Overstocked?

Ruskull · Mar 25, 2012

Hello,

I have a 36 gallon (136 Liter) bowfront tank w/ a Penguin 200 Bio Wheel filter. The substrate is roughly 75-80% black sand with approx. 20-25% black gravel. The tank is what I'd call moderately planted with Wisteria, Anubias, Bacopa & Swords. Current stock is shown in my signature & the sig. picture is only a few weeks old so it's fairly accurate.

My question is, should I add (2) more Von Rio Flame Tetras and a single Lemon Tetra? I just found a local fish store that has the "hard to come by" wild type Rios that have the vertical stripes on the their sides. I added (2) yesterday to bring the total up to (8) but there were (2) more available. Should I get them? Also, I've been meaning to up the number of Lemons by at least (1) and they had some of those as well.

I'm no expert but I believe the captive bred Von Rios are brighter colored but they don't have the vertical stripes, while the wild caught versions are duller with the stripes. So far they all seem fine.

Should I add them and if I do, should I upgrade or add another filter?

Ruskull · Mar 25, 2012

FishFanatic04 · Mar 25, 2012

If your filter is handling that stock really well now, I would think that the extra tetras would fit. For someone who isn't as caring over their tanks I might say no. But you obviously are maintaining yours well :good:

Man of fish · Mar 25, 2012

Yes I don't see how 3 tetras would make that big of a difference. And since you stay on top of maintnence I say go for it!

Ruskull · Mar 25, 2012

Thanks. So that's 2 votes yes to 0 votes no. Not a real good measuring stick but better than nothing. :lol:

The new striped Von Rios are handling themselves fine so far too, kinda establishing themselves with the Von Rio crowd. I don't know, I'm just as worried about the 'vibe" of the tank as to whether or not it can handle the bio load. I wouldn't want to add any Gouramis for the vibe factor since everyone seems to be getting along fine.

FishFanatic04 said:
If your filter is handling that stock really well now, I would think that the extra tetras would fit. For someone who isn't as caring over their tanks I might say no. But you obviously are maintaining yours well

The good bacteria are doing their thing and the Ammonia & Nitrite are always at zero, but the nitrates do climb quickly since I tend to overfeed sometimes. By the end of 1 week I'm usually at around 40-80 ppm. That usually means larger water changes like 30-50%.

Man of fish said:
Yes I don't see how 3 tetras would make that big of a difference. And since you stay on top of maintnence I say go for it!

Another option is to move my 5 Lemon Tetras to the 20 gallon sand tank but I'd have to re home the 5 Glowlights that are in that tank. My father said he'd put them in his 10 gallon but again, that 20 gallon is doing great as is. I'm not sure how the Lemons would treat the Guppies and the Honey Gouramis.

Dieses Madchen · Mar 25, 2012

FishFanatic04 said:
If your filter is handling that stock really well now, I would think that the extra tetras would fit. For someone who isn't as caring over their tanks I might say no. But you obviously are maintaining yours well

+1

I would tell a newbie that is still learning about their first fish tank that they are overstocked and should not add more. I know your fish keeping skills and how well you maintain and love your tank. You should be just fine.

Ruskull · Mar 25, 2012

Thanks! I'll try adding 2 more Von Rios & 2 more Lemons during the week. I'll update this thread after I do.

Should I consider adding another filter?

Dieses Madchen · Mar 25, 2012

how many gallons per hour does your current filter cycle? you want it to turn the tank at least 5 times

Man of fish · Mar 25, 2012

His does 200 gph

Ruskull · Mar 25, 2012

5 x 36 gallons would be 180 gph and supposedly my filter is good for up to a 50 gallon which is 200 gph, hence the name Penguin 200.

Ruskull · Mar 25, 2012

I've always been a more horsepower is better kind of guy............... :lol:

My father has the Emperor 280 it I was considering either replacing or just adding one of those.

Dieses Madchen · Mar 25, 2012

at 200g per hour, you are more than filtered

8 times an hour is phenominal

Ruskull · Mar 25, 2012

Dieses Madchen said:
at 200g per hour, you are more than filtered 8 times an hour is phenominal

Yeah, maybe I'll just replace the Penguin 200 with the Emperor 280. I like the way my father's has adjustments for the spray bar & flow better than mine anyway. This way I can keep the 200 for another tank in the future............. :shifty: