Buying a new tank for my Red Belly Pacu

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BeastMaster

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 4, 2009
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Baltimore, MD
Hello,
I've had my red belly pacu for a little over a year now. He's alone, in a 55 gallon tank. He's about 13-14" long, not too thick. I'm ready to move him into a bigger tank, but have been indecisive as to which size to go with. Price isn't really an issue, I mean it is, but I'm prepared to spend 1 to 3k setting this tank up. I've spoke with the owner of my local pet shop, who seems very knowledgeable, he thinks that a 180 gallon tank would do the job. I know there are some horror stories about how big these monsters can get and how you will need a 500+ gallon tank, but then you talk to people that have a 3 year old in a 75 that's only 18" long. My pacu is big, but he's been around the same size for the past 6 months. I just don't want to go overboard on the tank size, if it isn't really necessary. I guess I'm just looking for some reasonable suggestions here. I can't find a very good reference on tank demensions for tanks larger than 180. What would be the next step? Once I decide on the tank size, I'll be looking for some advice on filteration, but I see there's another forum for that on here. Thank you for reading my thread and I really appreciate any advice I can get. This is a really cool site, can't wait to go through all the topics, maybe can even answer some of my own questions that way.
 
with a pacu, there is no such thing as going overboard on tank size.

mine reached 20" in a 90 gallon (almost 3 inches thick between the eyes) in 2 years.

he should be growing an inch per month if you are feeding him properly.

if he isn't, you need to step up the feeding a bit..but you better wait until you get the big tank first :)

go with as large as you possibly can.

a 180 isn't nearly big enough.

my buddy had 2 30" ones in a 275 and it was still too small. he had serious water quality issues all the time (granted he had two, but still. 30" fish are incredibly messy!)
 
If your willing to spend some money,and want the best for your pacu as it grows,i personaly would get a 8x4x2.5 tank! Also get some BEEFY/HEAVY DUTY filtration aswell.
 
By the way the bloke who runs the petshop you went to for advice! Does not know what he is on about if he thinks a Pacu would be suited for a 180 6x2x2 tank! I personaly would not bother going back there if i was you, for any advice.Cheers!
 
I would really like the tank I buy him to be the last tank I buy him. Automatically, when I think about 500 gallons or even close to, I worry about the weight. I live in a row home, got the main floor a basement and 2nd floor. I want this tank in my living room (main floor). My house was built in the late 50's. How can I be sure that my floor can support that much weight. Is there a cause for concern? As far as feeding, his main diet is night crawlers, about 10 a day, I also mix it up with some cichlid pellets, algea waffers, green veggies and sometimes frozen krill. A 300-500 gallon tank, I have no idea where to begin with filteration. I've never had a tank bigger than 75 gal and just used hang on filters. I really need some help figuring all this out. Guess this was a better stop than talking to the guy at the pet shop.
What would be a compatable tank mate? He's been alone all this time, do you think he would take to it okay?
 
BeastMaster;2740710; said:
I would really like the tank I buy him to be the last tank I buy him. Automatically, when I think about 500 gallons or even close to, I worry about the weight. I live in a row home, got the main floor a basement and 2nd floor. I want this tank in my living room (main floor). My house was built in the late 50's. How can I be sure that my floor can support that much weight. Is there a cause for concern? As far as feeding, his main diet is night crawlers, about 10 a day, I also mix it up with some cichlid pellets, algea waffers, green veggies and sometimes frozen krill. A 300-500 gallon tank, I have no idea where to begin with filteration. I've never had a tank bigger than 75 gal and just used hang on filters. I really need some help figuring all this out. Guess this was a better stop than talking to the guy at the pet shop.
What would be a compatable tank mate? He's been alone all this time, do you think he would take to it okay?
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Because your new to Major filtration,if i were you,i would go with a few large canister filters,a mix between the Fluval fx5s and the Eheim 2262 canister.Combine them both,have two of each..aswell as a few LARGE power heads for circulation/current.:)
 
I had my 2 pacu in a 750g for ~3 yrs. They had slowed but were definitely still growing. Feed them large quantities of veggies and pellets and they grow very quickly. I had my floor re-enforced so I could keep the tank in my living room. I highly recommend that you go as large as you can with your next tank. Good luck.
KNH
 
I think I would like to go with the 375gal tank. I have a relative in contracting that I can consult about my floor handling the weight. I am, however, having trouble figuring out how much the total weight will be, complete with gravel and water. Can anybody help me out with this? Also, for this tank size, what filter & heater combination should I go with. Will 4 canisters really be necessary? I did some quick price checks and 4 off them would be close to $1800. The tank itself, roughly $1500, unsure of the stand price. I don't want to skimp on filteration because he is a big, dirty fish .. I just didn't realize how expensive canister filters were :WHOA: I'm gonna try to pull through this and give him what he needs, I really appreciate the help I'm getting on here.
 
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