First Arowana set up

[classic-chassis]

I want to start an Arowana tank, reading all the info i can i've read "It must be 150 gallon tank!"
That's very expensive!! the glass needs to be 1in thick minimum.
Concidering a starter fish will only be about 6in long I was thinking of starting with a 40 gallon tank. 41in /19in/ 16in, 6mm glass.
In 5 to 7 years if my fish is still alive, i would then invest the massive amount of money needed for a 100 to 150 gallon tank.
What do you think?

Secondly, I'm thinking of a canister filter for the 40 gallon tank, what should i be looking for kepping it in mind its for arowana?
Thanks for the input in advance.

 

[albyoscar]

you say upgrade in 5-7 years try 5-7 months in no way should you start with a 40 gal tank for an aro unless you can upgrade very soon , and bare min tank size would be a 180 gal tank . My aro went from a baby to 12 " in about 8 months give or take

 

[popcorn1]

i object

1. i have two small tanks and i wish i had just gotten a super tank from the start.
2. your aro will get big very fast.
3. money now is money in the future. same money.

 

[Nabbig2]

That tank is WAY too small for an aro.

 

[classic-chassis]

you say upgrade in 5-7 years try 5-7 months in no way should you start with a 40 gal tank for an aro unless you can upgrade very soon , and bare min tank size would be a 180 gal tank . My aro went from a baby to 12 " in about 8 months give or take

so, I should be looking at 5ft, 3ft, 2ft with half inch glass right from the start?
thats about 150 gallon with any furniture and gravel displasment.
I know how much that'll cost. Here in Bangkok it's common for them (tank builders) to build a seperate tank to act as a fillter which is usually and dirtily on display at the side of the tank or hidden in the stand, but I think I would prefer a canister filter, to a home made one. What should I be looking for in specifications for a tank that size for an arowana.
I do already keep fish of different types, orange parrot fish (fresh water) and several siamese fighting fish, but taking on an arowana is a lot different.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[classic-chassis]

you say upgrade in 5-7 years try 5-7 months in no way should you start with a 40 gal tank for an aro unless you can upgrade very soon , and bare min tank size would be a 180 gal tank . My aro went from a baby to 12 " in about 8 months give or take

so, I should be looking at 5ft, 3ft, 2ft with one inch glass right from the start?
thats about 150 gallon with any furniture and gravel displasment.
I know how much that'll cost. Here in Bangkok it's common for them (tank builders) to build a seperate tank to act as a fillter which is usually and dirtily on display at the side of the tank or hidden in the stand, but I think I would prefer a canister filter, to a home made one. What should I be looking for in specifications for a tank that size for an arowana.
I do already keep fish of different types, orange parrot fish (fresh water) and several siamese fighting fish, but taking on an arowana is a lot different.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[Connor0729]

you should be looking at 6-8 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 2 feet tall, with half an inch to 3 quarters of an inch thick. aros get huge, and there is no way in hell you could keep one in a 40 gallon for more than 5 months, let alone 5 years

 

[stingray94]

I understand that a 150 gallon tank is very expensive, but you could always buy it used from like craigslist, ebay or the newspaper (I'm not really sure what websites like that are available to you if you are in Thailand but I'm sure you have similiar sites available). Also used tanks may come with a stand, heater and filter. You can sell whatever you don't use and use that money to get some of the money back that the tank costs and to buy things that you need for the tank that were not included. Good luck!

 

[classic-chassis]

I understand that a 150 gallon tank is very expensive, but you could always buy it used from like craigslist, ebay or the newspaper (I'm not really sure what websites like that are available to you if you are in Thailand but I'm sure you have similiar sites available). Also used tanks may come with a stand, heater and filter. You can sell whatever you don't use and use that money to get some of the money back that the tank costs and to buy things that you need for the tank that were not included. Good luck!

I'm just chomping at the bit, I will wait and buy the right size.
The wife's brother has wholesale conections for fish and tanks, he is in the business so i can have one custom made when I have the money. I can even have the base and lid made of teak.
hidden home made fillter (i'm still going to invest in a quality canister though).
He said all in around 500 pounds or 1000 US dollors.
metal frame and plastic lid about about 300 pounds or 600us dollors so it is a lot of money but it will be money well spent in the long run.
The 40 gallon tank belongs to a friend of mine who wants to sell and the eager light bulb flashed above my head.
I also joined here to ask because when you just read different sites a lot of info is conflicting, i belong to other hobby forums and i enjoy the feed back.
Quickest way to learn IMHO.
what should I be looking at for canister filters, do they need to have a certain amount of power and flow for the tank?
This is another question but using a good canister filter means you don't have to change water, right? do you cycle in new water from time to time?

 

[muckieman]

min of 6x3x2 with 3/8 glass no 1/2" 40g too small!