Tips for my first Largemouth Bass?

[nickag9]

I think most people in this hobby (especially the ones on this site) have MTS (multi tank sydrome) so you might as well get an early jump on it and get that 55. To be honest with you though I would try to pick up a 75 or a 90 if you get the chance. With either one of those 2 options you get a tank that is 18 inches wide instead of the 12 inches you get with a 55. That extra 6 inches really helps with bigger fish. If you look for a bit on CL in a big city you should be able to find a 75 for cheap. With the 75 or 90 you could also get your small bass and keep him in there while your building your big tank. Also don't know if you have seen this site or not yet but its a decent resourse for someone interested in natives

http://forum.nanfa.org/

yea go ahead and get a smaller tank, why not! you'll have it for as long as you want, and you can put whatever you want in it! it would be nice if you could get one for cheap.

you could use the 55 as a sump or qt tank after the main tank is done.

check your local craigslist for used tanks.

Haha, I’ve definitely noticed the MTS around here and I didn’t think you guys would object to the idea of me starting with a smaller tank

Anyway, I have been searching CL for the past three days now and it looks like I can pick up a used 55 – 75 gallon aquarium for $30 - $100 depending on the accessories included. I’ll most likely end up using this smaller tank as a quarantine tank for my feeders once the larger tank is built so the cheaper I can get one the better. Either that or I’ll convert it to a sump tank and pick up a smaller tank for the feeders. I haven’t really done much research on how to properly quarantine and prepare feeder minnow but I wouldn’t imagine I’d need a 55 or a 75 gallon tank to do it… Besides, I keep reading that it’s easier to maintain two or three smaller tanks than one large one. This might lead me to buying a 30 and a 55 instead of one 75 or 90. Either way if I can pick up a used tank cheap enough I have no doubt I’ll get my money’s worth out of it!

I’ll continue to search CL and post up pictures once I decide on what kind of used tank I’m going to start with. Thanks for all the help!

 

[JIM]

Ive spent over 30 years in the hobby, with only the last 3-4 keeping Natives, I only wish i had found them sooner, and this site as well. The Guys on here are the most knowledgeable of anywhere ive been. I am also a NANFA member but spend more time here, reading than anywhere. As i said, I only wish i had found them sooner Good luck

 

[dsaavedra]

nanfa is great, i've been a member over there for a while, i've known about this site but hadn't really read around on here until recently when i joined.

 

[redm18]

I do like NANFA a lot and bought some natives from Brian Zimmerman over there but I like this site better just for the Monster aspect of it. People over here do big things with big cool fish that I just don't see over there. I really someday want to have a big native tank like 500 Gallons plus with a bass and tons of big Sunfish and Bullheads and maybe a gar. Maybe even try to set it up so that Minnows can survive and thrive in there with the big guys. I love that people do big things here.

 

[nickag9]

Ok so the build is set to begin in the middle of January and I'm trying to wrap up the last of my planning. For anyone interested, I'll probably start a thread over in the DIY section once I complete my plans and have everything ready to go. Anyway, one of the last things I'm trying to decide on (as it will play a part in my basement remodel) is what type of filtration to go with. I have been reading an absolute ton about sumps, the Fluval FX5 and now the AC110. Given everything I have read I still can't quite decide on the best route to take with my tank. So if you guys don't mind, I was hoping to get some input from those of you who have housed LMB in a large tank. Which type of filtration would you guuys recommend for a ~300 gallon tank with one LMB, one Channel Catfish and a few other undecided smaller tank mates??? Do I really need multiple filters or would once good sized sump with some clver plumbing take care of everything? I want to make sure I have sufficient filtration and water quality while also minimizing tank maintenance and cleaning if possible. Thanks again for the input and hopefully within the next few weeks or so I'll have some progress to report!

 

[dsaavedra]

i'm pretty sure sumps are the only way to go with big tanks like that. certainly the most customizable. build a sump!

also, let us know when you start your build thread, i'll subscribe!

 

[nickag9]

Hmmm... I guess my biggest concern is would a sump be sufficient enough or do I need to add anything else? I mean, would an FX5 and a sump be more than enough filtration or considered "normal", or how about an AC110 and a sump? Or am I over thinking this and would a properly built sump be enough filtration for my setup?

 

[dsaavedra]

i think a proper sump would be plenty. i haven't researched sumps so i don't know what FX5 is, but i mean look at other tanks, tanks that are bigger than 300 gallons, they don't have AC110's in them, they just have good sumps.

 

[Venom SS]

Hmmm... I guess my biggest concern is would a sump be sufficient enough or do I need to add anything else? I mean, would an FX5 and a sump be more than enough filtration or considered "normal", or how about an AC110 and a sump? Or am I over thinking this and would a properly built sump be enough filtration for my setup?

You can get ALOT more bio media in a sump than you can an FX5, and bio area is the key to keeping large fish. It is best to overkill on your bio media, to allow expansion of the bacteria colony. As the fish grows slowly over time and begins producing more and more waste, your bacteria colony will need room to grow to accommodate the increased ammonia.

To the original poster, feed your bass a variety of foods, including high quality live. Ive kept large predator fish for a long time, and trust me when I say their health will appreciate the variety. My LMB's get Hikari Massivore (highly recommend), frozen silversides, Hikari freeze dried krill, raw market shrimp, and various live feeders from time to time. They will eat just about anything. Enjoy your bass, they have just as much personality as an Oscar, and the ferocity of a peacock bass. They are great!

 

[nickag9]

Thanks for the info Venom SS!

And since my last post I have decided on using a sump and probably adding an FX5 sometime down the road. I figure since I'll be starting with a LMB fingerling and some other small fish the sump should be more than enough filtration at first. Then as the fish start to grow I'll consider adding a second form of filtration to keep the water clear and the larger bio load in check!