .................eat :(

[rubberbanddude]

Have you ever gone swimming in the tank for fun? You pay the cost of it by charging people to snorkel in it!

[arapaimag]

Have you ever gone swimming in the tank for fun? You pay the cost of it by charging people to snorkel in it!

Actually I have had 3 people swim in the tank. Once to catch a tarpin that had died and the other 2 times to catch a large female stingray that was being abused (almost killed) by her mate.

Most people want to swim in my 50k+ (the waters 3 feet deeper)

Hey maybe your idea for making money is a good idea. The electricity/heat is a killer this year. :naughty:

[gandalfdgrey]

Hi there,
I am a new guy here from Malta. Geez, your setups are huge and I thought that my sixteen 600 gal tanks were big.

[draymon]

Awesome!!!!!

[edotero]

Where did you get the glass for this tank ?

[arapaimag]

Hi there,
I am a new guy here from Malta. Geez, your setups are huge and I thought that my sixteen 600 gal tanks were big.


Great to have you join MFK. I would really like to see pics of your tanks. Are they glass or acrylic? What monster fish do you keep?

[arapaimag]

Where did you get the glass for this tank ?


I just priced the glass from local suppliers and bought from the shop that gave me the best deal. A friend had recommended them.

[zenins]

Thanks for the updated photos.

Awesome !

[a_short_round_1]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: I am major league jealous! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[GODS1KID]

COOL

[GODS1KID]

COOL B

[GODS1KID]

COOL X

[anton671]

SPeechles and In tears My friend, thank you for showing me what my dream s actually look like :clap :headbang2

[fabapuch]

wow

[rubberbanddude]

Actually I have had 3 people swim in the tank. Once to catch a tarpin that had died and the other 2 times to catch a large female stingray that was being abused (almost killed) by her mate.

Most people want to swim in my 50k+ (the waters 3 feet deeper)

Hey maybe your idea for making money is a good idea. The electricity/heat is a killer this year. :naughty:
You gunna let go in free since i gave you the idea? lol

[arapaimag]

Hey, I was never charging you. I've got admit my puffers and rays love shrimp though...sorry. Is your new 55 set up now? marine or fresh?

[WolfFisho1]

how the heck do u pay for all that water change and food and the fish?

[rubberbanddude]

Hey, I was never charging you. I've got admit my puffers and rays love shrimp though...sorry. Is your new 55 set up now? marine or fresh?
marine its cycled now and im getting a porcupine puffer next week. my lfs ordered babies special for me

[rubberbanddude]

marine its cycled now and im getting a porcupine puffer next week. my lfs ordered babies special for me
and i dont eat shrimp i dont mind fish eating shrimp there supposed to do that lol
my cleaner shrimp rules he cleans under my nails so i dont have to!
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/rubberbanddude/DSC01901.jpg

[joel]

i am speechless you are the man

[arapaimag]

marine its cycled now and im getting a porcupine puffer next week. my lfs ordered babies special for me

I like Porcupine puffers. Had one for about 3years when I had a couple of marine tanks going.

Enjoy the puffer when you get it.

[rubberbanddude]

I like Porcupine puffers. Had one for about 3years when I had a couple of marine tanks going.

Enjoy the puffer when you get it.
what size tank did you have it in? Im going to put him in a 125 eventually

[Kevy01]

Wonderful job on your tank. I thought I had a big aquarium before I came to this site. I just moved from a 55 gallon to a 110 gallon. That was a huge jump for me.

[arapaimag]

what size tank did you have it in? Im going to put him in a 125 eventually

I aclimatized the puffer in a 50g for acouple of months then moved it to a 225. I still have fresh water puffers. Tetraodon mbu 10" Mbu Puffer (Congo Puffer),
Tetraodon Lineatus 12" Nile Puffer (fahaka puffer),
Tetraodon duboisi 5" Dubois' Freshwater Puffer, and 1 brackish water Takifugu ocellatus 6" Peacock puffer. The bigger ones are in 50's and will be moved to 90-135g tanks in the next few months.

[arapaimag]

Wonderful job on your tank. I thought I had a big aquarium before I came to this site. I just moved from a 55 gallon to a 110 gallon. That was a huge jump for me.

Welcome to the MFK site and if you keep large monster fish hopefully we all will inspire you to keep big tanks to keep them in.

[ajl10spro]

Absolutely Awesome! :thumbsup: We all can dream of such a setup.

[TATTON]

jesus!!!!!!!!! that is one HUGE tank!!!

i darent ask how much it costs to run and build and feed and stock but i will......HOW MUCH???? :WHOA:

[drano33]

Got a question...how fast do those silver arowana's grow??? I have a 8inch arowana in my 125gal tank and im just curious.... :thumbsup:

[rubberbanddude]

Got a question...how fast do those silver arowana's grow??? I have a 8inch arowana in my 125gal tank and im just curious.... :thumbsup:
i saw one yester about 3 feet long talk about a monster

[arapaimag]

Got a question...how fast do those silver arowana's grow??? I have a 8inch arowana in my 125gal tank and im just curious.... :thumbsup:

I grow mine very slow. I know Bill "Clyde" Gibbons who lives in Ontario, grew one from about 6" to 28 inches tl in one year. Lots of minnows, floating pellets and night crawlers.

[skinless]

Arapaimag,

always been a fan of your threads, absolutely incredible. I hope you win the lottery so you can fund your next, much larger project and share it with all of us envious folks around the world.

Truly, the zenith of home aquaria.

[rubberbanddude]

I grow mine very slow. I know Bill "Clyde" Gibbons who lives in Ontario, grew one from about 6" to 28 inches tl in one year. Lots of minnows, floating pellets and night crawlers.
and constant water changes.

[Wooten_PE]

THAT IS AWESOME!

