My new 125g Piranha tank!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

Atfownz

Piranha
MFK Member
Jan 9, 2006
860
155
76
Here
Finally got my new 125g this past weekend and got it running! It was a complicating process which took pretty much the entire day. So much work that I had a nose bleed on Sunday night…. ANYWAYS, what I did was first take out about 85% of the water from the 80g. Moved the tank to the kitchen for now then refilled it. I ran the new Jebo 838 I got in the 80g to so it can filter some of the old water. Afterwards, I got my 125g up on the stand. I purchased one 50lb bag of pool filter sand from Leslie’s and began washing it thoroughly. After rinsing, I threw it in my tank. I noticed the sand did cover the entire area but I want more; I will get another bag soon. I went out and bought food for my friend who was helping me so I can let the water in the 80g kind of mix (if that even makes sense…) After eating, I came back and transferred about 50gallons of water from the 80g to the 125g. I then filled the rest with tap water in both tanks. I used my fx5 which was originally running on my 80g to the 125g without cleaning the filter. Earlier today, I transferred my shoal into their new home! If you guys could have done this process better, can you please let me know? This is the best step by step procedure I thought would be good for my shoal.

I thought my shoal would act like they did in the 80g, inactive, EXTREMELY skittish, and just all stay bunched up together unless feeding time.
Like this:
old 80g 1.JPG
But, somehow they changed; it’s like I have new piranhas! They are always active, swimming everywhere (top and bottom of the tank), less skittish, and just completely different which I love. This could be from me not using the tank light anymore and just using the room lights so far, who knows I haven’t tried turning on the aquarium light. Did this ever happen to your shoal? Plus, they are still adjusting to the tank too because they are all silver probably from the light substrate and the red is slowly becoming more vibrant. How long do you guys think until the all the pygos will color up again?

Ultimately, the process was a pain, but the payout was priceless. Overall cost:
125g tank + Jebo 838 + uv sterilizer (sold) + other fish tank equipment = $150US + $10 for pfs= $160

But, $160 minus $60 from selling my old 80g, $20 for Jebo 828, $15 for uv sterilizer = so at the end, cost me $65. I was really fortunate to find a hobbist that retired and just gave me everything he had.

I’m guessing that this tank will be able to house them for the next year or 18 months before I need to upgrade once more (210-240g). How long do you guys think it can last?

Item(s) still wanted:
Maybe a HOB filter, Powerhead 1000gph+, stronger air pump, 50lbs of pfs, and a damn background..

Also, I’m going to add some fake plants in there to cover up the canopy of the tank. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy as much as I do, please excuse the poor quality pictures (lame iPhone 4). Let me know anything that I am missing or can make the tank better. THANKS IN ADVANCE.

P.S. Why did you have to post first F1, and make my tank look so crappy… ;P and the questions I was concerned about are addressed in UNDERLINE. Thanks again!

new 125 1.JPG
new 125 2.JPG
new 125 3.JPG
new 125 4.JPG
new 125 5.JPG

new 125 1.JPG

new 125 2.JPG

new 125 3.JPG

new 125 4.JPG

new 125 5.JPG

old 80g 1.JPG
 
Looks good man!


The only thing I see that's is un necessary is adding old tank water, ur just mixing nitrates, if tap remains the same so will ph and temp hopefully.

All you need is a ph or cicrulator and your good to go, fx5 does a decent job on a 125.

The shoal is settling in to perfect water almost, so they may seem more active or happy but the real question is when will they eat? Try feeding tonight!


You should upgrade anywhere from 6months to a year. Good job man, glad ur nats have more room to flex their muscles!



Go S. Vettel #1 rb8
 
Yeah if its a fresh new setup i just fill her up with new treated water and let the powerhead and heaters run. By the time the temp is right, put the filters on and move the fish, if the pH is the same. If pH isnt the same, drip them to the new tank.
 
Thanks guys! I haven't fed them the day prior to the transfer and I waited a day just to settle in befor feeding. I just threw in some shrimp and they gobbled it up. Since they are constantly swimming now, I think that is boosting their metabolism. I even knew some pellets which got devoured too. Anyways, one question is how long will it take for all of their colors to come back? About 7 of them are more red than before, the others look like faded/faders flowerhorns lol.
 
Till they get comfortable. Prlly another day or 2.



Go S. Vettel #1 rb8

Yeah, they are becoming more red as the day goes by. Some of the remarkably are blood red while others are just pale and slowly getting their red on their bottom fin?
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com