thanks man!
I'm REALLY excited!
I've wanted an arowana for the past decade nearly!
I'm really excited to learn as much as I can about them.
I wont get one till I'm confident with the chem levels in the tank though.. but then again.. i wont put any fish in the tank till i feel the levels are acceptable anyway

here's the plan:
1. i've gotta drop off the deposit for the tank.
2. during this time i'll start making the stand for it (dont know if i'll be putting wheels on the stand or what but i was thinking giant 6-8 inch casters)
3. i've gotta figure out what i'm going to do about a filter.. but realistically i've been eying this pool pump i have in my garage.. i dont ahve a pool.. never had a pool.. but i have a pump for one.. figure that out?!.. i blame my Dad

4. once the filter is all sorted out i'll go about creating a cover for my giant steel stand, during this time i'll also build a canopy and lights of some sort acceptable enough for growing plants.
5. BRING THE TANK HOME!.. during this time i'll fill it, put in the substrate(i'm going to be using lava dust the consistency of crushed coral), driftwood and rocks
6. once the tank has been running for about a month and the chemical levels are about right, i'll throw in around 5-6 goldfish who will stink up the joint and drop of tonnes of nice poop that i figure will be great for the plants i'm about to add.. the fish will then be given to a buddy of mine with a pond
7. this will be around the third month the tank is running that i'll add plants.. hopefully the light is enough to have them grow adequately.. PLEASE LOTS OF INPUT HERE!!!
8. around the end of the third month and the first week or so of the fourth month i'll monitor the chemical levels a little more closely to see that they're acceptable for my discus..once they're perfect in go my discus, angels, barracuda neons.. etc..
9. fast forward to around a year or so later.. this is where i'll be going out to buy my DRAGON FISH!.. i'm looking at getting a purple based red arowana.. or maybe a blue base gold.. i'de LOVE to get a purple base red spoonhead or a blue base gold crossback .. but i'm going to be so broke from the purchase of the tank that i bought a year or so earlier i dont think it's going to be an option..
AAAAAAAANyhow..
that's what i figure i'll end up doing
feel free to add opinion or even experience!
i'de like to put the plants in right away but i figure it wont be an option until there is enough fish poop to grow the plants.. plus they need certain chemical levels in the tank too right?
AAAAAAAAAAnyhow.. i'll stop talking..
advice appreciated!