This is my first post, so hello. I have been considering getting rbp for some time now. I came across this site a week or so ago and have been reading through the piranha forum a lot. I have learned a lot and feel I could successfully house 3 in a 75 gallon tank and would be willing to upgrade it down the road although from what I've read that wouldn't really be necessary if I was only keeping 3. My main concern is the water at my home. I have a well and It is softened with salt pellets and I was curious if that would be bad for the fish. I know there is conditioner to dechlorinate so I'm not worried about the chlorine. any input would be appreciated. Thank you.
piranha keeping concerns
- Thread starter FeindinMan
- Start date
Way back when, I kept mine in that same type of water at my parents house in the boonies. Had them there for like 6 years until I moved out and took them with me to the city. Never had any problems with the water softner. Sounds like you've done some homework. Just keep an eye on the parimeters and Good luck. And welcome
I currently have my RBP in softened water, as well as a green spot puffer, goldfish, a clown knife, a bullhead catfish, a pleco, a red-tailed shark and a jellybean cichlid. Never once have I had a problem.
If you're really worried about it though, you could go with the hose water, unless that's hooked to your softener too (ours isn't) but then you'll really need your dechlorinater.
Some of fishkeepers even treat their tanks with softener salt from time to time.
If you're really worried about it though, you could go with the hose water, unless that's hooked to your softener too (ours isn't) but then you'll really need your dechlorinater.
Some of fishkeepers even treat their tanks with softener salt from time to time.
what about heating the upstairs (where the tank would be) stay kind of cold in the winter. Any suggestion on size or amount of heaters. Also would I be better off with canister filters or the kind that hang over the back for a 75 gal tank. I wasn't sure if I'd get enough water cycled with those kind.
I have a hang-on filter, powered for 100 gallons (always overfilter your piranhas). I prefer them, because of the waterfall. I feel that gets more surface motion going for gas exchange, it pushes debirs around the tank back to itself (mine's hung on the END of the tank) and it makes a noise that I can hear when it's working. I have 1 big heater.....I don't know what brand or anything, since it was given to us. But it's for a 75 gallon.
If your fish tank is away from your windows, and the room where they are is kept warm (70-80*) Your fish should be ok.
Good Luck!!
If your fish tank is away from your windows, and the room where they are is kept warm (70-80*) Your fish should be ok.
Good Luck!!
Thank you both very much I think everything else I need to know I've learned from repitition from reading all of these threads. I'm still planning on taking it slow it may be a couple months before I have it all set up plus I's like to get some low light plants filling out in there before I stock it. Probably just some amazon swords. I'll post pictures when ever I get things started i value any input from anyone with experience as mine is somewhat limited.
Also, to bring out color in your fish, and their activity, use blackwater. Pevine11 told me about it, and when I used it with mine, there was a BIG difference!!
You can use driftwood, peat in your filter (I think it was) or this blackwater extract by tetra. ALSO www.fosterandsmith.com has substrate for planted tanks that creates blackwater.
Just something to consider
You can use driftwood, peat in your filter (I think it was) or this blackwater extract by tetra. ALSO www.fosterandsmith.com has substrate for planted tanks that creates blackwater.
Just something to consider
I was gonna ask your preference on black water extract. Do you have live plants in your tank? If so what do you use for lighting and do you mess with c02 because I'm not really looking to get into that it seems like a hassle. But I'll get to it eventually if it makes a big difference. Like I said I was gonna go with low light plants.
I don't have live plants in my piranha tank, simply because I've been setting up other tanks at this point in time. BUT, I have had them in there before, and I just use a regular fish-tank light, with black electrical tape most of the way around the bulb. It dims the light enough that it down't hurt my piranha's eyes.