MYTHBUSTERS

[Blue Lobster]

"It's harder to keep a big tank"

This myth dogged me for years. Now that I have a bigger tank I find it to be less of a problem than my smaller tanks in the past.

Sure it's more of an upfront cost and a little more for filter inserts and stuff but I could never go back. To me it's an unfounded myth.


Why? The water parameters don't fluctuate as much or as drastic. Also the fish have less stress, less disease. Most seem to grow faster and healthier. Smaller tanks often have wide swings in NO3, PH etc.

Overstocking is more difficult in a big tank, so those problems are moot. Plus their is always a little more room for additional fish, a big plus.

It's a little more work at cleaning time, but not much and it's not as often.

Overall, this 110 is easier than my 20 gallon or 35 hex was to keep.

Big tank myth, busted. B)

 

[ccg]

I agree with you as well. Bigger tanks seem to be a lot easier to keep. However, that would only be true untill a certain point I guess, because crazy large tanks would need a lot of maintenance I guess.

 

[SirMinion]

Never heard anyone say it's harder to keep a bigger tank, I thought it was common knowledge that small tanks are harder. *shrugs*

 

[Synirr]

Never heard anyone say it's harder to keep a bigger tank, I thought it was common knowledge that small tanks are harder. *shrugs*

A lot of beginners start out with a smaller tank, thinking it will be easier to clean and such... I know I did. If I didn't have my python, that part would be true! I can't imagine cleaning the 80 gallon with buckets

 

[Dorkhedeos]

well, if you have buckets, itll be hell cleaning it. thats one reason i dont set up my 55 gallon

 

[pseud]

Mythbusters rocks.

"I reject your reality, and substitute my own" - Adam Savage of Mythbusters.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

eh, buckets on a 60g aren't so bad... i'm not so strong, so i can only move about 3g at a time. but if i only do a 15% per week, that's only 9 gallons of water and 3 trips from the tap. a 20% change is only 4 trips. it'd go even easier if i could lift more weight (hardest part is lifting the bucket high enough to pour in the clean water, followed closely by not sloshing everywhere) (if i start w/ 4g, i only get to where i'm going with 3.5 )

 

[Blue Lobster]

well, if you have buckets, itll be hell cleaning it. thats one reason i dont set up my 55 gallon

I do a 110 with a syphon hose to the toilet and a 2 gallon refill container. It's not that bad.

 

[Iron Man]

MYTH: Tanks require complete teardowns when cleaning.

When I was smaller....you did a complete tank teardown and cleaned everything....this meant with scalding hot tap water to kill ALL bacteria...afterall....ALL bacteria kills fish. This was told my by the lfs guy.

I did this AND keep a small tank full of fish. The faster my fish died off, the HARDER I scrubbed!

I had a friend whose mother even went through the trouble to put the gravel in the oven and BAKE it to kill the bacteria!

The saying is right....ignorance kills.

David

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

thats so true iron man

 

[guppygirl]

Pica, you ought to get a python NSCF. You'll find it's much easier!!

 

[GSD]

i hate the
FISH WILL ONLY GROW TO THE SIZE OF ITS TANK

 

[whip]

well, if you have buckets, itll be hell cleaning it. thats one reason i dont set up my 55 gallon

I'm currently maintaining my 55 with a bucket. It's not bad at all. One water change a week of one bucket is almost 10 percent. If you don't have a high bio load it should be enough. About every 4-5 water changes I do two buckets, or if I'm bored i do two changes in a week.

 

[wrs]

I have to use buckets, and when full they way like 45lbs. thank God my dad put in a slop sink so that I dont have to carry the buckets upstairs anymore!

It is easier to keep a big tank stable, but smaller are easier to clean.

 

[Macracantha]

i hate the
FISH WILL ONLY GROW TO THE SIZE OF ITS TANK

This is true to some degree..whether in a tank or lake, fish end up stunted if they lack a required space!