Tank size / foot print

If I am forced to choose between these two... I would go for 6x3. Should go for at least 2.5' for tank width.

I'd agree with that, though I found my green aro was starting to look too big for it's tank of the same dimensions by the time it got to about 18".
7x2.5x2' would be a good compromise between those two sizes if you can swing it!

David R said:

I'd agree with that, though I found my green aro was starting to look too big for it's tank of the same dimensions by the time it got to about 18".
7x2.5x2' would be a good compromise between those two sizes if you can swing it!

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Hi David

I knew u've sold ur green aro quite a while ago, but if I can just check, what was the size of the fish before u let it go? I want to have a better idea on how big my green would eventually grow to, and the best tank dimension to house a few reds & blues.

It was around 16-18" IIRC but I only had it for about 18 months, I sold it in anticipation of black arowana being imported for the first time in many years, still had plenty of growing to do.

I think that would be a pretty good home for an asian aro, longer would be better but I'd say it is far better than most end up with. Are all the big tanks over there mass-produced somewhere then sold at the LFS, do you not lave local tank makers who make them to order to your specs?

I would go 8x3

Damn!! Guess that is one of the beauties of a smaller country, we have a guy based two hours away who makes great tanks for very good prices (has a supply of cheap glass offcuts from the factory and just works out of a small shed), and he was happy to travell here to build mine on-site. $4k with overflows for an 8x3' must be using new glass, unless it is considerably taller than the 6x3' which would increase the glass thickness and cost considerably. I just looked up Fort St John on google maps and it does seem like you're a long way from anywhere, so I guess most things like that will cost a bit more than in the big city! Have you considered the DIY option?

IMO 6x3x2' would be better than 8x2x2', there is a bit less swimming space but the aro will have room to do more than just swim left-to-right.