Multiple Tank Syndrome Advice Wanted

[karlp]

Having had a couple of years away from fish keeping because of moving around with work, I recently setup a new planted 200 litre community tank. I also got a small 28 litre hospital tank (24'' * 8'' * 8'') with no lights or stand, which is designed to be put away when not in use and have recently purchased, but not yet setup a Juwel Rekord 70 (70 litre) tank for quarantine use off ebay, which I was plannnig to keep a few guppies in all the time to keep the filter mature and have some plants etc in so that new fish being quarantined were not stressed. The main tank is in the lounge and the Rekord will be in the bedroom.

Anyway, as usual the fish have other plans. I have a pair of very attractive Aphyosemium Australe killifish which I thought I'd try in the community tank and are lovely fish except they very much like supplementing their already varied diet with the fins of other tank mates, so as a temporary measure I've put them in the hospital tank to prevent fish losses in the community tank.

So how do I avoid my house degenerating into a fish shed ? I'm interested if anyone has any opinions or has faced a similar dilema ?

I'd quite like to keep the killis. They have quite a bit of character and up until the anti-social behaviour started (about a month after we bought them) were our favourites (me and the gf). They could be happy in a small planted tank with lighting.

It's the slippery slope again....

 

[SamUK]

well i cant help.


i still live with my parents so im limited to jus my room but its ok........still manage to fit 5 tanks in here so far lol.

 

[karlp]

I know what that's like. I had a go at breeding guppies a few years ago and things soon got out of hand.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I went as far as having 5 (big) fish tanks set up at once, including discus, a hillstream species tank and coldwater community as well as tropical community.

Eventually it all got too much between maintenence and cost and I lost interest in it all. I sold off all but one of my tanks and iy 5ft stood unloved (with some healthy fish though) until recently. I have ow got back into it and am enjoying taking care care of my tank and have got more fish.

All I would say is don't go too mad. I am sure I am not the only one it has gotten too much for. After I lost interest it took a long time tocome back. I know there are a lot of people who thrive on it, but just be careful. You can't do everything at once.

Basically, make it managable.

 

[corydorasj]

Having had a couple of years away from fish keeping because of moving around with work, I recently setup a new planted 200 litre community tank. I also got a small 28 litre hospital tank (24'' * 8'' * 8'') with no lights or stand, which is designed to be put away when not in use and have recently purchased, but not yet setup a Juwel Rekord 70 (70 litre) tank for quarantine use off ebay, which I was plannnig to keep a few guppies in all the time to keep the filter mature and have some plants etc in so that new fish being quarantined were not stressed. The main tank is in the lounge and the Rekord will be in the bedroom.

Anyway, as usual the fish have other plans. I have a pair of very attractive Aphyosemium Australe killifish which I thought I'd try in the community tank and are lovely fish except they very much like supplementing their already varied diet with the fins of other tank mates, so as a temporary measure I've put them in the hospital tank to prevent fish losses in the community tank.

So how do I avoid my house degenerating into a fish shed ? I'm interested if anyone has any opinions or has faced a similar dilema ?

I'd quite like to keep the killis. They have quite a bit of character and up until the anti-social behaviour started (about a month after we bought them) were our favourites (me and the gf). They could be happy in a small planted tank with lighting.

It's the slippery slope again....

I started keeping Killies a year ago.

They are a sure fire way to encourage MTS (Multi-tank-syndrome).
The problem being, once you get good with one, there are so many beautiful killies, you'll always want more.

I refer you to the BKA website, www.BKA.org.uk. go to the library, check out Paul Carters "Cupboard Killies" article.
I read this, then set up a small bank of tanks on a shelf unit. basically, 6 tanks, each was 8"x8"x12". Each can hold a pair or trio. ONLY fill 2 with adults. hatch eggs in icecream tubs, put larger fry in a tank, and even larger fry in the next tank. so for a species you have a hatchery, nursery, school, and home. (if you'll pardon the analogy. One reasonable air pump should do the lot.. just use a small sponge filter in each tank.

Alternatively, 10-15 fish, mostly females, in a well planted 24"x12"x12" tank will (Should) be self sustainable as a killie community.

I started a year ago, and have now got a fish house. There is no cure.

your partner should be very happy for you to remove the tanks from the house if you get a fish house, so will be all in favour if you really want one !!!!!

good luck.

 

[catxx]

i plan on winning the lottery
buying a mansion
dedicated a whole wing to fishies

until then do as everyone says, don't go beyond what you can manage!
i have 4 small tanks now. as much as i'd love more, i have neither the space, time, or money for the water bill.