littlefish 587 Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 Good ole hunting life Some of the most interesting fish i have kept have been cichlids, not sexy or much of a wow factor but attractive easy fish. Also set up a 33,000 litre koi pond and bred those, changed the filtration system as new technology is constantly being brought into the market. Kept various freshwater species including piranhas/puffer/oscars etc. I find fish very relaxing and the delicate balance of water chemistry and the nitrogen cycle is very interesting any pics of the pond? sounds awsome Not at the minute, built it in 2002, used a new, at the time! Painted coat of fibreglass, took several attempts filling it and finding leaks before it was left for a month to get the chemistry right, introduced fish and by 2010 some of the fish were 3ft long, also introduced a 4ft Siberian sturgeon that is very tame and can be hand fed, along with the koi, they bred in 2005 and i housed the fry in an indoor pond for the winter and introduced them the following summer, they are now about 18 inches long. Started of with four drum filters and upgraded in 2008 to a single drum. Had some scares with the herpes virus doing the rounds but only lost 2 fish in 8 years......... A very engrossing (and expensive)hobby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JoeD 24 Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 I've done 2 years of animal care, my 2 strongest subjects was exotics (fish included) and canine behaviour, but I am in no way an expert just more knowlegable than you lot on here, put together haha, No seriously I have a hell of a lot to learn and pieces of paper mean nothing to me, it's all about experience in your chosen subject. Anyway I can tell you yes that tank looks a bit small for the size of the fish, and yes they do grow to the size of the tank and yes it can mess up there insides, but I wouldn't worry to much about that, if you can move them to a bigger tank, if not then they will be fine and content. Joe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JPTfellterrier 65 Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 Good ole hunting life Some of the most interesting fish i have kept have been cichlids, not sexy or much of a wow factor but attractive easy fish. Also set up a 33,000 litre koi pond and bred those, changed the filtration system as new technology is constantly being brought into the market. Kept various freshwater species including piranhas/puffer/oscars etc. I find fish very relaxing and the delicate balance of water chemistry and the nitrogen cycle is very interesting any pics of the pond? sounds awsome Not at the minute, built it in 2002, used a new, at the time! Painted coat of fibreglass, took several attempts filling it and finding leaks before it was left for a month to get the chemistry right, introduced fish and by 2010 some of the fish were 3ft long, also introduced a 4ft Siberian sturgeon that is very tame and can be hand fed, along with the koi, they bred in 2005 and i housed the fry in an indoor pond for the winter and introduced them the following summer, they are now about 18 inches long. Started of with four drum filters and upgraded in 2008 to a single drum. Had some scares with the herpes virus doing the rounds but only lost 2 fish in 8 years......... you must get some pics it sounds like quite a pond. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting next to a pond relaxing in the summer. There used to be a large pond where i worked and i used to stand and watch the fish while eating my lunch.Do you have any problems with herrons? I lost my first two fish recently, had two young blue angel fish which were very skinny from when i got them but they never seemd to thrive like my platinum i got from a diffrent supplier. Presume it was because of bad breeding as everything else was spot and lost no other fish...midn angels can be pretty fragile when young Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JPTfellterrier 65 Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 (edited) I've done 2 years of animal care, my 2 strongest subjects was exotics (fish included) and canine behaviour, but I am in no way an expert just more knowlegable than you lot on here, put together haha, No seriously I have a hell of a lot to learn and pieces of paper mean nothing to me, it's all about experience in your chosen subject. Anyway I can tell you yes that tank looks a bit small for the size of the fish, and yes they do grow to the size of the tank and yes it can mess up there insides, but I wouldn't worry to much about that, if you can move them to a bigger tank, if not then they will be fine and content. Joe like i said i was in the trade for two years inlcuding researching every night and for a year after i had to leave. And no fish will be happy and content with a tank that is too small...a bit like a dog in a far too small cage that is never let out....yeah it will live but no it wont be happy, it wont grow properly causing growth defects and die a very cruel death. Join the practical fish keeping forum and there will be hundreds of people who will back me up on this including people like matt (who wrote the thread i posted earlier) and jeremy who are very famous aquarists p.s. bet this lad wont get a load of shit for having a aposing view....becase hes male Edited March 8, 2011 by JPTfellterrier Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Simoman 110 Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 Never lost a fish to herons, the pond has a 40 inch raised wall and had a frame above with perforated matting, this wasn't erected to keep herons out but more to deflect direct sunlight as the growth of algae and weed was a problem and clogging up the media of the filter.