[Roberto C. Wells]

If I could curse on this site I would b/c that’s the best thing I ever saw

[grenade3]

good god.

[pass]

I bow in the last thread and so :thumbsup: 'll bow again. I tip my hat to you bro.

[stripier pineapple]

thats amazing, the stuff dreams are made of!

[arapaimag]

and constant water changes.


Yes Clyde does huge water changes thanks for reminding me

[mudskipper]

You are a freking god!!!

[ewurm]

How many neon tetras can you put in a 15000 gal tank? :ROFL:

[ewurm]

None with your fish if you want any to last more than 5 minutes... :ROFL:

[mothernature]

wooo hooo , big fishies, you could feed them a human , that would be cheaper,, ---JUST KIDDING, and I thought I spent alot on food for animals, never again will I feel dissapointed spending the last of my money on flakes, because somewhere,,, somebodies buying ALOT more flakes!!!!! Im going to try not feeding my oscars as much, but I hope they dont stop wiggling there cute lil' tails. Feeding once a week would be alot cheaper.
I run circles around my house, feeding all the fish , and then to the animals, filling water bottles then to the reptiles, check the humidity, whew, alot of work , dont you think it wouldnt be so bad to charge a small fee. In my case I dont think anybody would want to see my monsters , a pleco and a huge goldfish:) I thought I was the master until I found this site and realized arapaimag is the master, and Im just a little girl with a goldfish ;}

[rubberbanddude]

wooo hooo , big fishies, you could feed them a human , that would be cheaper,, ---JUST KIDDING, and I thought I spent alot on food for animals, never again will I feel dissapointed spending the last of my money on flakes, because somewhere,,, somebodies buying ALOT more flakes!!!!! Im going to try not feeding my oscars as much, but I hope they dont stop wiggling there cute lil' tails. Feeding once a week would be alot cheaper.
I run circles around my house, feeding all the fish , and then to the animals, filling water bottles then to the reptiles, check the humidity, whew, alot of work , dont you think it wouldnt be so bad to charge a small fee. In my case I dont think anybody would want to see my monsters , a pleco and a huge goldfish:) I thought I was the master until I found this site and realized arapaimag is the master, and Im just a little girl with a goldfish ;}
show us, everyone is the master of their tank

[magellan]

out of curiousity what are the dimensions on the 15k tank ? What is the thickness of the transparent panels and are they made of Lexan? I ask because i am using 3/4" lexan in construction of my tiny by comparison 1000 gallon marine tank....

[arapaimag]

out of curiousity what are the dimensions on the 15k tank ? What is the thickness of the transparent panels and are they made of Lexan? I ask because i am using 3/4" lexan in construction of my tiny by comparison 1000 gallon marine tank....


If you have the time please go to the article section again and click on the building of the 15,000 gallon tank. Everything you asked is listed there.

Congrats on building your 1,000 I am sure it will look great. Please make an article on building it and post on MFK so we all can admire it.

[rubberbanddude]

Another good money making idea, charge admission and sell tee shirts

[HiGhTiMeZ]

OH - MY - GOD!!! :WHOA:

[oconnordaithi]

wow man you really do have the most amazing setup I have ever seen.... well done...

[oconnordaithi]

Im interested to know if any of the cichlids fight? I imagine they have disputes but as the tank is so big you can see them behave in this way safely without one killing the other? I would imagine it is wonderful to see them behave naturally in such an expance of a tank!

[arapaimag]

Im interested to know if any of the cichlids fight? I imagine they have disputes but as the tank is so big you can see them behave in this way safely without one killing the other? I would imagine it is wonderful to see them behave naturally in such an expance of a tank!

There are very few fights among the cichlids in either of my large tanks.
A dominant male will just scare a submissive male or different cichlid species he dislikes away. No vicious attack required. Also Both tanks are L shaped and have barrier walls to reduce lines of sight between individual fish. Almost all of my cichlids display completely different personalities in the large tanks compared to being housed in tanks 800 gallons or less.

[JefeBille]

cool

[Qrys24]

Thanks for the update and the new pics. Keep'em coming. I never tire of seeing your set ups and monsters.

[Dvs5k8nm0t0]

That sucks that u lost a good fish because of a careless friend

[johno27]

Awesome tanks That Dovii is amazing he looks like a warrior :WHOA:

Good luck and happy fish keeping in the future and thank you for sharing your awesome fish and experiences with us we can all learn a lot from you.

Johno

[dtgshark]

just simply amazing, looks like a mini public aquarium. great work! :thumbsup:

[rickson]

you ar "the man" :headbang2

[stotty]

All i can do is :drool: What birds do you keep?

[cockroach]

speechless

[labeo]

Awsome aquarium! and awsome fish! but whats a labeobarbus festiva? i cant find nothing when i google it, have you any pics of it.

[arapaimag]

Awsome aquarium! and awsome fish! but whats a labeobarbus festiva? i cant find nothing when i google it, have you any pics of it.

OOPS
try labiobarbus festiva it used to be called the Arrow shark common name.
There is a picture in Axelrods Atlas (3rd ed. page 594). The fish is quite a bit more attractive than the pic shown.

[scottv]

May I suggest you making a VIDEO of your aquarium?!?! That would be SWEET! You could even have a friend who's a film nut compile a nice 10 minute clip....


That is a NICE aquarium....with my kinda fish!!! :grinyes: :clap :clap :thumbsup:

[fishnthings]

ever considered acrylic panels instead of glass panels?

y.. wouldnt u only use acrylic if you wanted to move the tank sometime.. hes obviously not moving those tanks :ROFL:

arapimag your setups are awesome ;)

[Onikun]

Thats awesome. Are you in the Toronto Area? I noticed lot of the fish you bought were bought in southern ontario.

