Best setup for some Piranha...?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
S

Syxx676

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 25, 2009
113
0
0
Ohio
Hey... very new to taking care of fish, but becoming very dedicated and interested. I guess I'm looking to figure out what exactly I need filter wise and how to keep my tank maintained properly? I've read a lot and gotten a lot of tips, but just checking here!
Tomorrow I'm going to check out a Fluval 404 cannister filter that I found on craigslist (by the way, I have only a slight idea on what is supposed to go inside of it). I have a light, and know I need a heater. The guy from craigslist has a heater for a 75 gallon, will that work just as well for my 54 gallon? What else should I invest in? An extra filter for the top of my tank? Some real plants? Gravel vac cleaner?

Anyways, another question was going to be on how I should set up the tank/decor? I know it may just be a personal preference, but I just want my corner tank to look cool. Am I able to use some dark blue/greenish gravel for the bottom?

Thanks
 
how many piranha do u wish to keep and what type? i don't think a 54 gal would be a good home long term for a bunch... extra filter would be great!

real plants... i think ur getting ahead of yourself a bit.. slow down...

aquatic plants are not like 123.. they take time, research and a little bit of money.

if ur really serous about live plants i can help u out with that and check out the planted tank forum too. i don't know if piranhas will do good with them since piranhas are omnivores and may nibble them a bit...
 
alrighty then... i just thought a couple real plants were good for the environment... if not necessary, then good!

i plan on having 2-3 pirahnas... and that's it really. a friend told me that i should have 4-6 baby ones though, since they won't all survive. i really do just want 2 or 3 though. red bellies!
 
I have a question... this guy i'm visiting today also has an under gravel filter with 2 pumps? should i be buying this as well?
 
Under gravels rock. If you plan to use gravel.. .A very cheap and effective bio filter. Definitely invest in a gravel vac! Every aquarist should have one especially with messy fish like piranha
 
well i know i'm supposed to be using very fine material since piranhas are so messy, and food will fall into the cracks and decay...
 
what's the dimension of the 54 gallon corner? depends on the foodprint of the tank 3 may or may not be ok over long period of time. some like sand and some like gravel to each's own taste but with sand you'll have to make sure there's enough distance between your filter intake from the substrate to prevent they get suck in and clog your filter. I wouldn't recommend with that undergravel filter, it works ok at first the over time it may get clog and then you'll need to remove everything in order to take it out for cleaning. and you can't use those with sand that's for sure. if you do go with gravel just vacuum it everytime you do water change, you'll be fine.
as for plant goes, you don't have to invest hundreds of dollar on those fancy plants like those with planted tank. you can just get some cheap robost plants such as amazon swords, etc. as long as you have enough light they'll do fine. if not then select some low light plants. piranha likes low light too so that may workout better.
also if you want to bring out the color of your piranha, dark color substrate and background will do wonder.
as for filter, I would say over filter is always better than under filter, 404 is ok for 54g but with piranha I'd say 405 to be minimum for that size tank. if you can get a FX5 and you'll be set.
if you don't want to worry about the reds get too big too fast and may have to need to upgrade in couple years then I would recommend you to consider serra. the downside is they need to be kept solo (most of them) but since you only need to deal with one fish it'll be easier to maintain the tank and water parameter compare to pygo. check out the media section and you'll see pictures and videos of both species and pick which ones you like.
oh and forgot to say this earlier, welcome to MFK and the piranha club :)
 
hey thanks for all the help! my 54 gallon is one of those corner pie-shaped tanks. i actually just picked up a fluval 404, heater, under gravel w/ powerhead, some decor for $50 yesterday. so, should i be good to go now? i think i'm gonna go with some gravel though. i'll need a gravel vac, background, and of course... the fish!
so what should i be putting in each of the trays in the canister? right now theres the foam/filter pad stuff in the top 2, then small gravel, and then ceramic rings.
also, how should i be setting this up... the guy i purchsed this stuff from said something about plugging either the 'in' or 'out' fluval hose into the other side of the under gravel?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom