If you have extra filteration, can you overstock your tank?

[Flowerhorn916]

My suggestion if you dont want to hear the truth dont ask. Several people have different opnions and you bound to get some answers that you wont like.

 

[Pretender]

Further to what he said, I left out an oldie but a goodie: nitrates.

They can only be removed by water changes. So, the more fish you have, the more ammonia you have. The more ammonia, the more nitrites and the more nitrates. The more nitrates, the more water changes.

Extra filtering will do diddley-squat on nitrates.

Furthermore, the filters are not removing detritus from your aquarium - they're merely collecting it in one place until you clean it out. Disregarding issues of overcrowding, you will still need extremely frequent water changes and filter cleanings to keep the nitrates under control.

 

[Roan Art]

:OT: Psst, Pretender! That is ONE cute beagle. Adorable!

Roan

 

[laffingbuddha]

OF COURSE you need frequent water changes and filter cleanings to keep nitrates under control, but some of you make filter maintenance and water changes sound like impossible tasks. Native Amazonian waters are constantly being refreshed naturally. Last I checked, sewer bills weren't that expensive, so it should not be much of a chore for anyone to be on top of water changes.
I definitely agree this is not for everyone! But let's not discourage anyone, either. As long as the responsibility for a living thing is most highly stressed, I say keep an open mind.
PS- Like I said, my Arowana does not swim in circles, he's all over the place. If I ever noticed any odd behavior or strange aggression or ANYTHING weird at all, believe me, I would be more than happy to do backflips for my pets...if it would help, of course!