[paintboi101]

So like how rich are u again??? :D :D :D

[paintboi101]

maybe u can loan me some plecos that u dont need lol

[arapaimag]

May I suggest you making a VIDEO of your aquarium?!?! That would be SWEET! You could even have a friend who's a film nut compile a nice 10 minute clip....


That is a NICE aquarium....with my kinda fish!!! :grinyes: :clap :clap :thumbsup:


In Earlier posts I mentioned that some VHS video was being sent to Neoprodigy to see what he can do. He now has them. The tapes were made 2000-2003 and have suffered a loss of quality but we will see if he and his brother can hopefully do a little magic.

[deangelo]

:jaw: one word AWESOME! :jaw:

[AroW]

I wish I had one of these

[ewurm]

What a great community!

[arapaimag]

Thats awesome. Are you in the Toronto Area? I noticed lot of the fish you bought were bought in southern ontario.

I visit that area often. What large fish do you keep?

[acaraguy]

whoa thats awesome took a fortune to build that huh?

[arapaimag]

whoa thats awesome took a fortune to build that huh?

Must have...............cause I don't have fortune now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[arapaimag]

OOOPPPS Take the African Pike (Hepsetus odoe) off the inventory list.

I was wondering why the Stingray was munching on something when I had not fed the tank yet.................

[staticline69]

do they ever fight

[benzjamin13]

:WHOA:
It's so impressive:headbang2

[arapaimag]

do they ever fight


Although there always will be some aggression there is not very much fighting. The Stingray does nail a few fish but he eats them.

[Tank Predator]

ONCE AGAIN JUST SICK !

[big E]

My mind boggles whenever I see this!

[Jesta2]

Just joined the forum. This is a great looking tank. Must have taken a great deal of time to plan it all out. Great job!

[REC]

I saw this thread 4 months ago and nothing has changed..........Where the hell are the updated pics?????? All i see is page after page of members drooling...........

[beex215]

u the focking fish king

ur the best

[ken_cichlasomania]

any updates?

[arapaimag]

any updates?

Actually not much to update. As you can see I keep my fish for a longer period of time than most people and since the tank is pretty full I will not be adding anything for at least 2 or 3 years.

Simon ( Fish room manager at Big Al's Oakville) did go into the tank last weekend and replaced 3 light bulbs that had burned out. He also rearranged the rocks and bogwood (The big Stingray moves them about). He put a second airline into place for an additional air diffuser. He also caught 12 plecos in the 12" to 18" range. The plecos were added to the 50k+.

That's about it I have had no known casualties for several months in the tank :D probably due to all the fish staying clear of the stingray at feeding time.

[jsfunk78]

a dream tank for me

[pacpakkie]

Yesss I like youre arowana mixing!!

[arapaimag]

Yesss I like youre arowana mixing!!

Thanks.

They of course don't keep perfect finnage because of how rough their tankmates can be.

[Ash]

Those are alot of awesome fish you keep in there!!! =) Great job!

[ShadowVengance]

Your my hero. Im coming to live in there.

[Kuda]

ive been wowed

[mushroomfish]

is there any fighting during feeding?

[arapaimag]

is there any fighting during feeding?

At feeding everyone is too busy to waste their time fighting. They just eat as much as they can.

[arapaimag]

Hi everyone,

I just returned from the ACA (American Cichlid Association) July 19-23, 2006
Sheraton Chicago Northwest, Arlington Heights, IL in Chicago. It was one of
the best conventions and largest ever. There were over 2,000 bags of
quality cichlids in their final auction after already having several other
auctions and many hobbyists selling out of their rooms and the selling room.
The Greater Chicago Cichlid Association that hosted the event were friendly
and fantastic. In their incredible Show was a new TANK BUSTER CLASS in
memory of Mike Sheridan who passed away earlier this year. The welcome bag
of goodies exceeded any event I have ever attended.

The highlights were meeting Neoprodigy :thumbsup: , his wife Elsie:thumbsup:
and #1 son Jason (Neo 2) :thumbsup: (The Neo's was instructed to have more
children and a manual with full instructions were provided in case they
forgot how).

MFK helped as a ACA sponsor and set up a booth for the whole show where MFK
members and prospective members mingled. It was great to talk with some
hobbyists who actually keep over 600 tanks.

Neo wowed everyone with his recent pictures of his trip to the orient and
the best one was a movie of tank in Taiwan with 20 adult Arapaimas at
feeding time.

We went to the famous SHEDD aquarium and of course enjoyed the Arapaimas,
electric eels and other monsters. They had a number of Colossoma brachypomum
instead of the normal Colossoma macropomum and they also had a rare
Colossoma oculus. One of the great things is the tremendous number of top
quality speakers, book authors and explorers that attend and mingle with us
during the event. While observing the Amazon tanks Heiko Bleher:thumbsup:
(Led over 400 expeditions in his lifetime and author of multiple books and
over 1,000 magazine articles) was on my one side and Jeff Cardwell:thumbsup:
(A cichlid hobbyist, leader of 17 expeditions and conservationist who has
bought to preserve 2,800 acres of rainforest with 9 friends) on the other
side. People like this actually have gotten into the waters our fish come
from more times than they can remember. Other noted speakers and attendees
were Dr. Jos Snoeks | Dr. Phil Willink | Dr. Uwe Romer | Dr. Wayne Leibel |
Dr. Mark Mitchell | Juan Miguel Artigas Azas | Ad Konings | Dick Au | Mo
Devlin | Rusty Wessel | Eric Hanneman | Joe Middleton | Randy Carey | Ted
Judy |

Speaking with one of the curators regarding their Abba Abba Gymnarchus
niloticus he related the time a black bird had entered the building in the
working section above the exhibit and when attempting to have a drink of
water was pulled into the tank by the abba, eaten and the only evidence was
the large number of feathers floating in the tank after it happened. Another
feature of the trip to the Shedd was the behind the scenes opportunity to
see the maintenance side and talk with nearly one dozen of the curators and
assistants.

