Setup for TVR

[small_ranchu]

What is a good setup to groom small TVR? to keep big one? Thanks.

[bigbettadan]

58 gallon rubbermaid shallow tub........ cheap and efficent.....

Dan

[devins23]

How many are u planning to get? A good choice is a 40 gallon breeder for 2 or 3 tvrs.

[small_ranchu]

I am just researching before I do something new.

[bigbettadan]

You are better off with a tub vs a tank. They are top view after all, and more importantly, much greater surface area for the fish. Plus you want a shallow depth for young ones.

Dan

[small_ranchu]

how shallow then? :)

[bigbettadan]

8 to 16 inches. Thats why I recommended the rubbermaid 58 gallon, it is perfect height.........

Dan

[GlassGoldfish]

The system Mr. Oishi described, and that I used to raise his fish, was like this:

A system of three ponds and 100% water changes: one pond is where the fish are, one has just been cleaned and the fresh water is "seasoning" in it for several days, and one is being cleaned. Its very important that the water is seasoned (pond filled but no fish) for several days to make the water extra nice.

So, after 5-7 days the fish are transferred into the seasoned pond (this is the 100% water change). The pond you were cleaning gets filled with fresh water to get seasoned, and the pond the fish were in gets cleaned. Yes, this method takes a lot of water. And, I did not skimp on pond size for this style of fish keeping (as we're dealing with ammonia here). I used 110 and 140 gallon ponds, and kept the water level at 12 inches or below.

Mr Oishi says the reason behind this Japanese method is that during the first few days in the fresh pond the fish put on body size, and then some type of goldfish hormone begins to build up in the water and they put on headgrowth for the next few days, then its time for a new pond.

His food prescription is plenty of natural algae, duckweed available, frozen bloodworms and a high quality pellet. I have just posted some pictures in my albums of Mr. Oishi and his some of his ponds. I also posted pictures of my Oya that I received from him as CBR, so you can see if this method seems to be working.

[bigbettadan]

I use the bigger tubs too outside. I just use the smaller shaller tubs inside for babies and for my breeders in the winter months, with usually a trio per tub for breeders.

Not to change the subject, but Paul and I were looking into importing the actual Japanese tubs they use over there. If anyone is interested(and we can pull it off), it is cheaper the more ordered.......

Dan

[bigbettadan]

BTW, everyone look at the Oishi pics he just posted on his album.... WOW. So nice it makes me want to cry...LOL

Dan

[devins23]

GlassGoldfish - do u use green water in those tubs? What kind of filtration?


Dan - I'm interested in getting the tubs too. Let me know.

[GlassGoldfish]

There's no green water, because its 100% water change and theres no time for it to develop. If you want you can have green water easily with 95% water changes. Mr. Oishi keeps green water during the winter, probably due to less feeding, thus less frequent water changes.

There's no filtration, only 100% water change every 5-7 days (my style), every 4 days according to strict rules. I imagine that a filter would destroy the goldfish hormone that is stimulating the headgrowth? I'm not a scientist, Neoranchu told me when I got the fish that this style allowed for a slight build-up of hormone that promoted the headgrowth.

Now that my fish are grown, I have added filtration to my system. I've got an emperor 400 hanging on the edge of each pond. I've done this to help cut back on water changes ($$), and to help provide a more stable environment, with no ammonia levels going up, then down, then up, etc.

[bigbettadan]

Thats interesting. I do 90% water changes every week, but I do use sponge filters. No mechcanical filtration though.......

Dan

[devins23]

Very interesting point. I'm afraid with the rate I'm feeding amonia will shoot up in one day if I don't use filtration. How often do you feed young growing tvrs then if u keep them in an unfiltered tub but with 100% water change every couple of days?

Dan - is the sponge filter that u use cycled? It seems like when I do more than 50% daily water change the benefiial bacteria in my spong filter dies in a few days. But I think it could be the salinity level - I use to have my aquariums at 1 tablespoon per gallon - but that was because I was quarantining my ranchus.

[devins23]

Oh and thank u guys for all the info!

[bigbettadan]

As long as your new water is either aged(like glassgoldfish) or treated, it will not kill your biological..........

Dan

[GlassGoldfish]

Right, right... the ammonia is always a huge concern. 5-6 light feedings a day for CBR (hence the need for great water volume). Ideally the ponds should have a light green fuzz coating of algae on the side. This helps some with the ammonia. Look at those fish belonging to Mr Oishi in my album.... can you spot the one with ammonia burns? Obviously this technique has its drawbacks.

[thomasn]

any idea what Oishi's ph is?

[bigbettadan]

I was going to say, harder water with higher Ph makes large water changes easier. Makes spawning bettas harder though, my water is liquid rock. But the goldfish do fine.

Dan

[GlassGoldfish]

I don't recall a ph. I will review some of my correspondence with Neoranchu and see if it says anything. I read that Mr. Oishi uses half tap and half ground water. That makes me assume that Japan has hard water.

[eros]

Right, right... the ammonia is always a huge concern. 5-6 light feedings a day for CBR (hence the need for great water volume). Ideally the ponds should have a light green fuzz coating of algae on the side. This helps some with the ammonia. Look at those fish belonging to Mr Oishi in my album.... can you spot the one with ammonia burns? Obviously this technique has its drawbacks.

yes, the red fish w/ the black tips

[mattpadrigan]

How did you get a hold of those holding tanks?! I've been looking around and can't get a hand on any! Please share with me!! Or please let me know where you came across these tubs! Would really really appreciate it! Oh and, how much were they going for btw?

[bekko]

Try your nearest farm supply or feed store.

-steve

[bigbettadan]

xxxxxxxxxxxx is about to import some fiberglass tubs like used in Japan, so theres an option.... but, for something cheaper, I love the 50 gallon rubbermaid fiberglass stock tank. It is shallow(about 12 inches) and very solid quality, for around $60. I get these from Tractor supply, along with bigger deeper ones for outdoor use............

Dan

[afnaveils]

I bought 5 Laguna tubs 48x32x18 (LxWxH) at 125$CN each. They are in black HD polyethylene and can hold 125 gallons each. The overflow hole is at 15 inches high. I think they are good enough for ranchus. I have not set them up yet.

[William Tricker Inc.]

Gerard...if you need anymore tubs, or if anyone else dos, I will look into pricing...as we are a Laguna Distributor

[judge]

I am looking at the tanks on this site:
http://www.aquaculturetanks.com/

In particular look at photo id 129 on the following page.
http://www.aquaculturetanks.com/new-products.htm

And also photo id 105 on the page below:
http://www.aquaculturetanks.com/brochure9.htm

I like photo id 105 tank better.

Hope this helps.

[mattpadrigan]

i looked at this site and their tanks are way too expensive for me. is there any other place that i could possible look or possibly talk to?