why the rule inch per gallon doesnt work.....
- Thread starter Mgamer20o0
- Start date
ugh..between MG and Jinkzd its just a one two punch of correctness. LOL, they've clearly and concisely stated all of my opinions and beliefs much more clearly than i could have on my own :bow: from here on out I'll just troll this thread with +1s
Ptrick125
Learning a lot everyday
Add fish until there is a problem, that's my rule.
Sent from my iPod touch using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Sent from my iPod touch using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Bascially, there's two factors that determine if a tank is overstocked:
1) The health and well being of the fish - down to tank dimensions & hardware, various water cycles operating, and the specific needs of it's inhabitants (plant & animal) which could even be variable within a set community.
2) Personal preference - pure asthetics.
Point 1 is the most important. Point 2 to can be whatever you want it to be, as long as it complies with point 1.
1) The health and well being of the fish - down to tank dimensions & hardware, various water cycles operating, and the specific needs of it's inhabitants (plant & animal) which could even be variable within a set community.
2) Personal preference - pure asthetics.
Point 1 is the most important. Point 2 to can be whatever you want it to be, as long as it complies with point 1.
As long as you have a cycled tank with heavy filtration, you can stock tanks with plenty of small fish. You see it at petstores all of the time.
Just one? ... Poor thing! Much better in pairs (Male and Female or two females) imo ... mine love hanging out together.
I tend to keep the 'inch/fish' rule in the back of my head when I'm stocking, I will admit. When I hit the magic number (according to the rule), I usually slow down. From there, I keep a close eye on my water parameters and look for problems. I overfilter big time usually, so I can handle max stocking or even a little more. (33gallon with aqueon 30 quietflow, Whisper 20-40, Aquatech 5-15) That's over 600gph.
The biggest question we should have is how quickly the water quality dips and how often we have to make water changes. If you are having to do water changes every few days, your probably overstcked. Simple as that.
Plants, overfiltration, frequent water changes are all ways to "push" the limits when it comes to overstocking.
Anyone can say they have good water quality........ despite the overcrowding, especially when they replace 80% of the tank water every second day!
Am I overstocked in my 33 gallon??
- 7 black skirt tetra
- 8 red serpae tetra
- 2 silver tipped tetras
- 1 dwarf gourami
- 1 female guppy
- 2 otos
- 2 peppered corys
- couple of snail hitchikers
Probably not...... but then there is the space each fish needs to feel comfortable..... There's a whole new subject!
The biggest question we should have is how quickly the water quality dips and how often we have to make water changes. If you are having to do water changes every few days, your probably overstcked. Simple as that.
Plants, overfiltration, frequent water changes are all ways to "push" the limits when it comes to overstocking.
Anyone can say they have good water quality........ despite the overcrowding, especially when they replace 80% of the tank water every second day!
Am I overstocked in my 33 gallon??
- 7 black skirt tetra
- 8 red serpae tetra
- 2 silver tipped tetras
- 1 dwarf gourami
- 1 female guppy
- 2 otos
- 2 peppered corys
- couple of snail hitchikers
Probably not...... but then there is the space each fish needs to feel comfortable..... There's a whole new subject!
My "worst" stocked tank is my 60 wide.
It is planted with a fluval 405 and whisper 30 (old school one from the 80's).
I have currently in there 6 small (1-2") syno petricola catfish, 2 redtail garra, 1 opaline gourami, 1 angel (I bred), 1 yo-yo loach (want to get rid of but can't catch) and 11 denison barbs :grinno:.
Prob going to get rid of the loach and 4 of the synos soon but definitely stocked to the max.
It is planted with a fluval 405 and whisper 30 (old school one from the 80's).
I have currently in there 6 small (1-2") syno petricola catfish, 2 redtail garra, 1 opaline gourami, 1 angel (I bred), 1 yo-yo loach (want to get rid of but can't catch) and 11 denison barbs :grinno:.
Prob going to get rid of the loach and 4 of the synos soon but definitely stocked to the max.
