Overstocking Good Or Bad?

[stargirly1208]

I know a lot of people have different opinions for overstocking their tanks... So I shall ask, is it really a good idea to overstock to lower the aggression in an african cichlid tank?

I was wondering because I am going to acquire my mom's 55 gallon (48"x12.5"x21.3") and I want to know how many fish I should get. I was thinking about sticking to the lake malawi cichlids. Also there is one 60gallon whisper filter already in the tank and I was planning on getting another for the other side.

What is everyone's opinion about this? (also some suggestions on fish would be greatly appreciated. I already know I want yellow labs)

 

[rocknurworld2006]

I know a lot of people have different opinions for overstocking their tanks... So I shall ask, is it really a good idea to overstock to lower the aggression in an african cichlid tank?

I was wondering because I am going to acquire my mom's 55 gallon (48"x12.5"x21.3") and I want to know how many fish I should get. I was thinking about sticking to the lake malawi cichlids. Also there is one 60gallon whisper filter already in the tank and I was planning on getting another for the other side.

What is everyone's opinion about this? (also some suggestions on fish would be greatly appreciated. I already know I want yellow labs)

yes definately, overstocked you will see when you get the tank
your probably looking at about 20 malawis.
but becarefull what you ppick and a tip DONT get auratus as their far too aggressive.
look at my malawi tank in members pictures look at the stocking its a good mix and not too aggressive.

 

[darrel69]

Yes, overstocking is a good way to minimize aggression. Wether you like too is up to you, but wether you need to depends on your own opinion, tank size, species ect... Stay away from overly aggressive fish like the Metriaclima Lombardoi or any of the Melanochromis genus.

A nice contrast of colours, not so overly aggressive, and good 'starter' fish to go with your Yellow Labs are .. C.Afra, P.Acei, M.Estherae, P.Socolofi ect ... Ive overstocked and have about 25 fish in a 50gal (its in the pinned members tank pic thread). I have no problems at all (even thought i have 3 auratus , but they're getting rehomed soon). If you want to overstock, id go with about 25 fish also.

Good Luck

 

[emmsy]

overstocking puts more pressure on tank setup like filters and perams. More fish = more maintenance IMHO

Emma

 

[darrel69]

overstocking puts more pressure on tank setup like filters and perams. More fish = more maintenance IMHO

Emma

Yea thats true. If you overstock, an extra filter is proberbly in order. You'll need something like 10x turnover per hour depending on how heavily stocked you are. And at least 50% water change per week. My water parameters dont seem to get affected though...

 

[stargirly1208]

So if I get another 60 gallon whisper filter will that be enough for about 20 fish? That would be 120 gallons of water being filtered.

 

[james41683]

So if I get another 60 gallon whisper filter will that be enough for about 20 fish? That would be 120 gallons of water being filtered.

i would ditch the whisper all together, the way they are built doesnt allow you to put any filter media in it. if i remember right it only has the cotton like pad with carbon in it. if you want to stick with a hang on back filter then i would look into the aquaclear 110, or look into a canister filter by rena or fluval.

 

[darrel69]

Ive no expericence with a 'whisper' ....

But reguarding turnover ect ... your tank is 55gal, right ?... If your starting with juvies about a 6x turnover imo would be good. Thats 330gal per hour of filtration you'll need. As the get older and turn into adults OR if you start off with adults, imo a 10x turnover would be good, thats 550gal per hour. If you plan on really overstocking than a 12x - 14x turnover imo would be needed.

 

[stargirly1208]

ok... So what are your recommendations for filters. All I have ever used is the hang on the backs. The whisper filter has two carbon packs each with two sponges for bacterial growth to grow.
If I need better filtration then I would rather plan for when the fish become adults. We're thinking about 22 fish for this tank so what would you recommend? Let me know what the good filters are

I'm not sure if I want to go to canister. I like the idea of the aquaclear filters. the highest you can get is 500gph so How many should I get?

 

[rocknurworld2006]

overstocking puts more pressure on tank setup like filters and perams. More fish = more maintenance IMHO

Emma

Yea thats true. If you overstock, an extra filter is proberbly in order. You'll need something like 10x turnover per hour depending on how heavily stocked you are. And at least 50% water change per week. My water parameters dont seem to get affected though...

.

I run anoverhead built in trickle filter and a large internal filter and change 25% weekly on my 77gallon and all my levels are always perfect checked evry week!!

 

[stargirly1208]

What is your opinions about this filter? Good idea or not? (I would of course need 2 model 75s)
Filter

Or my other option is this filter...... I would get 2 300 models Filter 2

Let me know what you think!!

 

[james41683]

What is your opinions about this filter? Good idea or not? (I would of course need 2 model 75s)
Filter

Or my other option is this filter...... I would get 2 300 models Filter 2

Let me know what you think!!

if you have the money and you really want to stay with the hang on back type go with the hagen aquaclear 110, the one in your second link. just scroll down and youll see the greenish box with the different models. the 110 flows 500 gallons per hour and has ceramic rings for bacteria growth.

 

[darrel69]

Ive no experience with those filters... but you could get one that does about 330gph, than add another one when they start to turn into adults.

Why wont you have a canister filter anyway ? ... They're not as scary as they look LOL.

 

[stargirly1208]

Ive no experience with those filters... but you could get one that does about 330gph, than add another one when they start to turn into adults.

Why wont you have a canister filter anyway ? ... They're not as scary as they look LOL.

well, mainly due to cost. I would rather get one that would filter when they turn into adults and I'm not sure what one would do 600 gph. I'm only experienced with the hanging filters. I'm not really sure how to hook one up or anything either, or what kinds of filter media would go in. The filters I use now are very easy because I just change the carbon pad and leave the bacterial sponge alone lol. any suggestions are greatly appreciated guys!!

 

[lil.guppy]

I have a question too!
I have
2 giraffe
2 Acei
2 rock kribensis
3 kenyi 1 male 2 female
2 electric blue johanni
2 red zebra
(recently sold white top afra)
Except for the giraffes the rest are ALL breeding pairs. (I know not all actaully pair) Anyways....They all get along great and I wanted to add more but becuase everyone is getting along im worried. What else can I add if I add something.