Tropical Aquarium

Post by **berks** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:46 pm

I would like to have a tropical aquarium, and have a question to see if anybody has any experience of this situation.
First a few brief details.
I have kept tropical freshwater and tropical saltwater fish for the last 30 years on quite an advanced level. Including everything from a freshwater community tank to a 1m red tail catfish in a 400 gallon tank.
I have moved into a condominium and would like to situate a tank on the balcony. It would be approx. 2m x .5m x .7m The tank would not get direct sunlight at any time. Has anybody kept a tank successfully "outside" and if so what type of fish were you keeping.
Any information from the field would be useful before I start my project.

Post by **Big Boy** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 7:09 pm

Have a look here for starters http://www.expathuahin.com/pet-care-huahin.php. I'm sure Buksida will answer all of your questions soon.

Post by **buksida** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:45 am

I have two large tanks running (or a small house), both freshwater. The 180 gal has a Flowerhorn that has grown quicker than my kids and demands the same attention, originally it homed the longest relationship I've ever had - 7 years with the Oscar!. The second tank is now home to two junior Oscars (my favourite aquarium fish as you may have gathered). The breeding tank is in several pieces after one of the biped offspring decided to introduce washing powder to the fry.

Your biggest problem with a tank outside is algae growth, especially if it is exposed to any kind of sunlight, its like a photosynthetic rave! If you're prepared to get your arm in there, clean it, and do 50% water changes every third day then go for it, else keep it inside in the shade.

Post by **berks** » Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:19 am

Wow.... every third day, I had no idea it would be that fast. The tank would not get direct sunlight, but yes it can be bright. Perhaps I had better take your advise, or the golf handicap might be effected!
Thanks for the prompt reply.

Post by **berks** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 12:28 pm

Hi Buksida, I have been giving this one some thought over the past week.
The tank would never get direct sunlight, and I can even shield the end of the tank nearest the balcony railing with plant life creating quite a shady area. The light it would get would be reflected light off the floor and possible the back wall.
I would use a tank approx 1.8m x 1m x .5m to house a single Flowerhorn or other interesting fish. Under these circumstances do you really think the algae growth would mean twice weekly water changes. I appreciate the glass would require regular cleaning. Would it require a heater? I know the final decision is mine and I might place a small glass tank in the position just to see what happens. Any further info would be appreciated.

Post by **buksida** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 12:38 pm

That's a fair sized aquarium, so long as it is not in direct sunlight you should be ok. You won't need a heater here in Thailand.

Just as a guideline I do a 50% water change for both of my aquariums every 10 days or so as Oscars and Flowerhorns are messy eaters!

Post by **berks** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 12:57 pm

Thanks again, when you do your 50 percent water change, what water do you use...... I have started a thread about drinking water from the under-sink canister type units. This is getting interesting combining the two topics!

Post by **buksida** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 1:05 pm

It comes from the tap which comes from our water tank. Tap water from the mains is also fine but if you're worried about chlorine let it stand for 24 hours first - Flowerhorns are quite hardy so should be ok, Discuss are something else!