The Hypocrite thread mbu

[RD.]

There is no need to run any type of controlled study between a fahaka & a mbu. Their digestion systems and waste produced do not differ enough to amount to the difference in water volume, or filtration required. The bio load will be entirely dependant on the fishes size, and it's dietary intake.

There are two issues at hand, one being "size" for a mbu to comfortably exist in a glass box, the other being enough water volume & filtration to keep parameters in check.

I think that at this point it's safe to say that a 26" mbu doesn't require a 10'x4'x40" tank.

I think that it's also safe to say that the size of a tank has very little to do with overall water quality. I addressed this on page 2 of the past discussion on this subject. (post #15)
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=280125&page=2

I've seen some rather large tanks with high volume filtration, with putrid water quality, and very small tanks with low volume filtration, and pristine water quality.

All of the above is going to be dependant on a number of factors, filters are only as good as the person maintaining them, ditto to water quality. Having a large tank with a large filtration system doesn't necessarily equate to a healthy environment.

But getting back on topic, I've yet to have anyone that supports the 1,000 gallon system for a single mbu explain to me why this species requires a system of such massive proportions compared to the adult size and/or bioload of an adult mbu.

It didn't make sense when RTR first came out with this statement, and it still doesn't make any sense, no matter how many times it gets repeated by those that have never even kept this species in captivity.

 

[Pufferpunk]

yeah that makes sense,
just wondering what puffer the extra filtration would allow me to keep?

http://www.**************.com/forum/library/water-filtration/waterfiltration/

 

[kevinfleming21]

Jenny sweetie, it might help to actually hear your voice once in a while instead of just repeated links being posted to the puffer forum. JMHO though.

 

[SimonL]

Quote:
an extra 8inchs of fish will not produce that much more bioload.

And 2x the mass?

^^ Pufferpunk is correct, the difference between a 18" Fahaka and a 24" Mbu is going to be substantial as the Mbu is going to have twice the mass despite only a 1/3 increase in length.

This is why my calculations account for volume...a 24" Mbu is a third longer than a 18" Fahaka, so if based purely on length a Mbu would need a tank only one third bigger, a 160 gallon. Obviously this is incorrect, as it's going to be a much bigger fish.

For example, I have an 18" and 12" Azul Pbass...the larger fish is only 1/2 longer, but easily twice the mass (and bioload).

 

[RD.]

Quoteufferpunk, while you may not have originally come up with that number, you have probably repeated it more times than anyone else.

I'd like to see where I personally have stated this.

This, being that an adult mbu requires a min of a 1,000 gallon tank?

Are you serious?

 

[Pufferpunk]

Yes, please find somewhere that I have personally posted this here within the past 2 years.

 

[RD.]

Jen, I like you, I honestly do, but what I don't like is how everytime someone starts a discussion about mbu, you have to give them the 1,000 gallon min lecture. It's gotten old, real old.

01-03-2011, 11:52 AM

I do consider 1000 gal the bare minimum and that still will be a high-upkeep tank with alternate-day vacuuming and multiple water partials weekly. Few folks consider the mass of an adult T.mbu. Their mass is shocking. That is a lot of food in and waste out, and not as much room as you would think for exercise.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4759035

 

[Pufferpunk]

OK, ya got me but what about what I stated about room for exercise for this giant?

 

[SimonL]

Does it require proportionately more exercise than a Fahaka? If we've laid to rest the water quality argument, how shall we determine what the appropriate exercise regime for a fish that size is? I can't see a 24" Mbu needing more exercise than a 24" Asian aro, 24" Umbie, 24" giant gourami or similar sized fish.

Also, The Puffer form website lists a minimum size tank for a 26" Mappa puffer as being 250 gallons. This is a marine species with very similar activity levels and much greater water quality requirements.

 

[RD.]

OK, ya got me but what about what I stated about room for exercise for this giant?

Certainly I agree that an adult mbu requires space to move about comfortably, no one here is arguing that. The argument seems to be based on everyone's definition of comfortably.

You have apparently based your opinion on your mentors (RTR) definition, some of us simply find that opinion to be way out in left field.

I have no problem with you having your own opinion on this subject, I just think that as someone who oversees a forum dedicated to puffers that you should be more open to the idea that there are those who offer great care to their mbu, in less than 1,000 gallon systems. There is no need for the constant links back to your forum, or RTR's post every time someone disagrees with that opinion. RTR does not walk on water.....