The event was hosted by the famous Greater Chicago Cichlid Association led
by Rick Borstein and 60 other dedicated volunteers. They put on a
spectacular event.:headbang2

They provided coaches to both the Shedd and also a boat tour of Chicago.

There was a large dealer showroom of dry goods. It was in this room that Neo
had the MFK booth. Mike and Robin Shadle had their book store, Sting Ray
Lucas (Kingfisher) had his display, John had a large Jehmco display, (I
bought another linear piston pump from him). TFH Tropical Fish Hobbyist had
a booth and editor in chief David Boruchowitz was on hand mingling with the
hundreds of hobbyists. FAMA and Aquarium Fish mags were both there also. I
requested more monster fish in depth articles from them both to match the
recent push David Boruchowitz has provided us with at TFH. As well Zoo Med
had a huge display. Many other booths were at the event with knowledgeable
hobbyists at them.

Discus Hans and his wife attended and had a whole room of incredible discus
available to purchase. The actual breeder Mr Stendker also came from Europe
to meet buyers of his beautiful fish. Heiko Bleher was also available to
sign copies of his new book Bleher's Discus Volume 1. It is magnificent and
covers many of the fish in the amazon while covering all aspects of the
discus. I bought a copy and you can also from AQUAPRESS
aquapress@aquapress-bleher.it

There were fish seller rooms with hundreds of tanks including Jeff Rapps.

Pam Chin led the Babes drive for funding for the Guy Jordan fund. I got a
copy of the 10th edition of Exotic Aquarium Fishes by William Innes in their
silent auction. It was donated by Mike & Robin Shaddle. Dick Au told me he
had been lucky to obtain a copy of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd editions ($100.00
for the 1st edition). I'm hoping I'm included in his will !!!

They had a great banquet and Dr Wayne Liebel had a speech on if the species
was legitimate and discovering the location of the original Flowerhorn
Cichlid in the wild. He had many slides in his presentation showing the
birthplace of this fish????. He also advised us of the next expedition he is
organizing to prove the existence of and discover the original birthplace of
the popular rainbow of colours Asian Parrot Fish. If you ever wanted to take
a trek in the jungles of the world contact Wayne.

At the banquet I also managed to piss off our host Rick Borstein when, after
he mentioned to everyone in the room that we all suffered from some sort of
Cichlid disease because of the large number of tanks we maintain. He then
mentioned that he had 22 tanks, An attendee named Warren from Wisconsin
mentioned that was nothing and that he had over 100 tanks so he and the rest
of us at the table must be really ill. Unfortunately Rick thought this was a
slight to his maintaining 22 tanks (He actually is a very good cichlid
keeper and breeds 28 species a year:headbang2 ). He avoided me the rest of
the convention. I got out of town as fast as I could before a contract was
taken on me. I was scared he might hire Rick Perez to run over me in my
wheelchair.

I apologize to you Rick for the misunderstanding. If Rick Perez was present,
the joke? would have been very quickly understood.

Speaking of The legend, Rick Perez of monster cichlid fame led many car
loads of hobbyists to his home to view his incredible 200 plus tanks. He has
dozens of tanks 180 gallons and up to 700 gallons. He breeds many species of
fish and among the monsters had 4 spawning of Cichla sp (Peacock Bass) to
actually view. Nobody else can even breed them in their lifetime and the
Peacock bass legend has 4 spawning on view at an ACA convention in his home
town.

He had about 1,142 adult Cichlas in his tanks and when I asked if I could if
I could buy 3 of the smallest.

He said GGGGGEEEEEEEE I really didn't want to part with any right now.

I mentioned this to members of the Greater Chicago Cichlid club. They
suggested I pay a few bucks to some of the big guys attending the ACA to
bend a few parts on Rick's body. But, I had made a mistake and had already
eaten a meal at a restaurant in the hotel and spent my entire budget for the
whole weekend on the hamburger.

The members then told me not to worry because nobody in the club liked Rick
Perez anyway :banhim: and would gladly welcome the chance to break a few of
his limbs on my behalf. The women all begged to be allowed to kick him while
the men were disassembling him. (The most eager woman looked a lot like
Rick's wife!)

I thought it over, then decided it would be a lot more gruesome if my best
friend Jason (Neo 2)took care of him. NOTE: Jason is small but I saw him
devour a bun in the restaurant and could only imagine what he would do to
the cichlid legend Rick Perez if given the chance.

SO.........Rick don't ever go into a dark room alone.......... My buddy
Jason (Neo 2):headbang2 has my contract on you.

However rejoice that I and all the people who know you, look forward to
visiting you in hospital:grinyes: .

I also have proposed a Rick Perez memorial award at the next live bearers
convention for the fish with the smallest
gonopodium...........................:ROFL:


The 2007 ACA Annual Convention will be held in Sacramento,
California, hosted by the Sacramento Aquarium Society (SAS) Dates: July 18 -
22, 2007 http://www.cichlid.org/ACA2007Convention.html.


Neoprodigy and his son Jason (NEO 2) have agreed to attend the
All Aquarium Catfish Convention 2006 Presented by the Potomac Valley
Aquarium Society October 20-22
Laurel, Maryland. http://catfish2006.com/
This will be a great chance for MFK members to gather, chat and meet
the legend Neoprodigy
(I might not be there because I have agreed to watch TV with Neo's wife
Elsie while he attends the Convention).

