Is my 37 g planted tank overstocked?
- Thread starter Vincenia
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- Dec 11, 2011
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None of the plants died yet and I know its OVERSTOCKED! The 20 swordtails i have were born after I got some of the other fish.
This tank is going to have some serious issues, but you can do one big thing to remedy the situation: rehome these fish and start over. There's no shame in it, and it happens to most everyone in their early attempts at fish. Having said that, good luck and welcome! Hope you weren't scared off :/
:cheers:
:cheers:
yet being the main word here..those green and white plants are not aquatic and my last a few months under water but will end up dieing and rotting in the tank.
http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/297782-a-survey-of-non-aquatic-plants/
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What you dont seem to be grasping is that even without the 20 swords you are overstocked. Though your fish might not be the adult size that they CAN get, that is probably because their growth was inhibited by the size of your tank. Lots of people misunderstand the whole "fish wont grow bigger than the tank" statement. It is VERY unhealthy to stunt a fish's growth by not providing enough space for them. While their total size might not get any bigger, their organs are still growing and that can drastically reduce their lifespan, not to mention being extremely uncomfortable. When stocking a tank you need to prepare for the maximum adult size of your fish, not how big they were when you bought them.
As for the plants not dying yet... the non-aquatic plants we see in your pictures can live for a couple of months submerged, but they WILL rot away and foul your tank.
You asked a question on this forum and yet when people give you answers, the reasons for them, and suggestions, you discount or ignore them.
I have a 38 gallon tank and my stock is 3 guppies, 4 swordtails, 2 kribensis, and a rubberlip/bulldog pleco (10 fish all with a max size under 6"). I feel fully stocked at this point because of territorial constraints, allowing for fry from my livebearers and kribs, and just the overall size of my fish. The male krib is 3", the female 2.5", three of my swordtails are over 3" with one male (including his sword) reaching 4.5". All of my fish are active and the kribs can be territorial.
As for the plants not dying yet... the non-aquatic plants we see in your pictures can live for a couple of months submerged, but they WILL rot away and foul your tank.
You asked a question on this forum and yet when people give you answers, the reasons for them, and suggestions, you discount or ignore them.
I have a 38 gallon tank and my stock is 3 guppies, 4 swordtails, 2 kribensis, and a rubberlip/bulldog pleco (10 fish all with a max size under 6"). I feel fully stocked at this point because of territorial constraints, allowing for fry from my livebearers and kribs, and just the overall size of my fish. The male krib is 3", the female 2.5", three of my swordtails are over 3" with one male (including his sword) reaching 4.5". All of my fish are active and the kribs can be territorial.
- Dec 11, 2011
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I had fish since I was 6, I'm not new at taking care of fish. You are mistaken about me being a newbie.
Just because you've been doing it a long time, doesn't mean you've been doing it the right way. There are people who have been keeping fish since the 70's when it became popular who still think you just have to top off the tank when it gets low and never do any water changes. That's where the term "Old Tank Syndrome" comes from.
- Dec 11, 2011
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- Dec 11, 2011
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My dad says its fine till I get the swordtails out... Plus some of the fish in my tank were in my old 30 gallon.
Why do you keep asking these questions and asking for advice and then arguing with everyone over them answering your questions? YES, your tank is very overstocked, your fish are badly stunted due to being kept in tanks too overcrowded and too small, your plants are not aquatic, bettas never belong in vases, and you argue and make excuses.
This may NOT be what you want to hear but it is the truth.
This may NOT be what you want to hear but it is the truth.