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JPTfellterrier 65 Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 Never lost a fish to herons, the pond has a 40 inch raised wall and had a frame above with perforated matting, this wasn't erected to keep herons out but more to deflect direct sunlight as the growth of algae and weed was a problem and clogging up the media of the filter.... ah right.You really did put some thought in to the design, it sounds fantastic Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JR Yipp 111 Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 simonman we all ready know your a freak.... algie perv, stop trying to be a diplomatic mod, it dosent suit you. love fish.... infact i have an 's style pimp tank... just cant stand twats Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Simoman 110 Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 simonman we all ready know your a freak.... algie perv, stop trying to be a diplomatic mod, it dosent suit you. love fish.... infact i have an 's style pimp tank... just cant stand twats You know i'm a freak, i know i'm a freak, but don't ever call me diplomatic Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richie10 345 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Fish will grow to the size of the tank, that means they can grow to a point where they cannot turn round. Had a Silver Arowana in a 5x2x2 which grew to 3ft, a Cichla Monoculus which grew to 2ft and I sold on. That eventually grew to 2.5ft. When I got out the hobby I gave a Siamese Tigerfish back to the guy that gave it to me in the first place. That is now over 2ft long and in a 9ft x 5ft private aquarium. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouse 282 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 if you go to most shops that sell aquarium fish you will always find several large plecs in the tanks.these are normally fish that have been brought back because they grow too big for peoples tanks. these things are lovely when couple of inches long but they sure grow a bit rapid and take but the bottom or sidewall of your tank. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Simoman 110 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Mouse, your right about plecs, had a few and had one in a cichlid tank that grew to an enormous size but luckily enough the tank was huge..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
staffs riffraff 1,068 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Simo it's funny you should say that about the sturgeon mrs dad had one bout 2 1/2 foot long that would come to the side of the pond to have it's nose rubbed of be fed lol that grew from couple inches to that size very quick but died in a power cut on hot day when they were abroad. It is a bit of a science keeping water conditions perfect especially reef tanks where there is a lot more varied test to be done as sea water rarely changes chemistry so saltwater fish don't have immune systems to cope with any pollution or water change will get few pics up when get on computer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chalkedup 14 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 look like nice fish mate, seen a few of them in a local shop and the tank was about 4x4 with some rays in aswell ive got 2 plecs in my tank both about 13-14 inches long and got 3 green terrors a couple of weeks ago that have bred, the one male fertilised both females eggs so ive got a little tank with the fry in until i can get another tank sorted. to be honest mines a bit overstocked now but il find one of the green terrors a new home and it should be ok ive got a lace gourami,lemon gourami,4 pink convicts,2 plecs,feather fin catfish thats hardly ever seen and 2 clown loach but i havnt seen them for a couple of weeks so unsure if they are still alive but theres plenty of hiding places Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Simoman 110 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Simo it's funny you should say that about the sturgeon mrs dad had one bout 2 1/2 foot long that would come to the side of the pond to have it's nose rubbed of be fed lol that grew from couple inches to that size very quick but died in a power cut on hot day when they were abroad. It is a bit of a science keeping water conditions perfect especially reef tanks where there is a lot more varied test to be done as sea water rarely changes chemistry so saltwater fish don't have immune systems to cope with any pollution or water change will get few pics up when get on computer Yeah raff, this sturgeon is very tame, quite happy to be hand fed and touched, although they are bottom feeders they seem to prefer the koi food and sticking their nose out is the only way to eat the floating sticks, this one grew from two and a half to four feet in four years although i was told this species can attain a maximum of 8feet With regards to saltwater aquarims, i think they look stunning and the array of fish species is exciting BUT the delicate balance of the water chemistry and expensive start up costs means i have no experience Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cold Ethyl 63 Posted March 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 Ive had the pleasure of owning an arrowana years ago and would love another one but they need careful consideration i owned oscars and one used to fly for me everytime i went near the tank lol so no more oscars.There were chiclids when i got this tank in the start and i got rid im not a fan and they killed a pang that they lived with for years they also hammered a plec too.I always did like the sharks and had ruby sharks and a few other odd types these 2 pengs live with 2 tinfoil barbs a plec and a black ghost knifefish and to be honest they seem to be enjoying the space they have now as they hada lot lot less prior to coming here.As i said if they outgrow the tank its a really good excuse for me to go get a bigger tank My dad and ex hubby nearly fainted whent hey seen the tank i have now as i told them it wasnt that big lol but it looks fine as it is fish and all.Shes healing well and hes doing fine Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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