Don't want to make the common mistake.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
in such a big tank you will have a few years to enjoy your fish before you need an upgrade so i would say don't miss the opportunity of getting a true wet pet
 
LOL Glad to hear that your one of the few that realize their limits to owning one of these monsters, I have to agree with Bgonz and Wolf to a point but as has already been mentioned... you wanted to know if that size tank would be suitable for LIFE and it could be... but doubtfully unfortunatly.
In aquariua the reason for a RTC to not reach 4' is simply that most owners can't keep them that long and are all to often looking to give them away or sell them long before that as they are a real time/money consuming pet to own. Those that are actually in it for the long haul will often see them grow to 4'+ as it is not uncommon for an aged RTC to reach this size.

If you would consider adding a foot the width... I think you'd have a life tank though ... although not ideal... it would be for life IMO... Just keep in mind that these fish have a reputation for laying around doing nothing but waiting for their next meal but they do "hunt" the tank when the lights go out...Personally I wouldn't want to give them less space to hunt... I would go for as much as I can provide :D

RTC's are one of the most interesting and smartest fish I've ever seen, and owned for that matter... so keep that in mind when your looking at some of those less interesting fish that you want to replace it with LOL :grinno:
 
basslover34;1435766; said:
Already mentioned that this would be it's home for life... no upgrades LOL
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my mistake then
i think i also belong to the group that asks for bigger tanks lol:D
 
headbanger_jib;1435783; said:
my mistake then
i think i also belong to the group that asks for bigger tanks lol:D
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Nothing wrong with saying bigger is better... it typically is better.. just might not be something that everyone can do...Even a guppy is better off in a bigger tank... just is it really needed is the question...then it becomes a case of personal preference... which some people beleive that a guppy in a shot glass (yes I've actually seen someone keep a guppy in a shot glass, one of those tall ones) is enough, while others believe that you need a 20 gallon for that guppy... it's the personal choice of each to do what they feel is best and needed for the tank ... kind of like people who have 200 square foot apartments vs people who have 20000 square foot mansions... it's all relative to what you can afford and what you feel is needed.

Some people harpe on RTC's not needing alot of space quite often, and on this we have disagreed before, but I do respect the experience which some of them have, simply beleive that there is more to life for a pet fish than sitting in a tank that is hardly larger than it is and not being able to cruise over to another area and find a new spot to chill out for awhile, When your a 3ft fish in a 6ft tank .. it kind of makes it difficult to do LOL adding hiding spaces uses up the little square footage you already have (Yes large RTC's still like to hide if they can) and they are all very active ... even though you don't see it often they are "hunting" in their tanks all night...so giving them the space to do so will only help their natural instincts and can only help to make them happier IMO.
 
I'm positive that the tigrinus will grow larger than 2' in a 700 gallon tank. I'd expect it to be around 2 and 1/2 feet long maybe even more because you'll have it for so long. (it should be fine in your tank though) I don't know how interactive tigrinus are because I've never personally owned one.

I still think you'll need 3/4" glass, and that's what my math said, but with the help form your engineering buddies I'm sure you can make it work. :D

If you don't mind me asking, Can I buy some glass? PM me.

mick11;1435586; said:
I'm sort of looking at the tigrinus now. Some places say max size at 2'. I would think a 8' by 4' footprint could hold one of those for life.

I would really like a cool cat. Too see how the RTCs came to the owner when he tapped the glass was too cool.

I plan to fiberglass/epoxy the outside of the tank as well. I work in aviation and newer aircraft have more and more composite structures. An outside wrap on a plywood tank would really increase the strength at the joints. My biggest fear will always be the glass or acrylic. The bigger tank will be braced to my friends, who are strength engineers at my company, recomendations.

Thanks again for taking time with my questions.

I'll be picking up two 8' by 22" by 1/2" tempered glass sheets next week.
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What about dropping height to 30"? 240 (8' by 2' by 2') have 1/2 inch float glass. It's not tempered. Could I get that extra 6" with tempered glass.

Thanks again for all the great input.

Current tank is only a 6' 125 gallon with Juvie F1 Frontosa Kitumbas. Looking to get some bigger tanks, especially that the most expenise part of a plywood tank is given to me free.
 
althou the tig is a nice catfish it dosnt compare to the personality of rtc i had apair for over 15 years that i lost over ten years ago because of a power cut. They were over afoot long when i got them back then 25 years ago there wasnt any baby rct around only wild imports they were always over a foot long .They spent about 2years in 500 gallon tank and got to about 28 and 30 inches i then built a 1200 gallon plywood and fiberglass pond in my garage they were in this for thirteen years and grow 38 and 42 inches if they had survived longer i dont think they would have reached 4 foot althou they do in the wild and in very large public aquariums . Idont think there is any other fish to compare to personality of a REDTAIL CAT as a side note i think one of the mistakes made is over feeding rcts trying to grow them asbig and fast as possible
 
basslover34;1435874; said:
Nothing wrong with saying bigger is better... it typically is better.. just might not be something that everyone can do...Even a guppy is better off in a bigger tank... just is it really needed is the question...then it becomes a case of personal preference... which some people beleive that a guppy in a shot glass (yes I've actually seen someone keep a guppy in a shot glass, one of those tall ones) is enough, while others believe that you need a 20 gallon for that guppy... it's the personal choice of each to do what they feel is best and needed for the tank ... kind of like people who have 200 square foot apartments vs people who have 20000 square foot mansions... it's all relative to what you can afford and what you feel is needed.

Some people harpe on RTC's not needing alot of space quite often, and on this we have disagreed before, but I do respect the experience which some of them have, simply beleive that there is more to life for a pet fish than sitting in a tank that is hardly larger than it is and not being able to cruise over to another area and find a new spot to chill out for awhile, When your a 3ft fish in a 6ft tank .. it kind of makes it difficult to do LOL adding hiding spaces uses up the little square footage you already have (Yes large RTC's still like to hide if they can) and they are all very active ... even though you don't see it often they are "hunting" in their tanks all night...so giving them the space to do so will only help their natural instincts and can only help to make them happier IMO.
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hmmm
i get the point
thank you
 
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