Noob Question.

[TekFish]

If you have a filter twice as powerful as normal, can you get twice the normal amount of fish?

 

[CezzaXV]

No, unfortunately it doesn't work like that (though I wish it did - the filter on my 60L is rated for a 200L tank!).

A larger than needed filter will help with water quality and will help you if you make the decision to go a little more on the overstocked side, but a larger filter will not create extra space in your tank. Ultimately, each fish needs its own space. Too many fish in a small tank will start feeling cramped and unhappy and may cause fighting.

 

[TekFish]

I see, but if you have enough space and all the fish are peaceful, will it allow you to get some more?

 

[Wills]

Its not quite as straight forward as that and probably not double. Other factors come into play like actual tank length and size of the adult fish as well as the amount of total waste they produce and how much that will ultimately build up as nitrate.

It also depends on how many water changes you can do.

I think the two important factors in a heavy stocked, over filtered tank is the fishes adult size and your commitment to water changes in the long term because they will become more and more critical to the health of the fish.

Wills

 

[Iiriva]

No, as said above. Think it this way: does a new motor give a car few extra seats? I don't think so. But proper filtration is good anyway!

 

[TekFish]

Well the biggest thing I was going to get is a 10-12cm Banded gourami in a 3ft 200L tank.
I was going to have:

2 Banded Gourami - Surface Dweller - Not Really Active - 10-12cm
8 Congo Tetra - Mid to Surface Dweller - Mildly Active - 6-8cm
12 Rummynose Tetra - Mid Dweller - Quite active - 4cm
12 Neon Tetra - Mid to Lower Tank Dweller - Quite Active - 4cm
2 Bristlenose Catfish - Lower Tank Dweller - Not Really Active - 10-12cm

I was going to get a Fluval Fx5.

No, as said above. Think it this way: does a new motor give a car few extra seats? I don't think so. But proper filtration is good anyway!

Very well, however cars do not have to deal with fish waste and I don't think they work on the EXACT same principle

 

[CezzaXV]

According to AQ Advisor (google it - I'm not sure whether I'm allowed to post a link here) my tank is at 124% of it's optimum stocking level. However, I think it works because I have a powerful filter, lots of plants and a mix of top, mid and bottom dwellers, so each fish has its own space. I also make an effort to do two large water changes a week. For this reason, I sit quite comfortably being overstocked, though I wouldn't put any more fish in this tank as I think I'm on the upper limit before it gets silly.

My advice to anyone considering going overstocked by official rules is to really think about what you're doing and be sure that the fish will be healthy and happy, and not because you want more fish.

 

[TekFish]

According to AQ Advisor (google it - I'm not sure whether I'm allowed to post a link here) my tank is at 124% of it's optimum stocking level. However, I think it works because I have a powerful filter, lots of plants and a mix of top, mid and bottom dwellers, so each fish has its own space. I also make an effort to do two large water changes a week. For this reason, I sit quite comfortably being overstocked, though I wouldn't put any more fish in this tank as I think I'm on the upper limit before it gets silly.

My advice to anyone considering going overstocked by official rules is to really think about what you're doing and be sure that the fish will be healthy and happy, and not because you want more fish.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Noahs ark6]

Aq Advisor says im at 147%, but like Cezza, i feel the fish are happy, have enough space, and the water quality is nearly always perfect
I think alot of people stick to the "rules" to closely

 

[TekFish]

Aq Advisor says im at 147%, but like Cezza, i feel the fish are happy, have enough space, and the water quality is nearly always perfect
I think alot of people stick to the "rules" to closely

It says I would be at 84%

 

[Judgejudy]

Mine says 132 per cent. But mine seem to be happy

 

[CezzaXV]

Aq Advisor says im at 147%, but like Cezza, i feel the fish are happy, have enough space, and the water quality is nearly always perfect
I think alot of people stick to the "rules" to closely

It says I would be at 84%

I guess then, as long as you feel the fish would have enough space and would be happy and compatible, you can add that gourami guilt free!

 

[Wills]

Not sure on an FX5 on a 3 foot tank but its a decent turn over for 200 liters I had an FX5 on a 240 and it worked well.

Only fish on your list I would question is the Congo Tetras as they do get quite big, I feel the tank is not long enough.

Apart from the size issue it sounds great numbers wise if you see what I mean

Wills

 

[TekFish]

Not sure on an FX5 on a 3 foot tank but its a decent turn over for 200 liters I had an FX5 on a 240 and it worked well.

Only fish on your list I would question is the Congo Tetras as they do get quite big, I feel the tank is not long enough.

Apart from the size issue it sounds great numbers wise if you see what I mean

Wills

Yeah I see what you mean.

I tried to get it so that the bigger the fish got to the less of them there would be. If that makes sense......


About the Congo Tetras it said minimum of 114L

 

[Wills]

Literage is probably fine for Congos its more the length of the tank they would appreciate the extra foot or two really. They are a larger schooling fish so will often patrol long tanks and 3 foots just break this up.

Its a tough one to suggest what would be a good option as an alternative. They are pretty unique, what about some kind of disk Tetra? Like Bentosi which have longish dorsal fins and are quite reflective like Congos?

Wills