18 Tarpons in a 500g Square Tank

[littlewangzfan]

My friend's outdoor tank. Approximately 5 years old. Size ranging from 12 to 16 inches.
Diet: Pellets
Filtration: None
Substrate: None
Aeration: Single Air Pump
Water Changes: Relies on rain
There are days that you won't be able to see the fish because of the green water. I noticed lately that the edge of their gills are turning black, is that normal? Why are they still alive? I'm still a rookie in this hobby and its his tank. He's a good friend of mine and gave me permission to post this. I just want to know what you MFKers think.
P.S. Sorry for the crappy pics.

 

[limz_777]

not sure about the gills but i think your friend should provide some sort of filtration , if he's using air pump maybe he can consider using k1 media moving bed filtration , also water change thru rainwater , i presume its rain top-up ?

 

[barracuda123]

he needs a filter

 

[littlewangzfan]

not sure about the gills but i think your friend should provide some sort of filtration , if he's using air pump maybe he can consider using k1 media moving bed filtration , also water change thru rainwater , i presume its rain top-up ?

Correct.

he needs a filter

I tried my best in explaining to him the importance of nitrogen cycle, proper filtration, turnover rate, and bio media (w/c I learned from MFK, of course) but he still won't do it. I don't understand why. Oh yeah, he spends thousands of $$ on tanks like lately he ordered two 780g stock tanks from Aquatic Ecosystems but he won't spend a penny on filtration. He also has 5 giant gouramis, TF barbs and 4 pacus but the tankwater was too green so I didn't take a picture. I mean if I have that kind of money, it will be a different story.

 

[aquaman95]

send me his number ill call and explain proper fish care
all fish require some filtration all fish jolly the long drop (poop)

 

[lix.ma14]

jealous! He better take good care of them!

 

[limz_777]

[/COLOR]
Correct.


I tried my best in explaining to him the importance of nitrogen cycle, proper filtration, turnover rate, and bio media (w/c I learned from MFK, of course) but he still won't do it. I don't understand why. Oh yeah, he spends thousands of $$ on tanks like lately he ordered two 780g stock tanks from Aquatic Ecosystems but he won't spend a penny on filtration. He also has 5 giant gouramis, TF barbs and 4 pacus but the tankwater was too green so I didn't take a picture. I mean if I have that kind of money, it will be a different story.

he just fill up the tank with water then add the tarpons ?

 

[Arowana1]

That's kind of crazy no filtration with those fish and that size of a tank.

 

[jlnguyen74]

There's no filter in lake, river, or ocean... That's how fish live!

 

[MyGiants]

YOu say he's had them for 5 years. Its hard to believe they lived that long with no filtration just rain for any new water. Either he does more frequent water changes manually and not telling you the truth which seems more likely. That water looks pretty clear for just an air bubblier.