Trout

[NEWC]

Hello all! I haven't posted here in a long time. I hope all is well.
We have set up a 75gal. tank. Cycled it etc... All is good so far.
The plan is to keep 1-3 trout. The tank is located in the basement and water temp is perfect.
My big question is filtration and water movement. I was thinking a rena XP4 would be sufficient. Should we add some power heads as well?
Let me know what you think.
Thanks!

[oscarbartoni]

I would check with the fish and game department to make sure that it is legal to keep trout in an aquarium. And what is perfect water temp for trout? Which kind of trout are you talking about? Trout need well oxygenated water and clean water that is cool enough for them.I am not familiar with the filter that you are talking about so I cannot commit about it but you do need fairly fast flowing water. Remember that any equipment may raise the temp of the water and stress a cold water fish. What are you planning on feeding them? I think that a 55 gallon tank will be too small for even one trout that can get to be over 20 inches long when full grown and they do fight so in a small tank they might kill one another.

[Blues14]

We raised trout in my natural resources class long ago when i was in highschool. We needed a chiller as they like water around 40-55 F. We also used power heads to simulate current.

[oscarbartoni]

If it is for education then it should be OK but still check with the game and fish department. Most game and fish department frown on individuals keeping any game or endangered fish in private tanks. I would not wish for anyone to get thrown into jail for keeping a few fish that they wished to study in their own home even thought they might have caught them legally.Plus the fish and game department might be able to give yo a few trout (if you meet their satisfaction) and help you in may ways that you have not thought of.
I became friends with some biologist that worked for the state fish and game department and they would call me up if the found a fish that they could not ID. I would sometimes git some unusual tropical fish that had wound up in the natural waters because they did not want them and they were not illegal to have..

[NEWC]

Thanks for all of your input.
We have been talking to our local game official in regards to the required permits for keeping a trout.
As far as the tank goes...
Our water temp is holding great within a range of 50-55 degrees. WITHOUT a chiller. The tank is located in the basement which is always keep cold. We have added the Rena XP4 filter along with a power head. We have configured the flow of water to simulate a river's current and created an "eddy" area to allow the fish to rest. The tank is 75 gallons. We are currently holding (1) 10" brook trout. we have found that trout in an aquarium are extremely aggressive, so we are happy with the one trout configuration. The trout is doing great! it's color is bright and he looks very healthy. he has been holding strong in there for almost (3) weeks now. At the time we are feeding him mealworms. We are in the middle of winter here in the high mountains. Bugs aren't common now. When spring comes, he will get his fair share of flying insects. We have had some trouble finding good information in regards to keeping trout. We will gladly keep all of those interested in the loop and we will take some photos and post them here if you are interested.
Thanks again for your input!

[oscarbartoni]

Crayfish and other live foods from a pet shop would be good for feeding the trout also.Just make sure that if it is live fish to quarantine them and feed them a good food to give them more nutrition before you feed them. This would be good for your crayfish and grass shrimp if you go that route.