[RedDevilDon2005]

that sounded like a blast. do u have any pictures? oh, and do u have a video of feeding time at your tank

[arapaimag]

that sounded like a blast. do u have any pictures? oh, and do u have a video of feeding time at your tank

Neoprodigy will be posting asap

Sorry no videos of feeding at present

[STATIC X]

nice speacially the knifefish,aro,shovel nose,oscar,and others but i cannot see
pirarucu?

and is the size of the knife fish u have?




!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NICE_TANK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

[arapaimag]

nice speacially the knifefish,aro,shovel nose,oscar,and others but i cannot see
pirarucu?

and is the size of the knife fish u have?




!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NICE_TANK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

The Clown Knife's are 24"+-

The Arapaima can be seen in the 50K pictures. The Pema was 65" and 126lbs. As the threads state she was killed by the black shark. 3 babies 30" are now in the tank. The biggest Pemas on MFK are on John's 2400 gallon Arapaima article.

[bboy]

Mike,
It was a great honor meeting you. My brother and I appreciate all the
infomation that you provided. Take care of yourself buddy.:headbang2
See you next year; if not before then. Peace.


BBOY(Carl)

[freshyfishy]

Have you ever thought of swimming in there?

[arapaimag]

Mike,
It was a great honor meeting you. My brother and I appreciate all the
infomation that you provided. Take care of yourself buddy.:headbang2
See you next year; if not before then. Peace.


BBOY(Carl)

IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO MEET BOTH OF YOU AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE 2006 CATFISH CONVENTION NEAR BALTIMORE IN OCTOBER

KEEP SMILING

[Crash607]

true MFK

[Daniel Machado]

After seing your list and these pics...

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=12213&size=1 (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=12213&size=1)
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=12211&size=1 (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=12211&size=1)

I realized that your "spotted/barred leporinus", the fish that appears in both pics, is a specimen of Schizodon vittatus. A nice one, BTW. :thumbsup:

Very impressive tank... Congratulations. :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

Best regards.

Daniel.

[arapaimag]

Thank you very much.

My guys actually look very similiar to Schizodon fasciatum but my fish are more robust in body shape.

I have been unable to find a picture of Schizodon vittatus. I did find one of Leporellus vittatus and mine do not look like that.

however
my 4 fish appear to be in the leporinus sp. perhaps in the pellegrini-alternus group. since they have more of a downturned mouth than Schizoden or Anostomus. With more than 60 species of Leporinus do you think it might be in that group.

[iglowce]

thats a monster den in there =]

[bmxer4ever]

Hi Arapaimag, looked through this thread and your "stocklist" before but hadn't noticed the Sexfaciatus. How have your experiences been with these fish?
I'm looking after my sisters fish for a year or so (it's what got me back into fishkeeping after a 20 year break), and she had one of these guys since he was an inch long.
At the time she knew very little about them and it took me some time to find anything out as I had NO information, not even a name.
"Big stripey guy" didn't really get me anywhere on Google!
Since I've been lookin after him, he's grown about two inches, and I understand that he will reach over 12" in captivity (well, most of us don,t have a swimming pool as a tank...), this one's reraching 7" at the moment.
How aggresive do you find them and do they get worse as they get bigger?
Thanks
bmxer4ever

[jordank]

Amazing tank, hats off to you for building such a beauty :).

[arapaimag]

Hi Arapaimag, looked through this thread and your "stocklist" before but hadn't noticed the Sexfaciatus. How have your experiences been with these fish?
I'm looking after my sisters fish for a year or so (it's what got me back into fishkeeping after a 20 year break), and she had one of these guys since he was an inch long.
At the time she knew very little about them and it took me some time to find anything out as I had NO information, not even a name.
"Big stripey guy" didn't really get me anywhere on Google!
Since I've been lookin after him, he's grown about two inches, and I understand that he will reach over 12" in captivity (well, most of us don,t have a swimming pool as a tank...), this one's reraching 7" at the moment.
How aggresive do you find them and do they get worse as they get bigger?
Thanks
bmxer4ever

I have always enjoyed Distichodus. Thank you for sharing your fish pictures with us.

D. sexfasciatus are of course are the most beautiful (until they mature). I have found them to be peaceful in my 15k except among themselves. I am sure in a smaller tank they will be more aggresive. I really like your clown loach in colour, size and condition.

I have enjoyed visiting Glasgow and several times went to a great gymnasium/motorcycle/train museum I believe it is named Kelvin Hall.

Best of luck with your fish and great to have you back in the hobby.

[big E]

I always enjoy this thread ! The tank keeps amazing me every time I see the pics! Better than any freshwater display I have seen including public aquaria ! All the fish I wish I could own all at once!

[rallysman]

I had the pleasure of shaking this mans hand. I havent washed it since.
I never get enough of these pix!

[bmxer4ever]

"I have enjoyed visiting Glasgow and several times went to a great gymnasium/motorcycle/train museum I believe it is named Kelvin Hall."

That's just another example of a small world...I live 5 minutes from the Kelvin Hall and my fiancee works there as a physiotherapist..!

Was the Kelvingrove Art Gallery open when you were here? They've spent millions on it and it just reopened last month.
Let me know if you ever plan on heading this way again.
Respect.
bmxer4ever

p.s. the Glasgow Squadron Spitfire that you will have seen in the Transport Museum is now hanging in the Art Gallery - much better display!

[bmxer4ever]

Was it this one...?

[arapaimag]

Was it this one...?

I can't remember if it is but I really appreciate that you took the time to get the picture and post it.

I have been lucky in obtaining many pictures of Spitfires over the years from basketball players visiting me from Great Britain. Among them the Worcester Spitfire signed by many of the pilots and Lady Badar. I also have Dilip Sarkar's book on Sir Douglas Badar (the incredible double amputee) received from friends in GB.


I also enjoyed the BSA Spitfire motorcycle and Triumph Spitfire sports car.

If I ever return to Glasgow It will be my pleasure to contact you so we can meet and visit.

