FRT Questions.

[hmoobvwj]

Hey all! I want to ask those who owned a FRT or has owned one in the past some questions.

I searched some FRT threads on here but it didn't really give me a lot of information about what I'm going to ask.

First of all, I know they like harder water with a higher PH. But I also see them in fish tanks with tankmates which prefer neutral and softer water. So here's the questions:

1. What is the parameters of your tank?

2. Is 2 FX5, 3 300GPH+ rated HOB, and one powerhead which moves around 1500GPH+ enough filtration for a 8" or so FRT?

3. Do you guys see any problems with me housing it with peacock bass of around 7" in a 180 gallon?

4. How much waste do they produce? As much as a big pleco?Or as much as a nice size ray? Because rays crap a lot too....


Thanks for reading and hopefully I'll get some helpful information along with words of wisdom and tips.

 

[AFRO-thunder]

I haven't kept an FRT in the past, but I keep some pretty big turtles (Peter's sidenecks, amazon toad heads, cooters...).

Especially turtles with a herbivorous diet like FRT's give filters much to do. Not because of their poop, but because of the mess they make while feeding. A mata mata swallows its prey in whole, but a FRT will take bites out of a mango or a salad leaf and will leave the rest, which will end up in the filter.

Regarding the water parameters you'll have to choose the "lesser evil": Either the fish won't feel good because of the hard water or the turtle will be more prone to shell infections and skin diseases (which are hard to tackle because of the soft shell).

 

[hmoobvwj]

So a FRT can tolerate a PH of 7.4 (my tank's PH), but will just be more prone to infections/diseases? Will it have any other negative effects on the FRT? My tank is always at 86 degrees fahrenheit, and I can add salt to make the FRT more comfortable too. I'm also planning on buying two UV lights/filters for my tank as well to reduce the bacteria in the tank as well. Or do you think I should stay away from UV lights/filters? I also do around 30%-35% WC a week. I know I'm not the only one to do this so I just wanted some inputs from those who did.

Whenever I do feedings on any of my tank, I sit there and watch them eat whatever is given, and will take out any leftovers within 5 mins after a feeding is done. So worrying about any food getting inside my filters isn't a major concern to me. I also do this whenever I see poo in the tank....(I know, that is a lot of WC but that is how I like my tanks )

I know I'm not the first to house a FRT inside a softer more neutral tank. And I know some people have success with it from threads I see anyways...but I just wanted some input from those who did have success, and how long did it stay that way.

If no one tunes in, I'll probably have to setup another tank hoping my parents don't kill me....
(I would go this way, but would rather not, if my turtle will still thrive.)

 

[mfswets]

i keep my fly river in a 220 gallon tank with 2 fx5s and an aquaclear 110 and a uv.hes housed with clown loaches plecos flagtails and frontosas and doesnt mess with anyone.he just cruises.i do 50% wc weekly and waters always clear so i have no idea how much waste he produces.my guess is prob somewhere in between a pleco and a ray.def more than the average fish.

 

[hmoobvwj]

Care the share the parameters of the tank in PH and hardness?

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

Just keep in mind that any fish you house with your FRT will be in potential danger of being eaten.

 

[hmoobvwj]

Hopefully the PB are fast enough not to get caught....otherwise everything else is A-OKAY? I'm assuming.

 

[elindra]

So a FRT can tolerate a PH of 7.4 (my tank's PH), but will just be more prone to infections/diseases? Will it have any other negative effects on the FRT? My tank is always at 86 degrees fahrenheit, and I can add salt to make the FRT more comfortable too. I'm also planning on buying two UV lights/filters for my tank as well to reduce the bacteria in the tank as well. Or do you think I should stay away from UV lights/filters? I also do around 30%-35% WC a week. I know I'm not the only one to do this so I just wanted some inputs from those who did.

Whenever I do feedings on any of my tank, I sit there and watch them eat whatever is given, and will take out any leftovers within 5 mins after a feeding is done. So worrying about any food getting inside my filters isn't a major concern to me. I also do this whenever I see poo in the tank....(I know, that is a lot of WC but that is how I like my tanks )

I know I'm not the first to house a FRT inside a softer more neutral tank. And I know some people have success with it from threads I see anyways...but I just wanted some input from those who did have success, and how long did it stay that way.

If no one tunes in, I'll probably have to setup another tank hoping my parents don't kill me....
(I would go this way, but would rather not, if my turtle will still thrive.)

My tank pH is around 7.2 and my FRTs have no health issues.
Heck they never had an infection before and I have them for around 8 years. I do not add salt in my tank either. My WC is around 50% a week and I have Pike Cichlilds, Stingrays, Fire Eel, bichirs and 2 Gulper Cats in my tank.

So far, everyone is well behaved

Oh yeah, tank holds about 250 gallons and running on 2x Eheim 2260 and 1x 2078

 

[hmoobvwj]

Thanks! Piggy and Shelly updates soon?
This makes me feel more at ease so thanks all.

 

[elindra]

Thanks! Piggy and Shelly updates soon?
This makes me feel more at ease so thanks all.

No updates. I"ve been too lazy to take pics
Anyway, I'm looking to rent a pond for them as they are getting a bit too big for the tank