Husband bitten by MTS bug

Let me start off by saying, Mods, I had no idea where to post this, so can you please put it where it belongs.

Ok, here is the story. Since I got the Betta tanks fixed and been fixing up my 29 gallon and getting fish in it, the MTS bug has bitten my husband. But what he wants is not a display tank but a test tank filled with a few bluegill and croppy and maybe a catfish or two. So he told me he wants to get a 100 gallon or even a 200 gallon tank and toss some in so he can test out fish bait and bobbers and stuff. I told him he's insane for this because the cat fish can get 4 feet long and it will never last in the tank that small. He would need a much larger tank for the cat fish. The bluegill and croppy might work, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

So, my questions is this. Would this be considered a black water tank? How would one even set this up? I'm talking the whole setup from substrate to filters and even lighting. I'm guessing it would be best to transport the lake water instead of using tap, is that correct?

Oh and don't worry, this tank idea isn't even in the works. We have no place to put a tank that large except in the basement, and there is no way to get it down stairs. Had a hard enough time getting my washer and dryer down there. I just want the knowlage about it so I can argue with my husband. Teehee

I know it can be done, otherwise Bass Pro and places like that couldn't have their display tanks....But I'm sure they got their fish from breeders and not wild caught.

 

Your dude wants a lake in a box.

 

Your dude wants a lake in a box.

lol No doubt! I keep telling him he's crazy, but I understand why he wants to. He can see the reaction of the fish to the stuff he wants to try. Mainly homemade fish bait. It's his crazy idea though, I'm just looking to see if he can do it so I can argue against it, besides my usual argument if wild animals should not be kept in cages, it to stressful for them. So this time I'm trying cold hard facts, using "Your going to need this and that, and the cost is this....." to see if I can get the thought out of his head. Unfortunately he's asperger as well, one once they get a bone between their teeth, it's very hard to get them to let it go.

 

Ooh I know all about that "bone between the teeth" obsessiveness! I wish I could figure out how to make housework an object of obsession

Maybe you can check with your local fish and wildlife organization to see if keeping those species is even legal.

 

He could build the tank from scratch right in the basement

 

Ooh I know all about that "bone between the teeth" obsessiveness! I wish I could figure out how to make housework an object of obsession

Maybe you can check with your local fish and wildlife organization to see if keeping those species is even legal.

He's under the impression that since people take them home alive to prep for meals, it shouldn't be an issue if he tosses them in a tank to "detox" the meat before gutting them, which I do believe is allowed. I'll check into it though.

He could build the tank from scratch right in the basement

ROFL, I suggested he should just flood the basement so the catfish has room. He actually considered that the jerk. lol

Actually that's what he wants to do. Not actually build a tank from scratch, he lacks that knowledge, but the stand and everything else he might be able to do.

lol Your not helping my argument of why not though. lol

 

Lol if you told him he had to build it in the basement would he try it?

 

don't hold him back

 

Lol if you told him he had to build it in the basement would he try it?

lol unfortunately yes he would.

don't hold him back

hahahaha Thanks Dovah! lol That's a good sound argument to stop him. hahahaha

 

Might work as reverse psychology! Tell him he can and then stand back while he figures out the logistics of it for himself

 

At least it will keep him out of your hair for a few weeks

 

Have him check out the king of diy on YouTube. He does tutorials on how to make your own tanks.

 

Have him check out the king of diy on YouTube. He does tutorials on how to make your own tanks.

Bad idea. He may actually be able to complete the project.

 

Bad idea. He may actually be able to complete the project.

I see a custom plywood tank build in the near future! ! BTW I always wanted to try one of those too. LOL

 

clk89 has stand building experience

 

The stand won't be an issue because he will eventually come up with cinder block and ply wood stand that will actually hold the tank.

So how about we focus on the tank itself. Substrate would be....Grab from the lake and toss it in? Sand? Remember it's wild caught so have to think of little changes. Would the tank be consider black water then? What kind of filter would be good for it? I'm guessing we don't want to purify the water to fast because they are in lake water. I'm guessing I can toss my hornwart in it, but would it be better to get stuff straight out of the lake they come from?