I actually bought 3 Panagasius sanitswongi from a store in Glasgow a few years ago and got them up to 36 inches. When in Scotland I heard of a small store about 100 miles (I think) north east of Glasgow. I went to the store with friends and the owner had the store just packed with fish including many unusual fish like African Tiger fish etc. He just packed his fish into tanks like 1,000 cardinals in a tank no more than 40 gallons.

[bmxer4ever]

Thanks for the reply....
On another note, I'm running a thread on Arapaima in the ancient fish forum, just putting in any info and as many pics as I can as I'm fascinated by these fish.(Who wouldn't be..?).
Johnptc has given me permission to use his pics... I'm sure you must have lots of pic's and info you could share with us.
You must be one of the few private individuals with the size to keep them..!

[bmxer4ever]

Forgot to post the link to the thread..!
this one...
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35218

[bmxer4ever]

I actually bought 3 Panagasius sanitswongi from a store in Glasgow a few years ago and got them up to 36 inches. When in Scotland I heard of a small store about 100 miles (I think) north east of Glasgow. I went to the store with friends and the owner had the store just packed with fish including many unusual fish like African Tiger fish etc. He just packed his fish into tanks like 1,000 cardinals in a tank no more than 40 gallons.

I wonder if this place still exists...never heard of it.
Sounds like a road trip...!

[Raxing]

For me this is a:nilly:

[doubleA]

:babyblack

[bmxer4ever]

For me this is a:nilly:

Forgive my ignorance, but what does that mean...?
We off topic or somethin...?! hee hee

[Raxing]

Forgive my ignorance, but what does that mean...?
We off topic or somethin...?! hee hee

something like , fantastic!

[hkfc]

CoOlies

[arapaimag]

IT LOOKS LIKE MANY THREADS ON THE SITE HAVE LOST THEIR PICTURES.

You can go to this link on my basketball site for the information but the pictures are not as large.

For the big 52K

http://www.spitfirechallenge.ca/buil...%2050k%20+.htm


For the 15K:

http://www.spitfirechallenge.ca/buil...a_15k_tank.htm

[walleyeman]

thanks

[mason28117]

why do i not have pernission to view pictures of these fish?

[DeLgAdO]

why do i not have pernission to view pictures of these fish?

cause your an eggy n00b :grinno:

[iglowce]

very impressed by your work... all thumbs up!!!!

[GOURAMI GUY]

nice wolf cichlid how big is it 24"?

[arapaimag]

nice wolf cichlid how big is it 24"?

approx 60cm. Do you shop at Jerry Draper's store The Tropical Fish Room in Brantford? He went with me to the Catfish convention in MD last month.

[tre]

your tank looks great but I have to ask you, did you just use the n word to describe one of your fish?

[rallysman]

your tank looks great but I have to ask you, did you just use the n word to describe one of your fish?

Pseudodoras niger is the name of the fish.

[tre]

OK, sorry. I have never heard of that before and it caught me of guard!

[tre]

Were does this guy get the glass at a good price for his tank?

[arapaimag]

your tank looks great but I have to ask you, did you just use the n word to describe one of your fish?

Welcome to MFK.

The scientific name NIGER is from Latin meaning black. Several animals have niger in their scientific name normally as Species which always is spelled using lower case. When it is used you know the colour of the fish. Sometimes you will see it it common names like the Niger trigger fish in the marine hobby.

It is pronounced neye jer


If you are new to using sceintific names I can understand your confusion. But the word has been around for more than 2,000 years and has no bad vibes.


Hope this helps

[tre]

thanks for the explain, Im kinda new to the scientific name game,but Im tryn. Do you have to have so many post in order to post pictures?

[arapaimag]

thanks for the explain, Im kinda new to the scientific name game,but Im tryn. Do you have to have so many post in order to post pictures?

It was 5 when I joined so you are probably OK now.

[kakojones]

The problem with florida....no basements so no room for a tank as awesome as this one. well, unless you buy the neighbor's house.
Love the tank, good job and keep the dream goin'.

[arapaimag]

The problem with florida....no basements so no room for a tank as awesome as this one. well, unless you buy the neighbor's house.
Love the tank, good job and keep the dream goin'.

No basement sure would be a space restriction. But you can keep fish outside in ponds year round.

[kakojones]

this is true, so long as the rain doesn't flood the pond and release your babies.

[tankyou]

Filtration & Water Changes

I use a 600 gallon sand filter on a manual basis. Most often not at all but always after a heavy feeding. I also use an airstone all the time and recently added a second airstone. They operate from the bottom of the tank (6 feet deep). I utilize large water changes (up to 4,000 gallons a week to keep the water clean. The tank has 4 swimming pool floor drains that advance to the water to the filter. I use up to 4,000 gallon weekly water changes to keep the tank clean.


Not to raise an old thread but when you do these water changes do you have to filter them or treat the water for chlorine? Is it tap water or well water? Just interested in knowing how you ensure 4,000 gallons of water a week is ready to add to the tank and not introduce harmful chemicals. Thanks.

BTW I am in AWE of the dedication to your fish. You are the eptitome of MONSTERFISHKEEPER.;)

[arapaimag]

[QUOTE=tankyou;664076;]Not to raise an old thread but when you do these water changes do you have to filter them or treat the water for chlorine? Is it tap water or well water? Just interested in knowing how you ensure 4,000 gallons of water a week is ready to add to the tank and not introduce harmful chemicals. Thanks.

Hi,

I use a well and go directly to the tank with the water. I do the changes in no pattern during each week. I do keep track of the days I do the water changes.

[Skittish Razor]

that is amazing. must cost a lot though

[arapaimag]

If a hobbyist is going to keep monster fish he must provide suitable sized aquariums to house them and spend the required amount to keep them healthy.

