Aquaria Central

[rumblesushi]

I must say, some of the people at AC seem to have a very closed minded attitude.

I've always appreciated properly aquascaped tanks, dutch style and dmack style, but I have come to realize that the Asian Style bare bottom monster tank is no worse by any means.

And just through experiments of my own, it seems if you give fish enough space, pristine water and good food, they thrive and they are happy, and could care less about substrate and decor. My fish are now in an almost bare tank, very small amount of sand, couple of bits of driftwood, they are happy, healthy and active. None of the bichirs, catfish or cichlids even use the driftwood, only the raphael.

Some of the BEST looking aros and stingrays I've seen have been kept in bare bottom tanks, sometimes crowded. That alone should tell you something, and open your eyes.

If you have good enough filtration, food, room and WC regime, the fish are happy.

It's just incredibly ignorant to dismiss this type of fishkeeping. It's certainly more advanced and challening keeping a stocked monster tank than a community aquarium.

 

[dougall]

They might be tasting vodka......

there's no might about it...


Of course, some might be tasting sloe gin..

 

[sumthin fishy]

This discussion might be better held in another thread, but basically it is 2 different schoals of thought(pun intended ) At AC we try to encourage fishkeeping that will allow the fish to display natural behaviors. Trying to keep them in as close to thier natural environments as possible. This means allowing the fish plenty of room to exercise, explore and do all thier fishy things. To do this with an arro you would need a tank that is at least 10 feet long and 10 feet wide for example. Theres no doubt the fish kept in smaller tanks with good filtration are healthy, but you will not get those natural behaviors when they have only a bodys width of space to turn arround. Im not saying one way is right or wrong. So long as the fish are cared for it's all good to me. Thats why this relationship between the two boards is such a good thing. We can see the other side of the coin. Sure some people will get little overpassionate about it. That just showes they love fish

 

[sumthin fishy]

there's no might about it...


Of course, some might be tasting sloe gin..

Told you he was a red commie bastard.

And I only drank sloe gin cuz I ran out of milk for my rice crispies!

 

[Rbishop]

I think many styles of fish keeping are perfectly acceptable, not only the ones here at MFK, but at AC also.

A large per centage of the members at AC are newbies to the world of aquaria and fish keeping in general. They have already had all their knowledge fulfilled by myths, ill-trained LFS employees, and what they remember from when they use to have fish 20 years ago.

They locate AC, or some other site, and get told that most everything they are doing is wrong. Depending on how the information is delivered, it can be received from a positive or negative point of view, and often taken as a personal insult.

Often they go into information overload and easily get frustrated. Some are in such dire need of advice they will jump on the first piece of advice they get in response to their post, even if it is from somebody dishing out bad advice. They do not always read all the info presented and do not necessarliy comprehend all that is being said. They grasp at whatever new info is being presented as their new gospel.

While many things can be done in keeping fish, I think there is a need to lead them through the process in a effective manner. A lot of experienced fish keepers know stuff that has become second nature to them, but it is 4 levels beyond the new individual. What may be routine for us and not even questionable, is all but incomprehensible to them.

With all the talent and experience on these three sites, (MFK, AC, AP) I believe we can work cohesively to present individual viewpoints without labeling or argueing to death, opposing thoughts.

I am looking forward to more posting from members at all sites to expand our knowledge and providing ahealthy enviorenment for our fish. Presentation of your ideas on fishkeeping is vital. If necessary, agree to disagree.

 

[rumblesushi]

This discussion might be better held in another thread, but basically it is 2 different schoals of thought(pun intended ) At AC we try to encourage fishkeeping that will allow the fish to display natural behaviors. Trying to keep them in as close to thier natural environments as possible. This means allowing the fish plenty of room to exercise, explore and do all thier fishy things. To do this with an arro you would need a tank that is at least 10 feet long and 10 feet wide for example. Theres no doubt the fish kept in smaller tanks with good filtration are healthy, but you will not get those natural behaviors when they have only a bodys width of space to turn arround. Im not saying one way is right or wrong. So long as the fish are cared for it's all good to me. Thats why this relationship between the two boards is such a good thing. We can see the other side of the coin. Sure some people will get little overpassionate about it. That just showes they love fish

Have you noticed different behaviour in aros kept in public aquarium size tanks compared to say a 180 or 240? Because I haven't

I'm by no means an advocate of cramming fish into tanks, but as long as the fish has enough room to move around, has good water, and good food, it's behaviour is going to change very little. Maybe less territorial in a huge tank, that's it.

Strangely enough when I moved my aro from a 60 growout to a 190 he became even more aggressive.

 

[rallysman]

Have you noticed different behaviour in aros kept in public aquarium size tanks compared to say a 180 or 240? Because I haven't

I'm by no means an advocate of cramming fish into tanks, but as long as the fish has enough room to move around, has good water, and good food, it's behaviour is going to change very little. Maybe less territorial in a huge tank, that's it.

Strangely enough when I moved my aro from a 60 growout to a 190 he became even more aggressive.

Actually, My arowanas are much more active than the ones that are at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. (silvers and blacks included)

 

[ewurm]

Have a drink! I've had several


Del, what do you drink? Pucker?

MFK style! Get drunk, think about going for a swim in your tank. LOL

 

[rumblesushi]

Actually, My arowanas are much more active than the ones that are at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. (silvers and blacks included)

It doesn't surprise me at all, there's more to a fish being happy than just space. In fact I've even experienced the odd fish being more active, happy and hungry in smaller tanks.

 

[dacox]

It doesn't surprise me at all, there's more to a fish being happy than just space. In fact I've even experienced the odd fish being more active, happy and hungry in smaller tanks.

I agree. Look at Del's silver. She's well cared for and has even laid eggs in a tank that people think is too small. IMO, breeding activity is the epitome of exhibiting natural behavior (which I also think is a good judge of a fish's well-being), and his is showing that in a 180.