Would You Add More?

[dgwebster]

ok, im currently over stocked (well when fully grown) by about 2 to 3 inches (based on the surface area to fish length method) and currently have:

Zebra Danios
Neon Tetras
Flame Tetras
Pair of Dward Gouramis
Leopard Loach
Zebra Loach

The middle and top of the tank is pretty much very well covered there.

However the bottom is not so and I could do with a little bit of help on some bottom food scroungers and entertaining maybe 3-6 shrimp for the tank.

However, as the tank is already overstocked, im hesitant to do this. The filter has been upgraded to a Eheim 2210 (up to 160L tanks) so I have no worries about the fact the tank is over filtered and the filter can cope with the bio load but im just iffy about putting more into the tank over all - but my mind still wavers on the "maybe i could" as the bottom of the tank is reasonably unused and my totally un-informed theory being that the shrimp will be not too large and keep themselves to themselves and usually out of the way .

So I open the question out to all those experienced keepers out there: would you add them, would you not. are you a "maybe" person? would you find it poor to add them in due to reasons physical space wise, never mind the filter issues? or would you find that they will be quite happy, a benefit to the tanks life system, my viewing and will keep themselves busy. and finally, how many would you put in if you would?

[edit] I also hereby promise to agree to go with the mass decision made by this board and its people, so please do not just randomly vote

 

[furryrabbit]

you really need to state the size of the tank and excactly how many fish you have

 

[dgwebster]

the size of the tank and number of existing fish is not the issue - but the size is stated - 20 Gallons. And number of fish is described by "it is over stocked".

i have advised that bottom space for them is not the question (as there is only two bottom dwellers) and the fact the tank is already over stocked is shown, along with it being over filtered. The question is would you ethically put some in, knowing the tank is already over stocked?

 

[Tolak]

Short term yes, long term no.

 

[furryrabbit]

the size of the tank and number of existing fish is not the issue - but the size is stated - 20 Gallons. And number of fish is described by "it is over stocked".

i have advised that bottom space for them is not the question (as there is only two bottom dwellers) and the fact the tank is already over stocked is shown, along with it being over filtered. The question is would you ethically put some in, knowing the tank is already over stocked?

im afraid it is the issue as you are asking us whether it is ethical to get more fish without telling us exactly how overstocked you are. but as far as ethics goes - if you are overstocked , you should not add any more fish full stop regardless of specifics. speaking from personal experience it is vital that you dont try and convince yourself that you have space for more fish when you know you really havent

 

[pieman]

In your chase i'd be tempted to rid of some.

 

[dgwebster]

by about 2 to 3 inches

seems to me i did....

however there is a truth, I shouldnt try to convince myself it can when i know its already over (which was only done by genuine error).

Although I've still got the 47 gallon to go up in the future (got the tank, this month is the filter, next month i get the lights ) I cannot guarantee when that will be put together so it would not be fair to put more in with the promise "they will be in a bigger home soon". It can wait till the tank does go up

hehe then i can set up a slightly large nano reef XD

 

[Qays]

I dont think you understand the meaning of overstocked. Its beyond fully stocked, therefore. No fish allowed.

The surface area rule is only a rule, and more (or less) fish can be allowed.

Are you using the /10 rule, or /12 rule?

If you told us how many fish you have, and the dimentions of your tank, then its easily possible.

 

[dgwebster]

I dont think you understand my last post. I said i agree - over stocked means no more (unless tank became understocked).

 

[diademhill]

However many of each species you have the population dynamics are wrong - five different shoaling species in a 20 gallon tank (+ a pair of dwarf gouramis)

Either you have some fish in ones or twos or you are more overstocked than you're telling us.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Not really much point trying to hide it when all it takes is a quick look in your profile

20 Gallon:

4 Zebra Danios
6 Neon Tetras
6 Flame Tetras
Pair Dwarf Gouramis (Turquoise)
1 Zebra Loach
1 Leopard Loach (Neomacheilus, not another name for a Khuli Loach)

Apparently.

 

[Qays]

Not really much point trying to hide it when all it takes is a quick look in your profile

20 Gallon:

4 Zebra Danios
6 Neon Tetras
6 Flame Tetras
Pair Dwarf Gouramis (Turquoise)
1 Zebra Loach
1 Leopard Loach (Neomacheilus, not another name for a Khuli Loach)

Apparently.

lol nice on feeshy!

4 Zebra Danios - 8"
6 Neon Tetras - 6"
6 Flame Tetras - 6"
Pair Dwarf Gouramis (Turquoise) - 5"
1 Zebra Loach - 4"
1 Leopard Loach - 4"

33" of fish in a 20 gallon? I think your fully stocked, dont get more fish

 

[SamUK]

I dont think you understand my last post. I said i agree - over stocked means no more (unless tank became understocked).

if you kno its overstocked then whats the point in asking if you can add more.


no point in getting an attitude with people when there only trying to find out what they need to kno to answer your question.

 

[dgwebster]

oh my lord.

firstly, never hid the information, i did wonder when someone would look there to get the numbers.

the numbers of the individual fish were not the question - what difference would it make if i had 33" of fish in a tank ideally suited to a max 30.5" or 100" in a tank designed to 98" max or 1000000" in a 999997" tank? The question was:

im already a little overstocked, would you add any?

many people (esp experienced) overstock their tanks, often when it comes to adding a number of small livestock to a low activity area of the tank, but the question is how much overstocking is a "at a push, im experienced and the tank is comfortable at that, but would never be recommended to a newbie"

and i came to the deicision and AGREED that I should not add anymore as a result of the post. what i have ended up being overstocked by already is more than enough.

too many people here jump to the "i need what fish, how many and the tank dimensions" to make a choice on a question where those physical limitations are not actually effecting to the item in question.

Or would people here be happier to put 31" in a 30" tank but 110" in a 100" tank? the "little overstocking" is exponential to the overal dimensions of the tank? or is it static 31" in a 30", 101" in a 100" etc etc.

If I had said "i have some fish in a tank, would you put more in?" fair enough.

or if i had said "can you tell me if this is ok?" then fair enough.

the question was would you put more in a tank that is already overstocked?

I apologise as well. i've given up smoking and im covering 3 peoples jobs at the same time. not a great combination and it will be effecting my pleasentness.

 

[Bloo]

i've given up smoking

Well done ! and best of luck

I wouldn't add any more fish - though would say you're just fine are you are.