[drpez008]

congratulation, u know some day i'll have the room for a tank like that or bette jajaja,
i guess we all face these sindrome... the biger the tank , the smaller it looks for us,, doesn't it?

[arapaimag]

Were does this guy get the glass at a good price for his tank?

I went to a glass distributor and worked out the best deal I could find with him and paid cash.

[dustabusta]

You are a King among the fish keeping world. :headbang2 :headbang2 :headbang2

By the way do you have an umbie in there?

[dustabusta]

Nevermind the umbie question. ;) I see you have an inventory list. :screwy: silly me.

[Hartzell]

You have an awesome tank!!! MFKers all over the world will remember you long after we're all gone!

[arapaimag]

You are a King among the fish keeping world. :headbang2 :headbang2 :headbang2

By the way do you have an umbie in there?

Yes I do have an umbie (Herichthys umbriferum)
(about 11") but keep him in a 180 with an 8" electric catfish (Malapterus electrus)and a 8" fossilis cat (Heteropneustes fossilis). I find the big Dovi (Herichthys dovii) that lives in the 15k does not like the other 3 biggest cichlids namely the Umbie, peacock bass (14" temensis which I got from Neoprodigy and keep him in a 225 with a small 22" annectens lungfish (Protopterus annectens) and a Boulengerochromis microlepis 20" plus which I keep in a 800 with a couple of 18" cuban gars (Atractosteus tristoechus)
and 2 20" to 22" female stingrays (Potamotrygon motoro)

Since the Dovi is getting on in years I don't want him to have any additional stress and fighting.

He presently acts as a godfather to a pair of 12" red devils (Herichthys citrinellus) whenever they spawn (every 2 to 3 weeks) and helps protect the eggs and new born babies from the brycons, stingrays etc. It's amazing to witness he really thinks he is one of the parents and they really need his size (over 20") and muscle to protect their swarm of babies.

[padge]

and my wife says my tanks is overpopulated?!?!

[arapaimag]

and my wife says my tanks is overpopulated?!?!

I agree the fish just keep growing. I will remove a couple of dozen of the brycons this summer.

[fishy fishy fishy]

VERY NICE TANK!!! I like the arowanas the best!

[legendaryfrog]

are there any abnormal affects of keeping your fish at such low temperatures?

[oscarboy8]

i absolutly LOVE the OSCARS and ARROWANAS!!!!!! they r beautiful. they r tiger oscars right? how much do u feed them a day and how do u clean the tank? well good luck. if i had a 15,000 gallon tank i would go nuts!!!!! :nilly: :nilly: :nilly: :nilly: :nilly: :nilly: :nilly: :nilly: :nilly: :nilly: :nilly: :nilly:

ur a real Monster Fish Keeper! u ROCK :headbang2 :headbang2 :headbang2 :headbang2 :headbang2 :headbang2 :headbang2

[arapaimag]

are there any abnormal affects of keeping your fish at such low temperatures?

I have not had any problems in this tank. I have cichlids breeding almost non stop with huge shoals of babies. (Till the babies get eaten)

[arapaimag]

[QUOTE=oscarboy8;772793;]i absolutly LOVE the OSCARS and ARROWANAS!!!!!! they r beautiful. they r tiger oscars right? how much do u feed them a day and how do u clean the tank? well good luck. if i had a 15,000 gallon tank i would go nuts!!!!! :


There are some tigers and a red oscar in the tank. I only feed once or twice a week. I use a 600 lb swimming pool sand filter to keep the tank clean.

[andrewthegiant]

have u lost any important body parts to those fish?

[Lan]

solid sweet me!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dmarinko]

WOW

[elevatethis]

Do you swim with them for fun? I know it sounds like a stupid question, but I would probably consider it if I had that, lol....

[arapaimag]

Great news for everyone wanting updated pictures of the 50,000 and the 15,000. My friend did come over on Thursday April 5, however the remote sub had one propeller not working so we could not use it. :chillpill:

He did bring other cameras and a submersible remote controlled webcam which he took some good quality short movie clips of both tanks. :D

Neoprodigy just received some of the movie clips from the 50,000 just minutes ago and will make a new article in MFK's article section for both tanks as the rest come to us from my friend.

You will also see the updated filtration system I have been installing over the past year.

My friend will return in the summer and update again with a remote control double camera dvd submarine. :nilly:

I hope you all enjoy the pictures/movie clips:popcorn:

[Haab]

wow

[plausible]

cool.!

[sma]

Great news for everyone wanting updated pictures of the 50,000 and the 15,000. My friend did come over on Thursday April 5, however the remote sub had one propeller not working so we could not use it. :chillpill:

He did bring other cameras and a submersible remote controlled webcam which he took some good quality short movie clips of both tanks. :D

Neoprodigy just received some of the movie clips from the 50,000 just minutes ago and will make a new article in MFK's article section for both tanks as the rest come to us from my friend.

You will also see the updated filtration system I have been installing over the past year.

My friend will return in the summer and update again with a remote control double camera dvd submarine. :nilly:

I hope you all enjoy the pictures/movie clips:popcorn:

:eek:
i cant wait!

[bhurley79]

Your are the Monster Fish Keeper

[robot2222]

HELLO DUDE, WHAT CAN I SAY THE TANK IS TOO MUCH AND YOUR A MANIAC.

[Crazy Taco]

I agree 100%

[Tat2NYer]

Im jealous to say the least...

[arapaimag]

have u lost any important body parts to those fish?

Let me check .............................................. Noooo I seem all here

[ddyerfamily]

LOL........LOVE TANK AND FISH.
DREAMING...................................SOMEDAY ...................YAH RIGHT

[Aquaman_95]

WOW they look nice. How do you feed them?????????????????

[arapaimag]

WOW they look nice. How do you feed them?????????????????

