Sorry man, I just can't let the one inch per whateverr thing go. There is no standard one inch per any gallon rule what's so ever. It simply does not work! A 30 pacu would not live in a 150....... nor a 60" redtail cat in a 300 gallon.... Again, I can give a million examples! LOL
The best rule of thumb is to do your research first.
And in doing your research you'll find that there's no rule of thumb for one inch per one or even ten gallons. Large aggressive catfish should have a tank atleast four to five times longer than their adult body length, and a width and height atleast one and a half to two times longer than their adult body length. So a five foot redtail cat should have a 20'x10'x10' tank.
If it seems like I'm beating this subject to death it's because I am. It's my job (or I feel it's my responsibility) as a seasoned person in the hobby to try and help new comers or the inexperienced. This (I hope) will help them not give up on the hobby. It's a very rewarding thing keeping fish, I'd just like to help as many people realize that when these fish are kept in optimal conditions they have to potential to live a very very long time. Always understock, always over filter, and do as many water changes as you feel like doing. Because no matter what you do it's still not the lake, ocean or river!
So I promised everyone an update by Thursday, the only thing I really got done was four out of seven sheets of hardie panel installed. Tomorrow hopefully the rest of it will get done… We’ve got a party Saturday, I’ve got work Sunday and three days next week so not much is going to get done again for a while… I hate work… It gets in the way of the things I really want to do! LOL
Here’s some pictures:
The hardie has been glued to the floor with liquid nails:
This is showing one of the preliminary holes that’s cut for one of the bulkheads:
This is a picture of two dogs and a cat: