Advanced reefkeeper coming back into FW... Questions for Aro Experts

[STUN]

Hey all,

First off, great site! I joined some time ago, but have never posted - I've been a lurker in the Aro foum all along. Anyways, I've been into SW reef tanks for about six years now and have "lost the bug" shall we say for many of the coral that I keep. I'm actually in the middle of a dream reef tank build, and I'm strongly considering stopping the build before I 100% dwell into it. The tank is set-up for SPS (Small Polyp Scleractinians) and dwarf angles (Centropyge species).

On to FW, I've kept many FW species over the years, including a couple Arowanas: two Osteoglossum bicirrhosum (at different times) and a Scleropages jardini. Both my silvers attained HUGE sizes and I eventually sold them when I went further into reefkeeping. Well, I'm back - and ready for the Aro I've always wanted, a Super Red Scleropages formosus. They're by far my favorite fish in the world - much moreso than any SW counterpart, and with all the money I was dropping into the reef build I had to sit back and think what would make me the MOST happy... needless to say it was NOT a reef with SPS and angels like I thought, but an Asian Arowana.

The tank I have is a 183gal AGE, ~ 122 x 90 x 60cm (48"x36"x24"). I paid more than a pretty penny for it, and if the Aro will outgrow this relatively quickly I'd just assume sell it and get a new "standard" 180gal @ 6'x2'x2'. Here are a couple pics:

Being rimless, I'd obviously have to build some type of a canopy for this tank.





So I've a couple questions for the Aro experts out there:

1. What type of filtration is the most efficient, or considered "best" these days?

-In the SW world we rely heavily on beneficial bacteria on the "Live Rock" and "Live Sand" to break down nutrients (same happens in FW filters), along with powerfull "Protein Skimmers/Foam Fractioners" (don't work efficiently in FW).

-Back when I kept lots of FW I mainly relied on Canister filters or Wet/Dry type filters. Pluses/Minuses to both while keeping an Aro? Do you prefer inlet/outlet lines coming over the back (as with a Canister filter) or an Overflow box or PVC Standpipes? I want to do this right the first time, with all things taken account for.

2. What kind of top/canopy do you use/recommend?

-When I kept my large Silver Aro I built a canopy that was ~30 cm tall with sliding doors on the front. The water line was basically at the rim of the tank.

-I've seen many tanks with the water line kept lower than the trim, which would allow the Aro to jump a bit without nailing himself on the trim, top or canopy... is this the best/preffered method, over bulding a canopy as I had previosly?

3. Lighting?

-I've read various things on lighting, from low-to med/high light, and was curious as to what's "standard" Aro lighting, and I'd choose from there. Lighting is complex and heavily debated in reefkeeping, from T5s to MHs to LEDs... I'd think there is much less to it for Aros assuming the spectrum is relevant. I definitely woudl LOVE to have a ground cover plant of some type if possible, but that's a whole nother ball game compared to running BB.

4. Parameters?

-What parameters are best for Asian Aros? I have a full RO/DI system for my reef, and I used to keep and breed Discus a long while back so I'm familiar with aging water and getting the KH/GH to the correct levels... what's best for Asians?

-pH, KH, GH, temp, NO3 must be lower than?

5. Tankmates

-If I go this route, the Asian Aro will be the King of his/her tank, and more than likely be the ONLY fish. Potentially a bottom feeder or two, and I've also pondered a few Discus... thoughts?




I'm sure I'll have a few more questions along the way here... thanks so much for reading my ungodly long post. Any input is greatly appreciated!!! I'm very excited to learn what you guys think, and cannot wait to have my DREAM FISH!!!

(BTW - feels very weird posting something like this... I'm a newb all over again!)

 

[ctoychik]

It just so happens i willbe trying out SW filtration set-up for aros as well.... my LFS said that SW filtration is an overkill for FW, but i am trying it out anyway.

