Planning On Building Super Oddball Tank

[GobyMaster]

Okay, as the long title said, I'm planning on setting up a 450 gallon (8x5x4') oddball tank. First of all, could someone tell me how much a tank that big would weigh? I was probably going to put it in our basement, but I just wanted to make sure that it's not too heavy. I already have a plan for stocking:

• Potamotrygon motoro-Motoro Stingray
• Chitala chitala-Clown Knifefish
• Osteoglossum ferrerai-Black Arowana
• Mastacembelus erythrotaenia-Fire Eel
• Oxyeleotris Marmorata-Marbled Sand Goby
• Polypterus ornatipinnis-Ornate Bichir
• Lepisosteus oculatus-Spotted Gar
• Astronotus ocellatus-Oscar
• Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps-Sailfin Plecostomus
• Acanthius adonis-Adonis Plecostomus

Would those inhabitants live together peacefully? As far as I know, all fish I have stated are way too big to get eaten by the other fish, but is that true? And, how difficult are these fish to keep?

Next question is set-up. How should I do it? Should the tank have a sand, gravel, or bare bottom? How deep should the substrate be? I was thinking sand that was between 6 and 8 inches deep. Is that deep enough? What type of filter should I have? What would be the best heater for the tank?

Decorations is another question. I've always read (and seen) here on this forum that it is better to have a tank with no plants, wood, or any decorations as they would take away swimming space. Is that true? I was thinking about putting in several Amazon Swordplants and other big, tall plants, and have some large rocks and big pieces of bogwood to decorate the tank. How much ground decorations should I have in a tank with 1 (or more) stingrays? I don't want to stress out the stingrays by not giving them enough swimming space at the bottom of the tank. I've read where the Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps and Acanthius adonis would eat plants. Would they?

Sorry that I have a very large amount of questions, I just really want to do this.

Thanks,

GobyMaster

 

[beblondie]

I was thinking sand that was between 6 and 8 inches deep. Is that deep enough? Its too deep much deeper than 2-3 inches and you're setting up conditions for anarobic bateria to set up (not good)


What type of filter should I have? A sump would be your best bet


What would be the best heater for the tank? multiple heaters located in the sump

 

[heymickey94]

You said that the tank dimensions are 8 feet X 5 feet X 4 feet. How is the tank either 4 or 5 feet in height? I'm sorry this confused me.

 

[GobyMaster]

What do you mean?
It's LengthxWidthxHeight, so it would be 8 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 4 feet tall.

GobyMaster

 

[Pimp]

well the tank is gonna way a bunch........... better but it i nthe basement .. dont think u need to reinforce the floor.

With the Ray- you probbly wont havea big enough tank for it to have all that decor-

my buddy had a 600 gallon tank- long (only a foot high) and he had very little decor since they served no purpose

 

[heymickey94]

What do you mean?
It's LengthxWidthxHeight, so it would be 8 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 4 feet tall.

GobyMaster

I'm assuming that the 4 feet hight is including the stand? That was what I didn't understand, I can;t picture an actual 4 foot tall tank.

 

[Fishy412]

What do you mean?
It's LengthxWidthxHeight, so it would be 8 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 4 feet tall.

GobyMaster

I'm assuming that the 4 feet hight is including the stand? That was what I didn't understand, I can;t picture an actual 4 foot tall tank.

No I think he means the actual tank dimensions. He's got a lot of mid-top dwelling fish and needs the room.

 

[GobyMaster]

What do you mean?
It's LengthxWidthxHeight, so it would be 8 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 4 feet tall.

GobyMaster

I'm assuming that the 4 feet hight is including the stand? That was what I didn't understand, I can;t picture an actual 4 foot tall tank.

No I think he means the actual tank dimensions. He's got a lot of mid-top dwelling fish and needs the room.

Yeah, Serverum's right. Since I plan on having several Arowanas and a gar, as well as a small group of Oscars, I need a tall tank. With the stand, it would probably be around 6-7 feet tall

GobyMaster

 

[ArauraDiscus]

Adonis plecos become pitch black as they mature. Just an FYI they qickly become less attractive than their beautiful juvenile white and black polka dot pattern. Plus they get up to 4 feet long, the longest of any pleco from what I understand.

 

[beblondie]

Have you priced this custom tank yet?

 

[cane76]

i keep quite a few of the fish on your list together with no problems
but plecs can suck on a rays disc and cause problems

 

[CAC]

Like Cane said, plecs are problematic with rays, I wouldnt advise it.
Four feet high...Says one thing to me, how are you going to syphon the bottom?
The questions you are asking are pretty simple, I suggest doing alot more reading up, and having a look at all the pinned topics that are at the top of each forum, they willhelp alot.

Mike

EDIT: Questions on substrate (gravel, sand, bare etc) and decor are answered in The Stingrays Guide (pinned at the top of this forum).

 

[Straydum]

8x5x4? yeah i cant really imagine a tank 4 feet in height, and together with the stand 7 feet. he'd probably need a mini ladder and would have to get into the tank to clean it. swimming with gars?

its gonna be really really tedious and alot of work.

 

[GobyMaster]

Adonis plecos become pitch black as they mature. Just an FYI they qickly become less attractive than their beautiful juvenile white and black polka dot pattern. Plus they get up to 4 feet long, the longest of any pleco from what I understand.

Okay, I never thought about it like that. 4 feet long, dang, my tank's not gonna be big enough fo it!

Have you priced this custom tank yet?

No, not yet. I'm going to talk to my parents later today about that stuff!

i keep quite a few of the fish on your list together with no problems
but plecs can suck on a rays disc and cause problems

So, should I not put any plecs in it? Could someone tell me any other big algae eaters that woun't do that to the stingrays?

Like Cane said, plecs are problematic with rays, I wouldnt advise it.
Four feet high...Says one thing to me, how are you going to syphon the bottom?
The questions you are asking are pretty simple, I suggest doing alot more reading up, and having a look at all the pinned topics that are at the top of each forum, they willhelp alot.

Mike
EDIT: Questions on substrate (gravel, sand, bare etc) and decor are answered in The Stingrays Guide (pinned at the top of this forum).

I'd probably have to get in the tank to do that. Would there be any fish that could attack me?

Thanks, I didn't see the stingray guide. I'll read it when I'm done posting this!

8x5x4? yeah i cant really imagine a tank 4 feet in height, and together with the stand 7 feet. he'd probably need a mini ladder and would have to get into the tank to clean it. swimming with gars?

its gonna be really really tedious and alot of work.

Actually, I've read that the gars are coldwater fish, so leaning against getting any gars.

Thanks for the help so far.

GobyMaster

 

[CAC]

Canes got a spotted gar, and hes put up a fish profile, have a look at it and it should say about temps etc.
Most people try flagtails with their rays, allthough they too can suck on the discs...I wouldnt try plecs though, Im pretty sure they will do suck on them...

Mike