Advice: Big Tank Or Pondarium?

Hi MFK Community,

I was hoping you knowledgeable folks would give me some advice on my upcoming project, it is in planning phase only atm, however the decision has been made to go ahead, now its just deciding which avenue to take.

My situation is we are in Sydney in a 1920s californian bungalow house, with pine floors. I would love to get a monster tank inside, however reinforcing the floors (knowledge gained from other threads on this forum) to take the size tank we are planning would require too much work+investment. So I am left with the garage, which I believe will transform into a fish room with ease. Its on a slab, slab is approx 40cm at one end and 20cm the other. And yes, definitely secure and lockable.

Want this to be a monster setup, looking to keep RTC, Aros, gator gar, pacu, anything else rare and big that I can manage to procure. The ultimate being an arapaima, but cannot find even a sniff of one of these guys in Aus anymore.

Option 1: Tank: Am looking at having a custom tank made, a couple of possible sizes. looking at 10x4x4 or possibly 10x3x6 (6 high). Professionally constructed 19mm glass all round extra bracing. Then cut out a couple of holes in the walls of the garage (Asbestos, yay!) to be able to view the tank from the backyard also. Will make some fitting to cover the wall holes for the majority of the time, and just have it open when desired. Standard weir, sump (maybe 6ft, maybe 8ft?) etc.

Option 2: Pondarium: most likely 2.5m x 2.5m by 2m tall, viewing window made out of acrylic or plexi, about 2400mm wide and about 1m tall. placed at the front of the tank/pond, at the top, so the water level is across the top of the plexi, if you get what I mean. Intend to 3D model and create this properly with an aquaponics element to it for filtration, (and garden watering). (as well as proper mechanical filtration - Pool Filter? and a good UV setup) Would love to make it contoured, and more natural looking than square, however intend to do this ourselves. And had thought I would investigate a pool mob to see about pebblecreteing the inside of the pond to at least give it a bit more of a natural look than plain concrete. Had it loosly priced by a professional pond group, who suggested there wouldn't be much change from 20k. Material costings we have come to is 5k inc plexi. Couldn't stomach paying an extra 15k for labour. And we are *quite* handy.

So, what do you guys reckon? Both would be pretty sexy. And yes I realize that if I were to ever find an arapiama either of these setups is only an interim measure. And thats fine, eventually we will go bigger in the pond anyway, and I have no interest in keeping the fish in a space too small for them. And so their space will grow as they require it too.

What do you prefer?

Can you think of any suggestions? Potential problems I haven't thought of?

Other fish for the stocklist?

Thanks in advance,

BK

Hi Mate, thanks for your reply, I will ensure to keep a thread alive whichever way we end up going. Plenty of pics I promise.

Hi Squirtle, seen you around a bit, thanks for the reply, ( Not exactly relevant - but dude, whenever I see your posts, I get captivated by your signature GIF. mmmmm)

I was thinking about the tank first, by way of a grow out of sorts. Also Tank would take roughly 1 - 2 months to build and accumulate everything. Pond more like at least 4 months (we work full time and with winter sunlight working hours will be restricted to weekends only). TBH pond is prob more like 6 - 9months of slow work. So I think you may be on the right track mate.

Which fish I mention are noxious? I didnt think any were, although all grey I thought. Man it really is hard to know what you can legally have and what you can't. EG, can you legally purchase and keep an asian aro if it was bred here (unmicrochipped?)

I've got a line on all those fish (not acquired yet) with the exception of gigas. Any regard him as the crowing jewel. So its a glaring omission. Dude, if you hear of any of those babies coming up again, regardless of price please let me know, I've got a pretty decent network of grey fish dudes in Sydney. but as mentioned never, not in 5 or more years of searching have I seen a gigas for sale. Its my grail.

I know dude, not a spastic, and thats why the lines around growing with the fish's requirements. the 2.5 x 2.5 should only house one for about 5 years (from a Juvi) in my estimation, and that depends on growth rate, it may well be shorter than that. Thats cool. Honestly I will build the 50000 + 15000 gallon ulitimate 'pima tank I believe we would all be familiar with, when/if required. - Also on the long term radar is the possibility of turning our pool into a pond. Don't worry man, as I said I have no interest in keeping the fish in a space thats too small for him. (Neither in an 'Asian' type set up, where its bare glass and fish)

2 worst things a fishkeeper can do IMO - 1. Keep the fish in a space thats too small, 2. release any fish into the waterways. - Anyone guilty of either of these crimes should be shot.

Cheers Squirtle,

BK