I've had my MBU since he was 2 inches including tail. He's now at about 8-10 inches a little more than a year later. He's been in a customer 305 gallon 6ftx5ftx18inch. Hes never been super active unless eating. He also NEVER utilized more than a 3 ft front spawn of the tank and 1 ft depth. He literally used maybe 1/10th of the entire tank space.
This went on for over a year. Me trying different tank mates, or powerheads, or lighting etc. Went bare bottom, 3 different substrates, different types of rocks etc. Nothing I tried changed the fact he was inactive. Nitrates and other water parameters were always in great shape. I've had him on a continuous drip system 2gph an hour, I've had him without that, doing manual changes. Also tried raising the ph up also tried hardness etc.
The next thing I wanted to try is a new tank. I got him a 170 gallon tank to try out. 65 inchesx22.5 inchesx 28 inches tall. He is now more active than ever. Its only been a few days so far but the different is insane. Obviously this isn't conclusive but I just wanted to share a tip that has helped me. My larger tank now sits in my garage unused. I'm hoping the new setup will have him eating more, exercising more and growing more!
The current plan is to sell off the custom 305 and buy a larger tank to have ready for my MBU to move into. I think the next step up in tank size for him will be something like 8x3x2. I'm hoping he'll put another 8-10 inches on this year and I can just order up his larger tank.
Heres some pictures
This went on for over a year. Me trying different tank mates, or powerheads, or lighting etc. Went bare bottom, 3 different substrates, different types of rocks etc. Nothing I tried changed the fact he was inactive. Nitrates and other water parameters were always in great shape. I've had him on a continuous drip system 2gph an hour, I've had him without that, doing manual changes. Also tried raising the ph up also tried hardness etc.
The next thing I wanted to try is a new tank. I got him a 170 gallon tank to try out. 65 inchesx22.5 inchesx 28 inches tall. He is now more active than ever. Its only been a few days so far but the different is insane. Obviously this isn't conclusive but I just wanted to share a tip that has helped me. My larger tank now sits in my garage unused. I'm hoping the new setup will have him eating more, exercising more and growing more!
The current plan is to sell off the custom 305 and buy a larger tank to have ready for my MBU to move into. I think the next step up in tank size for him will be something like 8x3x2. I'm hoping he'll put another 8-10 inches on this year and I can just order up his larger tank.
Heres some pictures
