just thaught that i should add that in 40-50 degree water for anything longer than a day your RTC will die, just wanted to make that clear
Question on moving my RTC outside
- Thread starter KCLAMBERT
- Start date
snakeheads are different the northern snakehead Channa argus is the one we are having problems with in the US it is NOT TROPICAL! Pic shows distribution manchuria is cold like alberta cold!KCLAMBERT;3207014; said:Hello everyone. I having been reading threads here for quite sometime but have never posted. I need some valuable input and advice. I have a RTC (SA) in a 125 gallon tank (he is about 24" long). I wanted to build an indoor pond for him (about 4ftX8ftX3ft), however I am worried about evaporation and humidty issues as it would be in a finished basement. We have a dehumidifier, but I dont want that to run 24-7 (that would be a hell of an electric bill). I had thought about the possibilty of building this pond outside. Only problem is that I live in Harpers Ferry WV, where the average winter temp is 38 degrees, with a freeze line of about 18 inches. Now an RTC is obviously a tropical fish, so would he be able to survive the winter is I can keep the pond from freezing over (at least completely). I have always heard that tropicals cannot survive in winter, but think he may be able to adapt. Im sure that no one thought snakeheads could survive Maryland winters (same temps as WV) and they seem do be doing okay (unfortunately for local fish populations).
I really need some good advice and input, does anyone have any suggestions? I dont want to get rid of him, but I dont want to keep him pinned up in a tank where he is already having issues turning around.
Please help??!!
That was my other concern...would the RTC survive. As I said before, I'm sure no one believed a snakehead would last in our local waters (Maryland) and they now have evidence that they are breeding. Snakeheads are from Southeast Asia and are tropical, right? At the same time, I dont want him to kick the bucket because of me. I read a thread recently (but dont remember where) of a guy in Seattle who had an outside DYI tank (Several thousand gallons I think), but Seattle's avg temp in winter is about 40 degrees or so (a little higher than ours). I dont think he had a heater and he had an RTC in it, as well as Pacu and others.
go with the inside pond. i think itll be easier for you and im fairly positive the water temp in winter will kill your RTC, What if by some chance you have an overnight powerfailure? And the northern snakehead is not tropical and that is the one we have trouble with
Thanks for the map and info Indiana. That explains it I guess. Is a common name for Channa argus, Red Snakehead? Just wondering , cause they have been found here too.
I think I will take everyones advise and go with an indoor pond. I dont want to risk losing my buddy (his name is Ebinezar by the way). It will be better anyway, because I will be able to see and interact with him much more indoors.
Thanks for all the input, I do appreciate it. Hopefully, I'll take lots of pictures of the build and post them in the DYI section.
Thanks for all the input, I do appreciate it. Hopefully, I'll take lots of pictures of the build and post them in the DYI section.
Hey KC ,take a look at the pond section of this site ,the ideas are almost endless.
As for a cover I have not built one yet but so far mold is not an issue.I do keep a fan on tho..
As for a cover I have not built one yet but so far mold is not an issue.I do keep a fan on tho..