Can anyone give me ideas of costs? From all ends of the spectrum please.

We need to dissuade him as much as possible, not encourage him to build it. lol

 

I think in actual fact you'll want fairly high filtration! I would think that because fish in the wild are not in as enclosed a system as we impose on our own tank-bred fishies that they would need cleaner, more aerated water in order to survive. It's not going to be as easy as slapping a couple of HOBs on the tank!

Sand substrate should be fine, or bare bottom, or rocks of various sizes. Will depend entirely on the natural habitat of the fish he wants to keep. Some species need sand to breed for example.

As for plants, I would harvest the ones from the lake they came from. In which case you may want to go with sand substrate or bare bottom with pots.

 

I know from the fishing spots it's mud bottom, rocks, and dead trees/driftwood, beyond that, I have no clue what's down there. I have brought up on my lines what looks like green hair algae, so I don't even know what grows on the bottom.

So high filtration eh? So a couple of high power canister filters would probably be in order to filter it right.

The fish he wants to experiment on is blue Gill, croppy, and catfish (channel, blue, and what ever else is in the lake).

He originally wanted to start off with a 55 gallon tank, but I told him that would only be good for 1 bluegill and maybe a croppy. That's why it's up to 100 to 200 gallon tank.

 

I would really look into laws first before even planning a tank, and getting hopes up.

The stand I'm building is basically two frames with oak plywood around it because I wanted the tank to not only function but also look nice. Plus I water proofed the bottom (where my canister filter will go) with red guard, and fabric tape. These are both used to water proof a shower, so I know it's going to be actually water proof.

As far as the tank goes it depends on what fish he ends up being able to get. Different fish have different needs.

 

Probably not a lot grows at the bottom except as you said, algae. It can make use of any little bit of light makes it through. With lots of dead trees and plant matter it's bound to be dark, tannic water. Are there lily pads? I'd be willing to bet there are. And in the shallows there will be emersed plants like Arrowheads, cattails and flags. Cattails especially are known for their ability to purify water. I'd make sure you've got room for some of everything otherwise the behaviour you get may not be as natural as in the wild. Plus, how are you going to feed them? Will they then become habituated to being fed and how will that affect their response to different baits?

 

Okay

 

I would really look into laws first before even planning a tank, and getting hopes up.

There is a fine line here in MissourI on that. No, they can not be kept as "pets", but you can place them into a tank to " detox" them before cleaning them to eat. Bluegill and Croppy are not on any list that has a minimum size requirement or must be cleaned before leaving the lake. I'm not sure the time frame for the detox, but I do know if fish and game do an investigation, you just say detoxing and if/when you go to court, you just have to show the meat.

Probably not a lot grows at the bottom except as you said, algae. It can make use of any little bit of light makes it through. With lots of dead trees and plant matter it's bound to be dark, tannic water. Are there lily pads? I'd be willing to bet there are. And in the shallows there will be emersed plants like Arrowheads, cattails and flags. Cattails especially are known for their ability to purify water. I'd make sure you've got room for some of everything otherwise the behaviour you get may not be as natural as in the wild. Plus, how are you going to feed them? Will they then become habituated to being fed and how will that affect their response to different baits?

Husband don't plan on keeping them long. To him, they are test subjects and food, so there will be a constant rotation of fish going through that tank. So wild instincts shouldn't be changed that much by the time he cleans them for food. Maybe a month max a batch will live in there. Except during the winter months. They might be in there longer, or it could be empty.

Which of course I tell him he's crazy for that idea as well. Why do it when your just going to eat them in the end. Sheesh!

 

There is a fine line here in MissourI on that. No, they can not be kept as "pets", but you can place them into a tank to " detox" them before cleaning them to eat. Bluegill and Croppy are not on any list that has a minimum size requirement or must be cleaned before leaving the lake. I'm not sure the time frame for the detox, but I do know if fish and game do an investigation, you just say detoxing and if/when you go to court, you just have to show the meat.

What is the law for releasing them back into the wild? I know many states are also very strict on not releasing them back due to being in a home aquarium, and may end up bringing disease and the like into the wild. I personally am very iffy on taking wild animals and keeping them as a pet or experiment.

