The Puffer Forum

Hey all,

How long in the perfect living condition would it take for a MBU to get to full size?, I am thinking in the spring when we move, I might invest in a HUGE tank, and I have always wanted a MBU. How long would a 500Gal be suitable for him?

Don

I think I am going to have to do an article on so-called "upgrading" in tank size.

IMNSOHO (In my not so humble opinion) that whole concept is mythology. QT tanks are special cases, they need only fit the fish for a few months at the outside. To me, a fish should move from QT to its permanent home. If you cannot set for that immediately, you should select another fish. Many of my fish, and all the "special" ones, move directly into their permanent home even for QT.

I still consider a 1000 the absolute minimum for one T. mbu, and personally would not keep another without something significantly larger than than that.

My mbu tank was too small. I compensated in part by massive water changes, 1/3 every 2-3 days (twice one week, three times the next). The fish had permanent damage to his caudal fin from too small a tank in the "moving up" process. I will never again do that to any fish, or strap myself to that level of other-than-automated changes.

RTR wrote:I think I am going to have to do an article on so-called "upgrading" in tank size.

IMNSOHO (In my not so humble opinion) that whole concept is mythology. QT tanks are special cases, they need only fit the fish for a few months at the outside. To me, a fish should move from QT to its permanent home. If you cannot set for that immediately, you should select another fish. Many of my fish, and all the "special" ones, move directly into their permanent home even for QT.

I still consider a 1000 the absolute minimum for one T. mbu, and personally would not keep another without something significantly larger than than that.

My mbu tank was too small. I compensated in part by massive water changes, 1/3 every 2-3 days (twice one week, three times the next). The fish had permanent damage to his caudal fin from too small a tank in the "moving up" process. I will never again do that to any fish, or strap myself to that level of other-than-automated changes.

The reason I am asking is, I am also condidering an indoor pond for him?, something that is off the floor and has glass as well. I have a plan in mind. it would be a min of 2500 Gals and looking at the cost, it will be about the same to build and maintain as a 500-100 Gal tank, but he would have so much more room. Also because it is lower in height over all, it would be easier to mantain.

but best of all, I can slowly build it, a piece at a time LOL!

Don

Id say build the tank first then get the MBU. It will keep you motivated to build it

xrayjeeper83 wrote:Id say build the tank first then get the MBU. It will keep you motivated to build it

Thats my thought as well I still would like an idea of how long they take to get to full size, if their well taken care of?

Don

I think you need to put that time and money into your family. If you have extra money sitting around to build a pond then why not take it and give it to another family that needs help, donate it to a good cause, or give it back to the people who have given you money for medical costs.

Flutter wrote:I think you need to put that time and money into your family. If you have extra money sitting around to build a pond then why not take it and give it to another family that needs help, donate it to a good cause, or give it back to the people who have given you money for medical costs.

Interesting post flutter, So am I to understand, because i got some very nice ppl donation money for my daughter, that I am now indebted to the world for the rest of my life?, Also I think this post is a bit out of line, you could have maybe sent it VIA PM?. And not that i owe you any explaintion, or need to justify myself to you or anyone, but when me and sophia left sickkids, I gave a giftcard we were using for food to a family who i met there. Why would you assume I don't give?

This post is very hurtful

Thinking ahead and having something to look forward is what kept me sane throught out this last year of hell.

The PPL involved in sophia jorney know who you are, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart,

ALSO SOMETHING FOR THE RECORD, EVERY CENT WE HAVE RECIEVED FOR SOPHIA, HAS BEEN PUT INTO AN ACCOUNT FOR SOPHIA'S NEEDS, AND HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR ANYTHING ELSE BUT!

Again I do not need to explain myself, but there it is


Don

Don, I bit my tongue when I read your 1st post but I do feel that this entire thread is a bit unusual, considering 99% of the folks here can't even dream of affording a tank or even a home built to support a mbu. Yet many of those same folks here sent you $$$ to support your daughter's cause.

Pufferpunk wrote:Don, I bit my tongue when I read your 1st post but I do feel that this entire thread is a bit unusual, considering 99% of the folks here can't even dream of affording a tank or even a home built to support a mbu. Yet many of those same folks here sent you $$$ to support your daughter's cause.

Yes I realize this, and like I said in the first post it wouldn't be for a bit, its always nice to dream think of this post as window shopping, if thats what all this is about then just dis-reguard it, I guess dreaming is agaist the law now as well? I have been through hell and back and so has my daughter, I think we have the right to a little le-way?

Stress has a way of making ppl say or do things they wouldnt normally do. Without something to keep me moving forward I would have crashed long ago.

Don

There's nothing wrong with dreaming. It's just that is isn't an accomplishment most of us can fathom turning to a reality.

man, you have been through hell. You can dream all you want. You can dream and save up.

Of course not for the rest of your life. I just feel that morally that would be the right thing to do.

For example, when I joined the local aquarium club someone else was kind enough to pay for my membership. Money was very tight for me at the time. Money is still very tight. However, I've been putting money aside since then so that when the next person needs their membership paid for I am ready to do that. The money was a gift from a wonderful person, they just did it to be nice. Instead of using that money to buy something else I've saved it up and I'm going to give a gift to the next person who needs it.

I don't know what it's like to have an ill daughter but I know what it's like to be "sick" myself. I so strongly recommended SK because I went there for years. I know how much a donation from another suffering family would mean to someone who's in a similar situation or worse.

I made that suggestion of passing it on because I thought it would be a wonderful thing to do. Nothing more. I'm sorry you took it so negatively.

Pufferpunk wrote:There's nothing wrong with dreaming. It's just that is isn't an accomplishment most of us can fathom turning to a reality.

I know in the back of my mind I will never own a MBU, its my dream fish, Heck I couldn't even house a Fahaka, But it is nice to have a dream to work towards, If I came across as ungrateful in anyway, please forgive me?

Flutter:

We have a family here in london we have helped recently, and I love helping those I can when I can. Like I said, I am very stressed, I just recently got my Bulldog back as well, and he is such a stress relief for me, I can take him for a walk and just love on him, Hes my buddy, I can talk to him and he seems to listen and not judge.

And the only reason I am thinking of fish at all right now is for Sophia, she loves them, But for now I have a Vid she loves and it will have to do?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7deClndzQw

This vid got us both through the rough spots, And this was also part of her Radiation DVD they played for her during her treatments.

Hope you all don't think evil of me, I am just a stressed out papa

Don

If its something you and her both would love then by all means do it. It will help with both of yalls recovery from this ordeal