blurock;2355763; said:Technically a growout works if you know you will have the means to get them the larger housing by the time that they will need it.... I did the same thing, where I got fish when I had a tank they couldn't live in for life, and upgraded as they grew... it works fine as long as you know for sure that you will be able to provide for them as they grow. I got big cats before I had my 300g and pool, but it was ok, cause I ended up getting the tank by the time they would need it. Theres no use having a huge tank for 3" fish. put two 4" channels in a 300g tank or pond, and they are going to get lost, and its going to be harder to care for them, theres alot of space for them to cover searching for food...
I got from his original post that he does not yet have the means to purchase the proper house when the fish will need it. As I'm sure you know, there are a bunch of more appropriate fish for a 29. A couple of pictus would give much the charm of channels without the ability to grow larger than the tank. When it becomes clear that the tank will actually be purchased, instead of some dream (I know cause I had these dreams when I was a younger hobbiest, and sometimes now), then go ahead and start the "grow out" process.
Also, a few 3in long cats in a 100 would only be unappealing to the hobbiests eye, not the catfish. Fish find food in acres of territory in the wild. I'm sure they would be able to do the same in a few square feet.