 

I wanted to catch a few fish that I saw in a creek near by my place and have them in a home aquarium but when I emailed the local wildlife office this is what I received as a reply.

"
It is illegal to capture wild fish and keep live without a permit. We only issue permits for the capture and holding of live fish if being used for educational purposes or research and this is on a case by case basis also dependent on the target species, location being collected, containment where they are being held, etc.

Typically the fish have to be euthanized when they are no longer needed as the risk of introducing something back into the wild population can be higher after the fish have been held in captivity. If a permit is issued there are a number of conditions that the permittee has to adhere too.

If you would like to provide more information : Fish you'd like to capture, life stage, numbers, name of stream you are collecting them from, what gear you will be using to capture them, date when you want to collect them, the location where the fish will be held, the size of the tank, where the tank water they are going to be held in ‎is released to, the names of the other fish they are going to be held with and what is the reason for wanting to collect and hold them, I can review your request.

Thank you for checking to see what the requirements are. Any questions please feel free to email me. Have a great day"

LOL I wanted to collect lake chubs. Never did though too much of a hassle.

 

What is the law for releasing them back into the wild? I know many states are also very strict on not releasing them back due to being in a home aquarium, and may end up bringing disease and the like into the wild. I personally am very iffy on taking wild animals and keeping them as a pet or experiment.

Oh, they can't go back. They will have to be processed as food once taken from the lake. Though that don't stop people from taking their catch back. That's why we have a zebra muscle problem at our lake now with a few fish that don't belong. So they will be food in the end.

Like you, I don't think this is right because they are going from an entire lake to a coffin. If it's a private bred fish, that's one thing, but taking from the wild I'm against. That's why I'm trying to find a solution to this situation. All the arguments I've presented here my husband gave me every time I said no or tried to find fault in his logic.

So he keeps brining it up, and how he wants to set up his tank, so now I'm trying the pocket book side since everything else has not stopped him. Not even "Tell me how your going to get a coffin size tank down stairs and around all the junk down there with out breaking it." His answer was "I'll remove a window and slide it threw.". Sheesh! I'm loosing this battle in many ways.

 

Oh, they can't go back. They will have to be processed as food once taken from the lake. Though that don't stop people from taking their catch back. That's why we have a zebra muscle problem at our lake now with a few fish that don't belong. So they will be food in the end.

Like you, I don't think this is right because they are going from an entire lake to a coffin. If it's a private bred fish, that's one thing, but taking from the wild I'm against. That's why I'm trying to find a solution to this situation. All the arguments I've presented here my husband gave me every time I said no or tried to find fault in his logic.

So he keeps brining it up, and how he wants to set up his tank, so now I'm trying the pocket book side since everything else has not stopped him. Not even "Tell me how your going to get a coffin size tank down stairs and around all the junk down there with out breaking it." His answer was "I'll remove a window and slide it threw.". Sheesh! I'm loosing this battle in many ways.

Yeah the money issue is a good argument. Have you looked up all the equipment, plant cost, and tank then give him the total cost of everything? Plus the cost of live foods.

 

I have to ask my wife about every purchase when it comes to my fish tank. When she says no I say OK .

 

To me, the idea of keeping them to find out what works on them as bait is moot, because if what he used didn't work he wouldn't have caught them in the first place! All he's going to find out is that the fish he catches like the bait he was using. Does he fish for sport or for food? If for food this project is going to make your food bills considerably higher.

 

To me, the idea of keeping them to find out what works on them as bait is moot, because if what he used didn't work he wouldn't have caught them in the first place! All he's going to find out is that the fish he catches like the bait he was using. Does he fish for sport or for food? If for food this project is going to make your food bills considerably higher.

He fishes for food most of the time. Others he does catch and release. Matter of fact tonight's dinner is some of the catfish he's gotten.

Now for the increase of the food bill, he does that already. Matter of fact I have some bait he made in my deep freezer that is made with oats, peanut butter, and bananas..... Among other things. He makes these all the time and wants to try the new stuff out on the fish and see their reaction to it.