Starting a monster/arowana grow-out tank...

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kittyhazelton

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jan 25, 2007
693
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16
Upper Valley VT/NH
OK, I'm really liking the arrows, I think they're beautiful fish, and I want one for christmas dammit!

That said, I currently have a 180gal (72" X 24" X 24") tank in mind for a starter setup. Here are some of my questions regarding this...
How long would a single 1-2' Silver arrow be comfortable in this tank? I have plans on getting ahold of (aka, building) a 300gal or larger next year. I just moved not too long ago to a house that has a room with a concrete slab PERFECT for a fish-room.
The arrow would be the show-fish. What are some good mid-bottom level tank mates for this? I LOVE catfish, especially big goofy ones. I'm debating between doing an all-silver-fish tank, or getting something that's schooling and stripey to go with the arrow. I want the arrow to be the focus-point of the tank (big loomy silver thing, haha!)
What are decent dimensions for the tank for an adult silver arrow? I'm gonna start making the plans now. I half thought of doing an L shaped tank to fit in the corner of the room, but I dunno.
Then I'm debating between bare-bottom, sand, gravel, decor or not? Black background, blue, natural?
 
I say a 180gall is good enough :) I know some other MFK would disagree, but i believe 6/10 people on this site, have arowana under 180gall. They say "1in per gallon" but truely, how many people follow that? Browse on this site and look at other people tanks or youtube, you see what i mean. My opinion. :)

And also, i think datnoid would be good or maybe a peacock bass.
 
Well, I'm "STARTING" with the 180, cause that's what I've got for now. I really want to build a big tank in the near future if my funds permit, but for now the 180 is what I'm working with...

So, that in mind.... IN the 180, with a 1-2' arrow (cause they have one at my LPS that is pretty much on-hold for me cause he's been there almost 6 months now and no sale) What are some good tank-mates for them? Catfish are favs. but I like a schooling fish too.
 
180 should work for maybe a couple years and a standard 300 wide would work for another year or so, but you're going to eventually want a tank that's at least 9'x3', ideally.

larger bichirs are perfect bottom-dwellers for a silver aro tank. if you want something "stripey", lol, dats would be great as mentioned before. There are so many other options, though.

i would go with sand and a black background with driftwood and maybe live plants if you can.

I hope you know what you're in for and are ready for it.
 
pwmin;2462481; said:
180 should work for maybe a couple years and a standard 300 wide would work for another year or so, but you're going to eventually want a tank that's at least 9'x3', ideally.

larger bichirs are perfect bottom-dwellers for a silver aro tank. if you want something "stripey", lol, dats would be great as mentioned before. There are so many other options, though.

i would go with sand and a black background with driftwood and maybe live plants if you can.

I hope you know what you're in for and are ready for it.
Click to expand...

9X3? That's doable.... I was thinking something along the lines of 10 X 3ish when I do get around to building. I've always wanted to try a plywood frame tank. I'm building a little one right now just to try it out, but some time within the next year or so I'm going to be building a much larger tank along one of the walls of the room.
I would do a concrete tank built into the wall, but I'm unfortunately renting the house and the owner doesn't want any "permanent modifications" to the building. darn.

But in the mean time... focusing on the 180... any more tank mate suggestions? Sand (black, white, or natural?) To plant, or not to plant (plants annoy me but they look good. Artificial would probably be where I'd go.)
Questions regarding water quality. I realise they need great water quality (not a problem on water changes, and I'm no longer on chlorinated city water crap. My old house had really high nitrates straight from tap.) PH requirements? Temps around 75-80 ok?
Filtration? currently planning on using 2 Cascade 1500s for main filtration, would this be enough?
 
Also, what's a good primary food for those guys.
I've got an easy supply of frozen rodents, but I don't know as though mammals are good for them (too fatty?) Pellets? Home-made gelatinous fish-mush? Whatever other small fish that will fit in it's mouth?
 
try to avoid live food.. try market shrimp thawed and aro pellets..once in a great while crickets as a snack ( Don get him addicted on this) other then that a 10x3 is fine for a silver.
 
kittyhazelton;2462535; said:
9X3? That's doable.... I was thinking something along the lines of 10 X 3ish when I do get around to building. I've always wanted to try a plywood frame tank. I'm building a little one right now just to try it out, but some time within the next year or so I'm going to be building a much larger tank along one of the walls of the room.
I would do a concrete tank built into the wall, but I'm unfortunately renting the house and the owner doesn't want any "permanent modifications" to the building. darn.

But in the mean time... focusing on the 180... any more tank mate suggestions? Sand (black, white, or natural?) To plant, or not to plant (plants annoy me but they look good. Artificial would probably be where I'd go.)
Questions regarding water quality. I realise they need great water quality (not a problem on water changes, and I'm no longer on chlorinated city water crap. My old house had really high nitrates straight from tap.) PH requirements? Temps around 75-80 ok?
Filtration? currently planning on using 2 Cascade 1500s for main filtration, would this be enough?
Click to expand...
the bigger, the better once it gets past 2 feet. I'm just saying I wouldn't want to keep a 3' silver in anything less than 9x3 and it has the potential to get more than 3'. I am planning on something at least 10x4x3 for my silver

larger catfish, polys, dats, cichlids (my fav are pikes and p-bass). Just look through all the sub-forums on here and find what you like. There are tons of different fish on here. pH around neutral is best. 80 will be okay but you'll want higher esp if you have Cichla. I'm not familiar with those filters. Ideally, IMO, you want a filtration RATING of 10x the gallonage, but not necessarily.
 
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