Cats for a 550

[Chicxulub]

Hypothetically speaking, of course. But kinda not. I may be going back after my old DIY tank and with some slight changes to the design to get 550 instead of 510 on a 4x8 footprint, I'm considering a cat-based tank. Here's what I'm thinking:

Blue cat
Juruense
Fasciatum TSN
Rita rita
Rutilus/lica/suchus
Giraffe cat

I'm also probably going to have a few native bullheads and other smaller cats in it, as well as a few mid and top level fish. Since I can't have ATF any more, I'm kind of defaulting to my first love in the hobby, cats. I'd like to hear any input.

I'd love to have something from Europe and Australia as well, but I don't want a Wels because of the size, Aristotle cats are non-existent in the hobby and I've never seen an Aussie cat come stateside. I suppose that one of the smaller Silurus from Asia could act as a reasonable analog for a Wels, however.

I'm also sorely tempted to make this tank a Brachyplatystoma filamentosum specimen tank, that is of course assuming that I can find one! (and my wife doesn't kill me from spending a used car's worth of money on a fish!)

 

[cgibby]

if I ever decide to sell mine you or viktor have first shot


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[rodger]

OK, so get to work on it!
I take it you are on your first wife and still consult her on such things?

 

[predatorkeeper87]

oi...if I had the money/time to devote to a 550...all I can see if a sweet as hell NA native setup...channel cat, bull cat, blue gill, sunnies, perch.....gaaaaaaaaaah.

but enough about my hopes and dreams, I think that cat setup would be sweet! get on it!

 

[MoNsTeR FiS]

[FONT=arial, sans-serif]I would get a Bagarius sp.[/FONT]

 

[rodger]

oi...if I had the money/time to devote to a 550...all I can see if a sweet as hell NA native setup...channel cat, bull cat, blue gill, sunnies, perch.....gaaaaaaaaaah.

but enough about my hopes and dreams, I think that cat setup would be sweet! get on it!

If you build it yourself it doesn't take that much money. If you put an auto drip in it won't take up a lot of time.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

If you build it yourself it doesn't take that much money. If you put an auto drip in it won't take up a lot of time.

Around here...glass isn't cheap. I got a quote for a custom tank size (it came to +/-140gal) and that price went WAAAAAAAAAAY over 400 for the glass alone. add in the fact that the glass guys were 100% certain that I couldnt build a tank and that the glass wouldnt hold blah blah blah...I just said noooo thank you lol

granted that it would be cheaper than buying a manufactured tank...but not everyone in the hobby can blow that kinda money unfortunately...

the time thing really isnt that big of an issue I guess, but ya a drip would definitely cut down on time haha.

 

[LiamIrons]

Get a luciopimelodus pati. Probably the best catfish i've ever kept

 

[Chicxulub]

I'm also kinda thinking about a combo of blue cat, piraiba, HLG, wels. Unfortunately, I realize that would become untenable rather quickly, even for a 4x8 footprint tank.

OK, so get to work on it!
I take it you are on your first wife and still consult her on such things?

Yep. Us young'uns need permission still!

Was that you who commented on Wes' FB post about the piraiba?

[FONT=arial, sans-serif]I would get a Bagarius sp.[/FONT]

I have Bagarius rutilus listed.

If you build it yourself it doesn't take that much money. If you put an auto drip in it won't take up a lot of time.

A drip is a definite for this tank!

Around here...glass isn't cheap. I got a quote for a custom tank size (it came to +/-140gal) and that price went WAAAAAAAAAAY over 400 for the glass alone. add in the fact that the glass guys were 100% certain that I couldnt build a tank and that the glass wouldnt hold blah blah blah...I just said noooo thank you lol

granted that it would be cheaper than buying a manufactured tank...but not everyone in the hobby can blow that kinda money unfortunately...

the time thing really isnt that big of an issue I guess, but ya a drip would definitely cut down on time haha.

The way to get around the cost of glass or acrylic is to build your tank in plywood, fiberglass it and then only use enough glass/acrylic to put in a window. My total investment in the tank thus far is under $600. I expect to spend another $100 to $150 on waterproofing and some Weld-On 40 for the window. It might never be as pretty as an off the shelf tank, but if it holds water reliably, who cares? lol

Get a luciopimelodus pati. Probably the best catfish i've ever kept

I actually REALLY like those guys!

 

[LiamIrons]

I'm also kinda thinking about a combo of blue cat, piraiba, HLG, wels. Unfortunately, I realize that would become untenable rather quickly, even for a 4x8 footprint tank.



Yep. Us young'uns need permission still!

Was that you who commented on Wes' FB post about the piraiba?




I have Bagarius rutilus listed.




A drip is a definite for this tank!




The way to get around the cost of glass or acrylic is to build your tank in plywood, fiberglass it and then only use enough glass/acrylic to put in a window. My total investment in the tank thus far is under $600. I expect to spend another $100 to $150 on waterproofing and some Weld-On 40 for the window. It might never be as pretty as an off the shelf tank, but if it holds water reliably, who cares? lol




I actually REALLY like those guys!

It is definitely worth trying to track a pati down.. has the personality of a RTC/TSN but looks much more attractive... never stops swimming aswell