Namazu's last upgrade

[OTp1144]

Black friday saw too many good deals. So I finally got my RTC his forever home.


This is the old 300 gallon stock tank with everything moved away from it to get it ready to be moved out of the garage

Installed 2 new light LED fixtures. 3700 lumen 4000k each. On sale from costco for a total of $40, I couldn't resist.

Removed all the potted plants from the old pond. Just a bunch of swords and taro

More swords that decided to float away from their pot

Oh and literally 5 gallons of water sprite. there is not much water in this bucket. it's almost entirely water sprite.

The beast himself. Chilling in a 55 gallon tote while his new home is set up.

Moved the old pond out, swept like crazy, filled the cracks between the slabs with sand

Bought a 10' round by 30" high pool from walmart on black friday. Arrived at the house on Monday with standard shipping. Needless to say I was impressed.

We decided to put a tarp under it for extra protection from any random large grains of sand or pebbles I missed, or whatever.

Started filling and setting up filtration. Used the same pump/filter from the stock tank. Laguna 3200 pressure flo UVC with 2800gph pump. Had to replace all the hosing because the old stuff was so brittle. But luckily I had some extra laying around from the pond service days

Filtration not pictured is an eheim 2217 and the small canister filter that came with the pool

Finished filling, added all the plants back, got the filter running

The output of the filter is temporary until I can get and adapter and replace it with PVC. One of the benefits of desert living - the water came out of the tap at 80F.

Transferred him to his new home with only slight splashing. He spent the first minute getting adjusted to everything and then started swimming and hasn't stopped exploring since!

and a video for good measure

 

[celebrist]

Happy kitty, good job. Are you concerned about punctures?
I ask because I have been considering one of these pools

 

[OTp1144]

He's SO happy! After he got acclimated and explored a bit he swam up to us for pets. I know we anthropomorphize are fish a lot, but I truly feel like he's super happy in here!

Unless he gets spooked, I see no reason for him to try and puncture the sides. Even then, he's more likely to swim away and hit something than he is to stick out his pectorals and try to puncture the side. That being said, I'm still not worried bout it. I had him, a TSN, a TSN x RTC hybrid and a channel all in one of those snap up plastic pools, literally POS, and they didn't puncture it. Even when fighting.

 

[fishnatics]

Well done on his upgrade! Wish I had the space to do something like this as someone is giving away there swimming pool.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

That's done well and with heart! I can recognize a professional.

I read what you said about a liner but I'd still say I personally would have definitely lined it with EDPM rubber - ask wednesday13 - if you keep cats long enough, they will puncture even rubber, not to mention thin and weak vinyl liners. Who knows, maybe you will luck out but that's not a peace of mind in my book

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Any updates yet?

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

If God is willing and it starts reaching 3.5'-4', even this "forever" home will get tight. You'd probably have 5 or more years though.

If it's a runt, it could be set for life.

 

[OTp1144]

Not much to update. He's settled in well. The lighter bottom is washing out his colors a bit, but I don't mind, and he doesn't seem to either.

thebiggerthebetter you really think it'd be too small for a 4' catfish?

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Nice. Brilliant crystal clear water. Healthy looking cat. Tons of space.

It's a judgment call and varies from keeper to keeper. When you see a 4' RTC in your 10' pond, you'll decide. They have an unbelievable girth.

 

[OTp1144]

I see your point. I'm looking at him now thinking there's no way this can't be big enough for him. but i'm seeing him as a 2.5' fish, instead of a 4' one. And it's really hard to envision another fish in there without physically seeing it. so I guess time will tell.