I first started my obsession with cichlids in the late 1950s and kept that obsession up (except for the timeI was drafted into the military in 69-71) up until about 3 years ago. I have been fishless and tankless since moving to Panama in 2015. The intricacies of learning a new style of life, in a new country, with new language tend to over ride such things. Beside that, tanks here are generally expensive, especially getting one “the size” I feel is appropriate for the cichlids I want, and that I feel they deserve.
Ad to that, I live on a tiny island 10 miles out in the Pacific where even cars are rare. Tanks here are basically unheard of, unless its a holding tank tied onto a buoy, and holding tonights dinner.
But last week I found one on Panama’s version of Craigs list, for sale, reasonably close to my regular dock. A 180 gal bow front (with everything included sumps, gear. lights, still haven’t had time to take inventory) all for $400.
That is of course, where the minimal cost ended. It had to be trucked to the dock in Panama City by 4 big guys,
who hefted it down a gangplank
to a prearranged, waiting boat, t
that motored the @1 hour stretch of Pacific, to the beach on Taboga,
where 4 other different big guys, strong enough to lift it from the ponga, wade thru the surf, to another waiting truck to be driven to my place down the road. Was quite the adventure, I am amazed it arrived with a crack. To be continued…..after 1st plant it, and then (?) catch some Panamanian cichlids.
Ad to that, I live on a tiny island 10 miles out in the Pacific where even cars are rare. Tanks here are basically unheard of, unless its a holding tank tied onto a buoy, and holding tonights dinner.
But last week I found one on Panama’s version of Craigs list, for sale, reasonably close to my regular dock. A 180 gal bow front (with everything included sumps, gear. lights, still haven’t had time to take inventory) all for $400.
That is of course, where the minimal cost ended. It had to be trucked to the dock in Panama City by 4 big guys,
who hefted it down a gangplank
to a prearranged, waiting boat, t
that motored the @1 hour stretch of Pacific, to the beach on Taboga,
where 4 other different big guys, strong enough to lift it from the ponga, wade thru the surf, to another waiting truck to be driven to my place down the road. Was quite the adventure, I am amazed it arrived with a crack. To be continued…..after 1st plant it, and then (?) catch some Panamanian cichlids.
