125 Gallon Connecticut Native Lake Tank

TonsOfFun · 10-12-2009, 11:14 AM

I set this tank up this past summer by collecting as many species as I could from the Lake I grew up on in Connecticut. There are 5 Painted Turtle Hatchlings, 5 Bluegill, 4 Pumpkinseed, 3 Yellow Perch, 3 Rock Bass, 2 Brown Bullhead, 1 Largemouth Bass, 4 Crayfish, and 20 small freshwater Clams. All the plants are plastic. I have a few pics here, and a link to a short video I took with a digital camera that I posted on youtube.

YouTube - 125 Gallon Native Tank

TonsOfFun · 10-12-2009, 11:28 AM

Heres a few more pics.

TonsOfFun · 10-12-2009, 11:31 AM

And the last of them...

doktornowhere · 10-12-2009, 11:34 AM

I really like this setup. Some of the fauna are the same we used to catch in the lake in upstate NY we used to visit when I was a child. Did you catch these yourself, or does a local place supply them?

TonsOfFun · 10-12-2009, 11:56 AM

I caught them all myself with a scoop net. I would go out after dark with a flashlight and wade through the shallows and the reeds near shore. I found that they are much easier to catch after dark because they are sitting still apparently asleep. As long as I make no sudden movements I can practically pick them up in my hand.

AndiH · 10-12-2009, 12:45 PM

thats totally awesome, but won't all the fish grow too large for that tank or do you plan on eating them at the right sizes? LoL

sombunya · 10-12-2009, 01:08 PM

Did I see a Sunfish or two in there?

Orca Dreamer · 10-12-2009, 05:10 PM

Wow this tank is nice

Great set up

LAVMAN · 10-12-2009, 05:43 PM

i love the natural look! you did a great job. is there any plants you cant transplant from the lake?

Newman · 10-12-2009, 05:58 PM

Dude...freakin epic. that largemouth reminds me of the largemouth i had about two years ago. I released mine cuz it grew too large. those things have so much personality. im guessing you can feed yours from your hand by now right? theyre so agressive and fun to feed (and catch lol) Like an aquatic dog almost haha.

I would say the crayfish is probably getting bullied the most if its small lol.

Great setup, love the fish. the only fish i have not seen in person, being a fisherman, is that rock bass. I've had bluegills and pumpkin seeds as well.

I could see it getting overcrowded in a few years as they all grow, but for now great job man!

View Poll Results: Is A Native Tank As Desirable As An Exotic Tank?
Heck Yeah!	4	44.44%
If It Looked Like This Tank	2	22.22%
Depends On The Fish	1	11.11%
Id Think About It	1	11.11%
No Way!	1	11.11%
Voters: 9. You may not vote on this poll

10-12-2009, 11:34 AM	#4
doktornowhere Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Jersey Posts: 3	I really like this setup. Some of the fauna are the same we used to catch in the lake in upstate NY we used to visit when I was a child. Did you catch these yourself, or does a local place supply them? __________________ 20 gallon: 1 Common Pleco, 3 Peppered Corys, 5 platys and 7 of their fry. Overstocked, sure; but quite diligent with tests and water changes.

10-12-2009, 12:45 PM	#6
AndiH Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 60	thats totally awesome, but won't all the fish grow too large for that tank or do you plan on eating them at the right sizes? LoL __________________ 14g, 3 cory (2 panda, 1 skunk), Colisa lalia (1 flame and 1 blue?) 5g, Divided with 2 male betta

10-12-2009, 01:08 PM	#7
sombunya Little Fish Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: So. Cal. USA Posts: 295	Did I see a Sunfish or two in there? __________________ The name is Joe. Member NANFA

10-12-2009, 05:10 PM	#8
Orca Dreamer Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Niagara Falls CANADA Posts: 18	Wow this tank is nice Great set up __________________ Meet my boys Faith and Keet

10-12-2009, 11:56 AM	#5
TonsOfFun Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 8	I caught them all myself with a scoop net. I would go out after dark with a flashlight and wade through the shallows and the reeds near shore. I found that they are much easier to catch after dark because they are sitting still apparently asleep. As long as I make no sudden movements I can practically pick them up in my hand.

10-12-2009, 05:43 PM	#9
LAVMAN Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 49	i love the natural look! you did a great job. is there any plants you cant transplant from the lake?

10-12-2009, 05:58 PM	#10
Newman Super Fish Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 2,796	Dude...freakin epic. that largemouth reminds me of the largemouth i had about two years ago. I released mine cuz it grew too large. those things have so much personality. im guessing you can feed yours from your hand by now right? theyre so agressive and fun to feed (and catch lol) Like an aquatic dog almost haha. I would say the crayfish is probably getting bullied the most if its small lol. Great setup, love the fish. the only fish i have not seen in person, being a fisherman, is that rock bass. I've had bluegills and pumpkin seeds as well. I could see it getting overcrowded in a few years as they all grow, but for now great job man! __________________ Credit goes to Lludu