Gravel or substrate choice for a Arowana tank

[NeonFlux]

Hi MFKeepers, new user here! Ntmu all.

Here's the idea...I have a 250 gallon, I honestly do not know what's a good natural habitat setting for the silver arowana tank. I was thinking about spectra stones or something but what about sand...? I want low maintenance, I don't want to be digging, shoveling, and sucking for fecal matter with a gravel tube... What about substrate?

I'm also thinking about doing a rockscape and driftwood scape;along with some aquatic plants here and there I currently have in my planted tanks (hygrophila sp. polysper., cabomba)

Any ideas where to start off well?

 

[CODzilla]

I want low maintenance, I don't want to be digging, shoveling, and sucking for fecal matter with a gravel tube... What about substrate?

Bare bottom? I don't think the Arowana will mind.

 

[drb]

Choose what you like that you can maintain properly. The Aro is top water fish and wont care whats on the bottom unless you dont take care of it!

 

[NeonFlux]

Hi, CODzilla. Yes, the 250 gallon is currently bare bottom...although I want to make the tank look as natural as possible. I want to impress the guests. Where do these aro's naturally live in? You see, what I'm trying to do is give them a tank that feels like it's their home, like in the wild rivers or w/e. It's going to cost $ to buy the supplies, but it's going to make the tank look rad all the time;that's what we want

 

[dragonfish18]

maintenance is all part of fishkeeping there is always going to be stuff you need to siphon out and substrate isnt cheap..gl

 

[CODzilla]

Hi, CODzilla. Yes, the 250 gallon is currently bare bottom...although I want to make the tank look as natural as possible. I want to impress the guests. Where do these aro's naturally live in? You see, what I'm trying to do is give them a tank that feels like it's their home, like in the wild rivers or w/e. It's going to cost $ to buy the supplies, but it's going to make the tank look rad all the time;that's what we want

I meant you could keep it bare bottom, maybe paint the outside bottom of the tank. Are you planning on keeping anything else in with the Arowana?

 

[spwd]

Hi neon have a look for my rtg pics and threads it may be of help to you even if its not a silver.


Steve

 

[GarNiac]

I dont think arowana needs sand or plants in their tank, most of them being kept in a bare bottom tank, they will adjust with their new environment. Besides it would be easier for you to clean the mess. Have a look at the arowana forum, there are lots of examples there.
cheers

 

[evbal]

Bare bottom, easy to maintain
and don't put driftwood or big rock in the tank
Driftwood will make lower PH and aro might get hurt when feeding if big rock is there

 

[Fractal]

You ever see those styrofoam things that they cover with quickcrete to simulate stones? Instead of using that as a background you can do that as full one piece bottom?

I was thinking of doing something like that with holes in it so I could put some potted plants and what not. Just gotta make sure no poo can get stuck in the edges and what not.

When I get some moolah I'm gona do something like that.