Sump question

[pre98zetec]

Ok, I have a 29 gallon. I also have a 10 gallon with 3 bloodfins, 2 corys and a betta. I would like to add them to my 29 gallon but it's close to overstocked..

2 platys, 11 neons, 5 rasboras, 5 corys and a pleco, if i add the others that will be pushin 30 fish., Now, What if I was to turn the 10 gallon into a sump, Realistically wouldn't it be a 35-37 gallon tank? (depending on refuge size) and I wouldn't have to worry about being overstocked if I added them all to the 29.. Am I thinking on the right track or no?

[theotheragentm]

That Pleco, if it's a common one, is going to outgrow that tank at some point by itself. Just keep that in mind. As far as overstocking, I don't think the water quality is your issue. You are going to be taking away the swimming room of your fish.

[emptywallet]

i would take out the pleco and move the corys into the 29 gallon tank

[jmhart]

Agreed, with enough filtration/dilution(i.e. sump), overstocking isn't an issue, except when it starts to cut down on the habitable space for your fish.

What kind of Pleco, I'm assuming it's a common pleco, and in that case give it away/take it to the lfs for store credit. Do that and I think you're fine adding the rest of the fish.

It'll look very crowded, that's the main reason I wouldn't do it. The cory's will be fine in there, but it'll just look crowded with the tetra, rasboras, and bloodfins all swimming around together.

[Star_Rider]

while the volume of the tank would go up ..the actual area of the tank remains the same..the footprint is often used to determine the species you wish to keep.

an example would be housing a medium sized Cichlid some smaller Geos may require 40 gallon tank..your set up by volume would be close but the footprint of the tank is still a 29 and would not make a comfortable fit.

assuming you have a smaller species of pleco(rubberlipped , bn or clown ) these will fit in a 29 ok but add a school of other bottom dwellers(cory) and you now have 2 species competing for the same space..while they may fit comfortably in a 40 g they would be crowded in a 29.

[pre98zetec]

the Pleco is a Rubbernose Pleco, According to my research they only get up to 5 inches.

[legendaryfrog]

the Pleco is a Rubbernose Pleco, According to my research they only get up to 5 inches.

Thats okay then. While your tank will be crowded, its perfectly safe if you keep up with tank maintenence.