They eat just about anything. They get dog food, 5 types of fish pellets, flakes, shrimp, mackeral, herring, salmon, smelts etc.

[bane-uk]

Hi Arapaimag,

Firstly wow o wow to you for your commitment to your fish, secondly I am in need of some advice if you dont mind.

I am constructing a 6ft x 6ft x 6ft tank and I was wondering what material are your vertical beams between each pane of glass & also what thickness is your glass.

Many thanks

Dan

[arapaimag]

Hi Arapaimag,

Firstly wow o wow to you for your commitment to your fish, secondly I am in need of some advice if you dont mind.

I am constructing a 6ft x 6ft x 6ft tank and I was wondering what material are your vertical beams between each pane of glass & also what thickness is your glass.

Many thanks

Dan

I used 3 1/2" by 3 1/2" steel beams but I would suggest using stainless steel to anyone building today. Arapaima John uses the ss. The big tank 52k has 36" spacing and 1" thick glass and 5 feet high. The small tank 15k which is the one you are looking at now has 36" spacing most of the way around but the glass is only 4" high and I was able to have only 3/4" glass because of the reduced pressure.

Best wishes for your new 1620 gallon tank. Please make an article and pics as it progresses we all will enjoy seeing it.

[bane-uk]

Hmmm thats great info thank you. so at 20" spacing 6ft high 12mm should be ok, do just seal the glass to the beams or is there any special process you down for that. sorry for all the questions.

Oh and most definately pics will go up.

D & V

[arapaimag]

Hmmm thats great info thank you. so at 20" spacing 6ft high 12mm should be ok, do just seal the glass to the beams or is there any special process you down for that. sorry for all the questions.

Oh and most definately pics will go up.

D & V

John Petersen did the actual work with his son. They used GE1200 silicone and it has held up very well. No leaks in either tank since they were built. You can see John installing the glass in the 50k article. He did clamp them after installing the panels. I left the clamps on for a few days and then filled the tank to apply the required pressure.

[SSLee]

I can't believe that you have that size a tank at your house. I would pay to come visit! Amazing! It must be extremely expensive to maintain and feed your tank of fish.

[bane-uk]

Well thanks for the advice it'l prob be near the end of the year when it goes up. that'l be when some of mine are a bit too big.

D & V

[arapaimag]

What monsters do you keep?

[bubblereef]

;) unbelievable.... that size arrowanas and oscars, plus all those other, slower looking fish, must be fed something different... theres got to be competition for the best food stuffs for sure.

[bubblereef]

:screwy:
this guy has got exodus status, he \han'st been on in nearly 7 months...

[bubblereef]

:screwy:
this guy has got exodus status, he \han'st been on in nearly 7 months...

[Bogwoodbruce]

That tank is awesome

[Aquaman_95]

AWW wish I could get the Arowanas

[doubledragon]

Such a wonderfull tank, I would love to see feeding day:drool: I bet it never get's old... I can't believe how many fish fall victom to your ray!!! Have you thought of moving him? To bad you can't just point him at the ones you wouldn't mind being removed instead of your prize aro's...lol

[Smorgousford]

Absolutely amazing!

[arapaimag]

Such a wonderfull tank, I would love to see feeding day:drool: I bet it never get's old... I can't believe how many fish fall victom to your ray!!! Have you thought of moving him? To bad you can't just point him at the ones you wouldn't mind being removed instead of your prize aro's...lol

The ray is now in an 800 and not bothering anybody in the 15K anymore.

[doubledragon]

The ray is now in an 800 and not bothering anybody in the 15K anymore.

That's good to hear. I can't imagine the thought and commitement that is involved on your part when you run into the headache of a bully in your big tank's. It's not like you can just net them out very easily and move them.

[arapaimag]

That's good to hear. I can't imagine the thought and commitement that is involved on your part when you run into the headache of a bully in your big tank's. It's not like you can just net them out very easily and move them.

I actually moved him because he was being attacked by a giraffe catfish. Simon from Big Al's Oakville came over with a friend John. Simon went into the tank and caught both the Ray and the Giraffe. I figured this way I could move either of them back into the 15K later if I wanted.

However the Ray looks good and is doing well in the 800 with a couple of cuban gars and a Temensis that Neoprodigy gave me last October. The Giraffe (26" total length) is in a 225 and will probably be the one going back to the 15K.

[flowerhornATTACK]

u got some nice fish

[Xaztur]

That's the kind of tank I'm sure most people can only dream of owning.

[kunaonetanaona]

Feeding time would be interesting...

[arapaimag]

You are right and then we can change this site to Minifishkeepers.

[ahya2006]

how long it took for your dovi to grow that big

[arapaimag]

He was purchased at 7" in 1996. He maxed about 2 years ago and now like an old man is shrinking.

[arapaimag]

It was great meeting many of you at the Ohio Cichlid Association Conference in Cleveland on the weekend. It looks like everyone had a fantastic time and it was a fine tribute they made to our late friend Stuart Grant who actually came from Africa and visited and saw me and played in my tanks with Ad Konings and Tom Herman in March of2000.

[Opiate]

truely inspirational!! :drool:

[Anarchy]

im speechless!!!!!

[ccdoido]

hey great aqaurium i'm building a 10000 gallon tank i need info on that please help

[arapaimag]

hey great aqaurium i'm building a 10000 gallon tank i need info on that please help


How many tanks are you building?

On one of the other articles you were also doing a 14,000 but that one was all glass. I have no expertise in that large an all glass tank.

MFK has a large number of hobbyists who have built large tanks made of concrete, steel and glass combinations. Mine and their descriptions on construction would help you if you choose to build a similiar tank.

[ch08]

Again, this tank is amazing and I hope that you don't get any earthquakes where you live.