Ask your LFS if you can post a sign up for free feeders...there's got to be a few people in your area with cichlids that would go for smaller guppies.
Weigh in: is it really "overstocking"?
- Thread starter aquariac
- Start date
a 10 is too small for any BN species. they will reach 4" as a min size I have albino male BN's that are closer to 6"
the females tend to stay in the smaller 4" range.
you should be doing larger changes in that tank or several 25% changes.
my fear is that you may slowly accumulate TDS which can only be removed with water changes.
I have 6 adult discus 1 adult angel in a 75..it IMO is heavily stocked and I do 2Xweek 50%+ water changes each week.
the females tend to stay in the smaller 4" range.
you should be doing larger changes in that tank or several 25% changes.
my fear is that you may slowly accumulate TDS which can only be removed with water changes.
I have 6 adult discus 1 adult angel in a 75..it IMO is heavily stocked and I do 2Xweek 50%+ water changes each week.
I think it depends...
As we can see in all of the posts above, much of what we know about stocking/overstocking tanks comes from personal opinions and observations. Perhaps one day someone can actually compile all of this information into something much more useful and scientific...
As we can see in all of the posts above, much of what we know about stocking/overstocking tanks comes from personal opinions and observations. Perhaps one day someone can actually compile all of this information into something much more useful and scientific...
Aquariac- I want to commend you for listening to advice and opinions that you may not like in an open minded way. Alot of people could learn from that IMO.
So I was thinking about this today, and I'd like some of the other experienced fish keepers' opinions:
I know that the 1" of fish to 1 gallon of water rule is kind of contested. But assuming that it was accurate for small bodied fish, can a tank really be called "overstocked" if the water quality is perfect and the fish are healthy and happy? Or is it just for new tanks? Or for new fish keepers?
I'll be the first to admit, my tank (according to this rule of thumb) is WAY overstocked. I mean, in a ten gallon tank, I have at least 20 adult guppies and endler's (males about 1", females up to 2"), 15 juvenile fry (about 1" long), 15-20 juvenile fry (about 1/2" long), 30-40 new born fry (1/4"), one 2.5" male betta, and one 3" pleco... BUT, my water has ALWAYS tested at perfect (or near perfect) levels, and the only deaths in the past year have been "accidents" (one died by choking on a baby and the other by squishing himself between a rock and a hard place).
So, is anybody else willing to fess up to "overstocking"? It might help to list your filtration system if you do. I run an under-gravel filter with 4" of substrate and an in-tank mechanical filter simultaneously.
Thanks!
I have the same tank, only no betta. and its 10 gallon to..... now to answer this question yes, its way to over stocked. I also had an over abundance of guppy, an explosion of sorts you could call it. I had to do something and something fast ( I had about what you had ! ) I put a free AD on craigslist and gave then away. yep I culled 100 fish out of my tanks, babies, adult mama's and males.both my 29 and my 10 gallon tank. I still have about 25 for my 10 gallon, and I see I am going to have to start giving away again. and I have around 50 platy and guppy in my 29 gallon. plus about 20 newly born platy. next month the AD will be placed again on craigslist for free fish!
what I leanred from these awsome folks here..... responsibility. if you have them and they brred you need to know what to do with the eccess. I learned the hard way. I was sad to see them go, but could not feed them to my bigger fish. hence the over run tanks.
do your self a favor, keep your favorites and give away the rest
you will have more so fast your head will spin. I do my tanks 2 times a week. I do 50 % water changes, and my tanks are in great shape, but fish need lots of room to swim. I say cull the heard and prepare for lots more. :grinyes:
Well, I pretty much expected to be crucified... so thanks for taking it kind of easy on me. I can tell you though, that I have raised over six separate broods of endler's and guppies in this "overstocked" condition, and they have all reached full adult size (btw, I don't have any male guppys in there, only females).
To tell you the truth, swimming room hadn't even entered my mind. But from what I can see, they use all levels of the aquarium, there are no nipped/ripped fins, they all get along (yes, even the betta, he's pretty peaceful), and they really do seem to be normal fish.
To address a few comments:
The pleco IS a bristle nose, so he shouldn't get too big.
I don't only test for ammonia, I do the big three (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates) bi-monthly.
I do a 20% wc weekly.
I completely understand where most of the nay-sayers are coming from though, and if I had the money, you can bet your butt that they'd be in several 55s by now. But as it is, I can't even give them away, believe me, I've tried. Nobody wants endler's that might not be pure.
(As a side note, does anyone want any free endler's?Just pay shipping!) I'm serious though, a few of the issues raised have made me think, and even though the water and fish seem perfect, it's probably best to err on the side of caution. There'll be a thread in the classifieds as well. Just msg me if you want them. (btw, I've been calling all of my lfs for months and they don't want the fish)
Thanks for your honest opinions.
no way am I going to be mean to you. I had the same problem :lol: I tell you craigslist was my best friend. I did at first refuse to give them to some people. they did not even know how to keep a tank and they wanted lots of my fish. I did not want my fish going to bad homes. but...... I had to finally just swallow my pride and pass them out. I wonder if there in good homes, but you know my fish look much happier with all the extra room.
and my goodness, they spawn like mad, and even the females that have been away from males since the first mating are still having babies 
if you can, watch for craigs list for a bigger tank, you mayfind a nice 29 gallon or 55 !!
