Arowana Tank Setup

[Zhewitt04]

I am resealing my 240 gallon tank currently. It is coming together nicely. I am wanting to stay away from a sump. I used to have salt water tanks and the risk for flooding is just to high for me with the sump. I am going to use 2 canister filters. The link is below.

http://www.aquatraders.com/Aquarium-Canister-Filter-Odyssea-CFS-700-p/42051.htm

I am wondering on what type of additional flow I will need. The filters will have is rated at 700 gph figuring in head loss and such probably looking at 500 gph to the actual tank. I'll have 2 of these so overall I'll have about 1000 gph in the tank. How much more flow should I add for an arowana?

Also any advise on the substrate. I don't really like the bare bottom look and have had great luck with pool filter sand in my cichlid tanks. Thoughts?

Last question... what kind of heater do I need? I have never had a tank this larger. My largest was a 150 before this. I want this to be efficient and not kill me on my electric bill. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

 

[DN328]

Are you adding anything else besides the Arowana? Based on your estimates, your turnover is about 4x, so that may be fine for FW. There are some that wouldn't have less than 10x. I raise that as you'll likely get a spectrum of answers there.

In terms of additional flow, I like to place the return lines such that you're getting surface agitation for increased oxygen. There's always powerheads to help water movement. You may also want to have a closed loop circulation if you have the option to and/or want to put in the effort. I can't say if the Arowanas really care for higher water flow, and that would be more for your tank environment, filtration and water quality.

I'm a fan of using more than one heater either with (preferred) or without thermostat, then have a controller. That's for redundancy in case your heater thermostat fails.

 

[Zhewitt04]

Are you adding anything else besides the Arowana? Based on your estimates, your turnover is about 4x, so that may be fine for FW. There are some that wouldn't have less than 10x. I raise that as you'll likely get a spectrum of answers there.

In terms of additional flow, I like to place the return lines such that you're getting surface agitation for increased oxygen. There's always powerheads to help water movement. You may also want to have a closed loop circulation if you have the option to and/or want to put in the effort. I can't say if the Arowanas really care for higher water flow, and that would be more for your tank environment, filtration and water quality.

I'm a fan of using more than one heater either with (preferred) or without thermostat, then have a controller. That's for redundancy in case your heater thermostat fails.

I am also wanting to get a few peacock bass of some sort. Some jaguars and maybe a ray someday.

 

[nmadsen4]

what are the dimensions of your 240? If it's an 8x2x2 then I think it's a bit small for a Silver Aro. I had a Jardini, which are known to be smaller, in a 6x2x2 and it wasnt long before that was too tight. It's your width that is the issue. Adding peacock bass and a ray is absolutely out of the question in my opinion.

As for flow, substrate and heater...... I think the flow is fine, most any substrate would be fine, sand is good because I've seen an aro swallow a rock before but that's probably very uncommon. Just put 2 heaters in the tank, depending on temperament, you may need a guard to prevent the aro from smashing them. Silver's are typically not too bad.

 

[Zhewitt04]

what are the dimensions of your 240? If it's an 8x2x2 then I think it's a bit small for a Silver Aro. I had a Jardini, which are known to be smaller, in a 6x2x2 and it wasnt long before that was too tight. It's your width that is the issue. Adding peacock bass and a ray is absolutely out of the question in my opinion.

As for flow, substrate and heater...... I think the flow is fine, most any substrate would be fine, sand is good because I've seen an aro swallow a rock before but that's probably very uncommon. Just put 2 heaters in the tank, depending on temperament, you may need a guard to prevent the aro from smashing them. Silver's are typically not too bad.

Yeah its 8 x 2 x 2. That's too small? I see people have full grown arowana in a 150. I am a newb so I am not being a smart ass I am just curious as to why not. I know they get 3 feet but with 8 feet to swim in and 2 feet to turn around seems like a lot.

 

[nmadsen4]

Although Silver's are very flexible. It would be quite difficult to turn around when it's 36" long in a tank that's only 24". I know you're banking on the 8 ft to help but really it's just the width that I would be concerned with. Maybe someone with more experience specifically with Silver's should chime in, I only have personal experience with Jardini.