planning to build tank

[j4str]

Hey, ive been lurking the forums for a little while but just registered. I was wanting to build a tank for a large mouth bass, but i have a feeling the tank i want to build would be a little small. Im thinking 36" wide x 30 deep and 30 high. Which i calculate to be 140 gallons. I have a piece of 1/4" glass that is 29x34 that id like to use, thats how i came up with the dimensions.If i got a lmb, that was only an inch or two long, how long would it take to outgrow the tank? I may just have to switch the game plan to a small mouth bass.


What do you start out feeding a bass thats only a few inches long? Small crickets? guppies?

I would assume the tank doesn't need to be heated. After all its always going to be warmer in my house than the lake or river it came out of. Am i on track with that logic?


im sure i'll think of more questions to post as they come up

 

[davdev]

Way to small. You may get a year or so, from what I have read.

Oh, and a small mouth isn't really any smaller in actual size than a large mouth. Both need about 200 gallons, and at least 6 feet in length as adults.

 

[Push]

Way to small. You may get a year or so, from what I have read.

Oh, and a small mouth isn't really any smaller in actual size than a large mouth. Both need about 200 gallons, and at least 6 feet in length as adults.

This, if you want a bass that stays smaller but looks a lot like the large mouth look at spotted (this may be too big), guadalupe, or coosae/redeye. Small mouths typically still get to about 18-24 just like a LMB however rarely get the huge girth that the larger LMB get, not to mention they are typically a little more jumpy or flighty than LMB.

 

[j4str]

This, if you want a bass that stays smaller but looks a lot like the large mouth look at spotted (this may be too big), guadalupe, or coosae/redeye. Small mouths typically still get to about 18-24 just like a LMB however rarely get the huge girth that the larger LMB get, not to mention they are typically a little more jumpy or flighty than LMB.

Do these fish have similar care sheets as far as what they eat and similar temperatures? I assume these fish could be purchased online?

 

[Push]

Do these fish have similar care sheets as far as what they eat and similar temperatures? I assume these fish could be purchased online?

They will accept all the typical foods the LMB and SMB will however they are going to be a bit harder to get. You might not be able to find any for sale online, and the guadalupe is pretty rare from what I understand even in the wild, the coosae can be found sparingly and the spotted is pretty easy to find.

 

[j4str]

hmmm.... Looks like the coosa bass will be the ideal fish. How big do they get. Seems like i just need to find somebody in TN to find one for me. Are small fish easy to ship and have them live?


I'll just build the tank and stock it wit local fish and when they get too big i can release them, meanwhile looking for other fish to stick in

Now for other questions. If i coat plywood in fiberglass to waterproof it, does it need to be coated in anything else (other than for looks), or will it be safe for the fish as it is.

 

[usafyellow]

hmmm.... Looks like the coosa bass will be the ideal fish. How big do they get. Seems like i just need to find somebody in TN to find one for me. Are small fish easy to ship and have them live?


I'll just build the tank and stock it wit local fish and when they get too big i can release them, meanwhile looking for other fish to stick in

Now for other questions. If i coat plywood in fiberglass to waterproof it, does it need to be coated in anything else (other than for looks), or will it be safe for the fish as it is.

Just a quick note that it's illegal to release captive fish into the wild. If you plan on keeping them until they get big and releasing them you might want to have your won outdoor pond or find someone else to give the fish to. Just an FYI.

 

[j4str]

Thanks for the info. Is that even if they were wild caught to begin with? Or is that because they get accustomed to a lifestyle and then will sit around and wait for feeding time

 

[usafyellow]

It's mainly because they don't want you to introduce parasites and diseases Not in the wild into the wild. Even if the fish are wild caught.