Need help setting up first tank for Arowana + Fire Eel

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yangcliu

Feeder Fish
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Jan 5, 2011
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I'm back to my apartment at my school and I'm doing some remodeling. I've decided to finally get an Arowana and a fire eel. I've been debating this for a few years but just haven't had the time to get to it

A few problems and questions-

I'm thinking of buying them online. Is that safe? Even if the sites do guarantee a "live on delivery" statement, how much would the stress on the fish from delivery take a toll on their life span?

Also, I have a 180 gallon tank at home I will put them in after 2-3 months, but for right now I'm going to buy a smaller tank from the local store just to put them in while they are little (for at most 3 months). After a year I'll get a tank 300 gallons +.

As I said earlier, I'm trying to get an arowana and a fire eel in the same tank, is that advisable?

Main questions:

What size tank should i get for a 3 inch arowana + fire eel for the first 3 months (At most) since the 180 gal is in my house and there's no point in moving the tank back and forth.

What equipment do I need (pumps, filters)- anything specific? I've raised goldfish that are 7 years old right now and theyre fine, but obviously those have different requirements than these fish.

Food? - I'm thinking of solely feeding them pellets right now to get them used to it. Is that good?

Anything else I'm missing?


Thanks
 
Don't buy them online too much risk for shipping and not getting what you want. Get them from fantastic fins in livonia it will save you money and you will end up with healthier fish. They will have better info on the species I have not raised either but I know that both species sometimes have to be trained to eat pellets. Its not always their first choice of food but is best for them. For tank size I suggest a 75 or 90 to start them off in because they will grow fast. You'll probably need 1 or 2 heaters and make sure you get shatterproof so your fish don't break them I prefer ebo jager heaters. You'll also want large hang on back filter or canister filter whichever you prefer. If you want to save some money try looking for used tanks and supplies on craigslist you should be able to get something nice for a fraction of the cost you would pay new. The only other thing you have to worry about is changing the water. I prefer 50% every 2 weeks or 25% once a week whatever works best for your schedule. The cleaner the water the faster they should grow. Just make sure your tank is established before you buy any fish you need to wait for your tank to cycle but they can help you with that at fantastic fins.
 
I might get another 180

This one - http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/for/2139188150.html

its 2+ x 2+ x 6 inches

Don't know about its durability.

How much are the heaters/ filters usually?

I only have regular goldfish so I don't know how much the higher grade equipment are.

Water is not a problem since water utility is free here in Ann Arbor.
So.. Filter + Heater+ Tank+ Food? That's it?

And if my room is still always at a constant 80 degrees, do I still need a heater? -I'm guessing yes, but just wondering for the time being.

Also...what water purifying solution should I buy- the one you put in the tank and let it dissolve for a few hours before putting in fish? Or do I not need one
 
Tank is a good deal. You are going to need two 250-300watt heaters which are about $25 I prefer ebo jager because they last and they're shatterproof. You're going to need a large filter I suggest a fluval fx5 canister filter which run about $200 on ebay or $300 at the store. You'll probably also want a powerhead to add some oxygen around the tank and to move around debris. For water conditioning you shold just look for a basic dechlorinator they all have different directions.
 
I don't really like the stand of the tank, is it good?
Also, do all the filters cost that much? That's kind of ridiculous.

+ How much electricity does the tank use overall, since Ann Arbor utilities are extremely expensive.

PS: I'm thinking of Arowana + Fire Eel, but I was looking into Mbu (probably not) and albino bichers and Aba Knifefish

I want to keep the tank simple, 4 at the VERY most... what's a good combination of tankmates for the Arowana? Since the Arowana is the main staple of my tank.
 
I would get 2~3 FX5s for a 180

If you are planning on upgrading it to a 300+, get 3 so that you won't be underfiltered in the future.
 
2-3? Holy crap. Haha, this certainly is a surprise.

I'm starting up with probably something <100 for my apartment, since I'll move it all to the 180 later anyways.
 
One FX5 on a 180G with 2-4 large fish will be plenty of filtration, especially if you have gravel or sand substrate (not barebottom). May want to add some additional aeration or a secondary backup source of filtration but it's not absolutely necessary.
FX5s are extremely energy efficient. If you're concerned about the price of electricity you can't really do better for a canister.
 
Young arowanas are fragile, and should not be kept with anything that could cause any kind of stress. As I am not familiar with the behaviors of a fire eel, I don't know how appropriate of a tank mate it would be. Mbu puffers are too big, a Fahaka would be perfect for a 180, but Fahakas hate tank mates.

If you want cheap filters, just get a really big HOB, and a couple of sponge filters. Sponge filters are awesome! Seriously, they trap particulates and offer so much biological filtration, and they aerate the water. I'm sure you can find some "energy saving" air pumps somewhere (I know they make water pumps like this...). Is your room 80F, all the time, day or night, no exceptions whatsoever? If so, you don't need a heater. But if there's any chance of that ever falling below 75 for a prolonged period of time, then I'd get a heater.

An arowana will most likely not take pellets, and at 3" they cannot go long without eating. I suggest feeding live food, something like blackworms, which all fish go crazy for, until she reaches a foot (which should be in about 4 months). Then you can try to get her on pellets. It'll be hard at first, but at that size they can go for a long time without eating without any danger to their health.

Also...what water purifying solution should I buy- the one you put in the tank and let it dissolve for a few hours before putting in fish? Or do I not need one
Click to expand...

I don't understand... do you mean water conditioner? I use Prime, by a company called Seachem. You just add it to the water and it's instantly ready to go.
 
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