Questions about piranha's?
- Thread starter Nebri
- Start date
ok so weekly water changes, how much % of water to be changed on a weekly basis? what is the norm? Also can you elaborate more on the drip system and it's requirements/costs?
To be honest the spike in water bills probably won't affect me that much, but currently I still live with parents who are very frugal and the don't like watching numbers go up. Also a big tank for when the day comes that I do need to move into my own place (probably another year or so optimistically. I'm 20 fyi), I would have no idea how to physically move the aquarium into my new place.
To be honest the spike in water bills probably won't affect me that much, but currently I still live with parents who are very frugal and the don't like watching numbers go up. Also a big tank for when the day comes that I do need to move into my own place (probably another year or so optimistically. I'm 20 fyi), I would have no idea how to physically move the aquarium into my new place.
my first time, i did 6 in a 55. I got them about the size of a quarter. 5 bucks each. Sold those after 6 months because i got transfered for work. Whole set up cost me maybe 250 as i got the 55, tank stand, gravel, filter, decor for 150. Added a second filter brand new for 50 bucks and a power head for 25 bucks and then i switched the gravel which was probably 20ish.
My current set up i have 4 in a 75, started with 8 (LFS threw in some free). one got eaten, lost 2 in a heater malfunction and sold one. Got the 75 off craigslist for 100 bucks with stand, new powerheard but got the filters from people selling their tanks on craiglist for 20 bucks each. So it cost me less to set this one up.
The only thing i would do differently is i wouldn't count on losing some along the way. I got busy with everyday life stuff and quickly found myself with a cramp tank this time through. If not for the heater getting shattered and losing 2, I would've needed to sale more.
Also, i wouldn't buy anything brand new unless I had to. Saves you a ton of money.
Water bill? I pay a flat rate all year long.
My current set up i have 4 in a 75, started with 8 (LFS threw in some free). one got eaten, lost 2 in a heater malfunction and sold one. Got the 75 off craigslist for 100 bucks with stand, new powerheard but got the filters from people selling their tanks on craiglist for 20 bucks each. So it cost me less to set this one up.
The only thing i would do differently is i wouldn't count on losing some along the way. I got busy with everyday life stuff and quickly found myself with a cramp tank this time through. If not for the heater getting shattered and losing 2, I would've needed to sale more.
Also, i wouldn't buy anything brand new unless I had to. Saves you a ton of money.
Water bill? I pay a flat rate all year long.
Thanks again Ballin, where I live our water bill is metered 
, hence the concern. Like I said earlier it's not going to affect it that much, but it is a lot of water and needs to be calculated in.
Also what is LFS?
, hence the concern. Like I said earlier it's not going to affect it that much, but it is a lot of water and needs to be calculated in.Also what is LFS?
Nebri;4348749; said:Thanks again Ballin, where I live our water bill is metered
Also what is LFS?
Don't worry to much about the water bill, I have a TON of tanks and seems to be doing nothing but running water all the time, I also have a pool out back and live in AZ where water is like gold. My bill is never outrageous even with the tanks though.
Another trick for saving on the bill is to drain your old water outside and not down the drain if your in and out are metered like mine. Unless you're going through 400g a week like I am then you probably wont have much to worry about though
if you'll be moving and want to take the tank with you then I would suggest you go with a 75g or a 90g, two people should move it easily. empty it'll run 140-160lb depends on which one you end up getting.
my water is metered as well and we pay sewer for the water used so doesn't matter I drain inside or outside, as long as the water is coming out of my tap I have to pay for it.
contact the utility company and find out the water rate and electricity rate, this way you can calculate how much it'll cost you to run the tank and let your parents know so they won't get surprised with the sudden increase. or you can pay them back, either with cash or offer to do some house work in exchange.
its easy to estimate the electricity and water usage and calculate how much they will cost you. if you have questions you can ask or pm me.
my water is metered as well and we pay sewer for the water used so doesn't matter I drain inside or outside, as long as the water is coming out of my tap I have to pay for it.
contact the utility company and find out the water rate and electricity rate, this way you can calculate how much it'll cost you to run the tank and let your parents know so they won't get surprised with the sudden increase. or you can pay them back, either with cash or offer to do some house work in exchange.
its easy to estimate the electricity and water usage and calculate how much they will cost you. if you have questions you can ask or pm me.
Your average shower uses 2 gallons of water per minute so if they are really concerned just skip a shower a week. Yeah Im being sarcastic. Using the old water on moms flowers is a good one too, fish poop is great for plants and it won't burn the roots as much as chicken or bat poop. Plus in the winter you can make your own hockey rink with the water. 
I would be leary about getting a fish tank at 20, remember that not all appartments are fond of having aquariums because of the mold issues. My friend just moved back in Feb with a roomie and hauled his 90 gal tank up into a 3 story appartment. Last week his roomie gave him about 4 days notice that she wasn't going to be able to pay the rent... of course it was a building from the 70s too with windy staircases too. Plus when/if you move will it be close or a few days drive away?
I'm not trying to discourage you and also bewarned these guys will tell you bigger bigger bigger on tank size. There are a lot of crazy people on this site who have waaaay too much cash. Craigslist is an excelent place to look, it took about a month of hunting until I found one I was happy with. Jp is the tank footprint master and thats the most important thing really. It might be a personal thing but its always easier to plan on the tanks length as far as placing it on a wall than how deep it sticks out into a room. The 6 ft long tanks just don't appeal to me because of it.
I would be leary about getting a fish tank at 20, remember that not all appartments are fond of having aquariums because of the mold issues. My friend just moved back in Feb with a roomie and hauled his 90 gal tank up into a 3 story appartment. Last week his roomie gave him about 4 days notice that she wasn't going to be able to pay the rent... of course it was a building from the 70s too with windy staircases too. Plus when/if you move will it be close or a few days drive away?
I'm not trying to discourage you and also bewarned these guys will tell you bigger bigger bigger on tank size. There are a lot of crazy people on this site who have waaaay too much cash. Craigslist is an excelent place to look, it took about a month of hunting until I found one I was happy with. Jp is the tank footprint master and thats the most important thing really. It might be a personal thing but its always easier to plan on the tanks length as far as placing it on a wall than how deep it sticks out into a room. The 6 ft long tanks just don't appeal to me because of it.