4' is a bit short for Asian aro (though i have seen them kept in these size ... successfully?) ...3' width is perfect

If you do go 6' then make sure it is 3' wide (don't know if it is possible to go wider)

6.5 ph is supposedly best for asian aros. NO3 should be less than 40. NO2 and ammonia supposedly 0. Water temp 31C.... i salt my tanks

 

[T]

hrmm wel from what i know. the saltwater filtration is probably wayyy better then most freshwater filtrations needed to keep fish. and your probably gonna need lids for your tank because there jumpers. and ull need a heater instead of a cooler or whatever its called. and just fish food hahah? good choice on the super red. funny how people think. they always want what they dont have. cuz i want a reef tank

 

[STUN]

Thanks for the reply ctoychik!

What kind of SW filtration will you be trying? Skimmer?

For the tank size, I think I'll sell this one and get a standard 180 gal for a while (6' x 2' x 2' or 2.5' wide for 200 gal if price is right). I will be moving into a different house in the next 1-2 years, so I will go bigger then... real big Hopefully 8 x 4 x 2

 

[STUN]

the saltwater filtration is probably wayyy better then most freshwater filtrations needed to keep fish.

The basic principals are the same... but we have the benefit of Live Rock... essentially a rock FULL of beneficial bacteria (as in a FW filter). In combination with an efficient protein skimmer, you don't have to run a Wet/Dry filter or the like.

and your probably gonna need lids for your tank because there jumpers. and ull need a heater instead of a cooler or whatever its called.

Oh yea, lids/canopy are a must on any tank... this one would be harder to do!

Yep no chiller and high bills to run a chiller and lights

and just fish food hahah? good choice on the super red. funny how people think. they always want what they dont have. cuz i want a reef tank

I love super reds

I'll still have a reef tank... just a little guy though

 

[perfect_prefect]

well i cant be of much help to you on your line of questioning, im still learning myself (8" silver) but personally i would def. go with the canopy like your old set up, and not lowering the water level, just make sure if your aro jumps he lands back in the water that is the main concern, and concerning any room you give him above water level, the more the better. i plan to hang plexi sheets from my ceiling around the 3 open sides of my pond when my aro gets moved there.

 

[perfect_prefect]

go for the 200 instead of the 180, bigger is always better

 

[STUN]

personally i would def. go with the canopy like your old set up, and not lowering the water level, just make sure if your aro jumps he lands back in the water that is the main concern, and concerning any room you give him above water level, the more the better.

I'm wondering if people have had their arowana jump and hurt itself on the black plastic dividers (that's on most tanks)?

That would make me want to lower the water level and just keep glass tops on it. I remember my silver doing something like that before... but I don't want there to be any chance for the asian to damage its scales.

If I made a canopy and filled to the top, I would think he could/might hit those dividers?



That sounds like a great plan for your silver! I did something similar with some acrylic around a pond for my silver when it grew real big. It was a plastic in-ground formed pond liner that I brought inside and set-up... my roomate walked in just after I set it up and his face:

 

[David R]

Going for the 180g instead of that tank would be a good idea, 4' isn't really long enough for an aro to stretch its legs.

1. What type of filtration is the most efficient, or considered "best" these days?

I'd go for a wet/dry trickle filter sump set up, as I hate dealing with canister filters. Depends on tankmates and how heavily stocked the tank is.

2. What kind of top/canopy do you use/recommend?

I always have glass lids weighted down with rocks, the canopy is just for looks so could be how ever you like.

3. Lighting?

Koji has done a good post (stickied at the top of the forum) on tanning aro's, should have all the info in there.

4. Parameters?

The RO system will be overkill, I don't think asians are any more difficult than other aros and if you can keep the water somewhere around 26-28C, and 6.5-7.5pH will be fine. With large predators eating heaps of meaty food you need to do regular large water changes, so how ever it comes out of the tap is good, having it consistant is more important than bang on the right pH etc.

5. Tankmates
Discus could work, you'd want to start off with large discus though! The biggest challenge would be keeping the water clean enough with the high protein foods.
Geophagus/earth eaters make good tankmates too, interesting and colourful with out detracting too much from the aro. I love the look of one big asian with a groups of large bichirs on the bottom, so thats another option.

 

[Bderick67]

Can't really comment on the asian aro but if you are going to buy a different tank I would recommend getting one that is 30" wide instead of the 24" the 180g provides. Once your aro is full grown the extra 6" will make a difference.

Filtration is as much preference as anything. You can get quality out of either sumps or canisters. Each have advantages and disadvantages. Myself I do like to have redundant filtration.