How many in this tank?

[godlikenastyboy]

Hello, I just joined this forum. I owned a red bellied paranaha a long while ago and gave it away when I had young kids... Now its time to start over.
I am about to purchase a new tank from someone..It is a biggie... 220Gal.
It is 6 feet long. I Don't want to put too many rbp in there because they do grow. How many would be good for that size tank... Would 5 work out good together? I will set the tank with lots of plants for hiding and was thinking of putting one plat in there....

[Crispy]

8 would be better in my opinion.

[VoidParadigm]

6-10 would be better, as it'll spread out any aggression more evenly.

[godlikenastyboy]

Really, I thought that would go overkill... matter of speaking.... being that they can get almost 12 inches.

[VoidParadigm]

Yeah, they can get big. But it's better that they're a little crowded than a little more mean.

[godlikenastyboy]

I thought it would be the opposite effect.. to many and they will fight.... It is so different this time because the last time I had paranaha's, I only had one and it was a 33 gal.. this 220 gal is going to be a sure sight to look at... hopefully in a week or 2

[VoidParadigm]

Nope! See, if you have two, then the dominant fish (of any species, really) will pick on the submissive, steal it's food, and so forth. The more fish you have, the less chance there is of the most dominant fish always beating on those that are weaker, and gives the dominant fish(es) more targets to focus on. The same amount of aggression is going around, it's just spread between several targets.

Granted, if one of the piranhas in the school you want to set up does get killed, don't blame it on the high numbers. The fish was likely sick or weaker to begin with, so it was just the school acting on instinct and getting rid of the weakest link by filling their bellies. An easy meal is an easy meal, even if it is cannabalism.

[Northernguy]

Welcome to the Fabulous AC!
Here is a bit more info.http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/predatory/piranha.php

Make sure you cycle tank first.Fishless is a great way to go.thumbs2:

[godlikenastyboy]

glad to get the input from you all... I will cycle the tank, planning to have the tank set up for many weeks before ordering the fish in, oh and also need to purchase insurance before i set it up totally... darn apartments... but good thing im in a basement apartment... darn water is going to weight about 2000 lbs... I think its 8.3lbs per gallon.

[Crispy]

That tank would be great for 8 big rbp's. You'll need god filtration for those messy fish though.

[godlikenastyboy]

the guy says everything comes with it and the filter at the side of the tank looks big... probably have to purchase a second one.
http://i48.tinypic.com/2mdh4it.jpg

[Northernguy]

Thats a nice tank and stand!thumbs2:
It looks like a Filstar Rena xp3.Its a great filter.Two would definitely be better than one.

[godlikenastyboy]

I didn't check what the price is yet for the filter but I would amagine it is not cheap to purchase..... I'm getting the whole setup for $1200 Can.

[Crispy]

I didn't check what the price is yet for the filter but I would amagine it is not cheap to purchase..... I'm getting the whole setup for $1200 Can.

Find out what kind of filtration it has. Thats alot of $$$ for a 220g if it has poor filtration that you will hafta upgrade.

[godlikenastyboy]

Around here, that is a great price... The stores want almost $2000 for a 120 gal with cheap presswood cabnet... This 220 cabnet is made with hardwood.

[Northernguy]

It looks to have one Rena xp3 to the right of the tank in the pic.
They are approx. 200 bucks at Big Al's.