Hi MFK.
I have been in this hobby for a few years now, and has been fascinated by some of the monster tanks and fish owned by members here. It is my dream to own such a tank, but before that, I would really want to know what it would take to maintain such a tank and take care these large animals for 20+ years.
Noted that it is a hypothetical question, and I am no where close to having the space, nor the cash to start this project. I just want to see if it's practical for me to handle such a tank, especially if I will likely have to do everything alone.
Let's just say it will be a 4m*3m*1.5m tank, so nearly 5000 gallon. It would probably be made with concrete blocks and has a single viewing window in front, though any alternative suggestions is welcome.
So, here are the questions I can think of now.
1. First of all, stocking. I haven't made up my mind yet, but I probably should give you a general idea of what I have in mind so that you can give me more precise suggestions. Now, a TSN as the centerpiece is the first priority to me. I suppose a 5000 gallon tank should be enough for one judging from what I see, but would also like to listen to experienced keepers. Does the proposed tank seem to be a good life-time enclosure for a TSN? Other interesting tankmates include a few Peacock bass, an Arowana for the top water, some rays, and a group of Pacu/Giant gourami. Does this looks like a sound plan? Also, would want another kind of schooling fish that would not be swallowed by the TSN.
2. I suppose I have to get most of the fish mentioned above when they are small, so basically I will have to grow them out in smaller tanks first. The thing is though, I may not have that many space for separate grow out tanks dedicated to each species, and that the different growth rate of fish could make putting them in a single grow out tank a bad idea. What do you guys do when you start building your monster tank from scratches.
3. The tank will most likely be an indoor tank. With that much water indoor, moisture would be a problem. How do you tackle this? And is there any other problem you will face with this large body of water?
4. What is your WC schedule for these tanks? Something like 50% per week like your everyday normal tank, or you actually don't have to do that much for such a large tank?
5. How do you medicate your fish? Medicating the whole tank will be extremely expensive, and would potentially damage your other healthy fish. Do you actually have to prepare another closure for your 2ft+ monster fish?
6. Decorations. My plan is to give it a sand substrate, together with large rocks and woods. Noticed that none of the 1000+ gallon tanks I have seen have plants in it, obviously because of the difficulty of reaching the substrate and lighting. Wondering if it's possible to plant some big plants though. Something like Giant vallis. It's not really important, since it's more for my eyes than the sake of the fish.
That's about all the questions I could think of now. Would really like to hear your monster tanks owners' experience. Thanks all.
I have been in this hobby for a few years now, and has been fascinated by some of the monster tanks and fish owned by members here. It is my dream to own such a tank, but before that, I would really want to know what it would take to maintain such a tank and take care these large animals for 20+ years.
Noted that it is a hypothetical question, and I am no where close to having the space, nor the cash to start this project. I just want to see if it's practical for me to handle such a tank, especially if I will likely have to do everything alone.
Let's just say it will be a 4m*3m*1.5m tank, so nearly 5000 gallon. It would probably be made with concrete blocks and has a single viewing window in front, though any alternative suggestions is welcome.
So, here are the questions I can think of now.
1. First of all, stocking. I haven't made up my mind yet, but I probably should give you a general idea of what I have in mind so that you can give me more precise suggestions. Now, a TSN as the centerpiece is the first priority to me. I suppose a 5000 gallon tank should be enough for one judging from what I see, but would also like to listen to experienced keepers. Does the proposed tank seem to be a good life-time enclosure for a TSN? Other interesting tankmates include a few Peacock bass, an Arowana for the top water, some rays, and a group of Pacu/Giant gourami. Does this looks like a sound plan? Also, would want another kind of schooling fish that would not be swallowed by the TSN.
2. I suppose I have to get most of the fish mentioned above when they are small, so basically I will have to grow them out in smaller tanks first. The thing is though, I may not have that many space for separate grow out tanks dedicated to each species, and that the different growth rate of fish could make putting them in a single grow out tank a bad idea. What do you guys do when you start building your monster tank from scratches.
3. The tank will most likely be an indoor tank. With that much water indoor, moisture would be a problem. How do you tackle this? And is there any other problem you will face with this large body of water?
4. What is your WC schedule for these tanks? Something like 50% per week like your everyday normal tank, or you actually don't have to do that much for such a large tank?
5. How do you medicate your fish? Medicating the whole tank will be extremely expensive, and would potentially damage your other healthy fish. Do you actually have to prepare another closure for your 2ft+ monster fish?
6. Decorations. My plan is to give it a sand substrate, together with large rocks and woods. Noticed that none of the 1000+ gallon tanks I have seen have plants in it, obviously because of the difficulty of reaching the substrate and lighting. Wondering if it's possible to plant some big plants though. Something like Giant vallis. It's not really important, since it's more for my eyes than the sake of the fish.
That's about all the questions I could think of now. Would really like to hear your monster tanks owners' experience. Thanks all.
