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Trying to determine if I am overstocked...

1358 Views 18 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  DefStatic
9 Scissortail Rasboras (each maybe 2")
6 Guppies (average)
5 Cardinal Tetras (each an inch)
4 Ottos (average)
2 Flying Fox (each 2.5")
1 Cory (1.5")

Fairly heavily planted 30 gallon. I would estimate after substrate and plants and rocks/driftwood is is maybe 26 gallons of water. Fluval 50 filter.

I am transferring my Guppies to a 10 gal to try not to be overstocked. But am I really over stocked?
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you're close. if it were me I would add 5 more cories and be done with it.
you're close. if it were me I would add 5 more cories and be done with it.
I want to add at least two more cories, just it is hard to find anything besides albino and emerald ones at the LFS here. I want to find two more False Julji (sp?) ones so he has some friends. And soon.

I am taking the guppies out to put in a 10 gallon. Unless this isn't actually overstocked. If not, I was really wanting to get 8-10 celestrial pearls for the 10 gallon. Finally have a LFS that carries those.
Albino or emerald cories tend to get reasonably large for cories. Definitely look for more Julii-ish cories instead. Honestly, there's pretty much no difference between juliis, false juliis, and whatever other kind there is. There's like three species that look about the same, they can all be put together and should do fine.
I don't think you're overstocked at all... Few more cories would fit, I'd say. It does depend a bit on various things, but that many fish in a med/heavy planted tank should be alright. Everything you've listed has a slim body shape, which is good.
if your tank is planted then chances are you can get away with being a little overstocked, that is if you do your water changes the way you should. I think you are fine. I also feel that any variety of cory will do fine.
most of the time a lfs will order specific species for you and pay the shipping cost. Buying some more cores would be a good idea.
27 fish in 26 gallons of water? Most will say yes but like mentioned above, doing lots of water changes will let you get away with what you have.

Definitely transfer the guppies to the 10. I started with 7 (4fx3m) last month and now have the original 7 plus 20+ fast growing fry.
There is no hard rule on stocking. IMO stocking isn't about inches per gallon or specific numbers. It's whether or not your fish are showing any signs of stress from feeling over crowded and whether or not you can keep your water parameters in check.

It's really about taking a step back, looking at your tank, and seeing if it looks "busy" or "too busy for any more additions".

If you want to keep the guppies in your 30gal and keep the 10gal free for other fish, then go for it. Just be sure that you can accommodate any potential fry as already mentioned and possible stocking issues in the future.
On second thought, keep the Guppies in the 30g. There is no way fry will survive with so many fish. Live food once or twice a month doesn't sound too bad. Your fish will actually enjoy it.
No, but that filter is quite small for that tank IMO, which means you really have to watch the overfeeding, decaying plant matter, etc since you are at higher risk for ammonia spikes. Nothing to worried about if you're experienced at keeping fish.
The guppies are all males, so no worry there.

None of the fish seem stressed. Although since I moved, my Flying Foxes hide in the swords most of the day.

It certainly does not look busy, especially when I tell people in person I feel it is overstocked LOL. The ottos all hang out on the sword leaves. The cardinals stay behind a bunch of plants near some driftwood if anyone is near the tank. The guppies are all over the place. And the rasboras stay in a group on whatever side they decide.

And yes, I really really really want to get two more cories. I was given a LFS a chance to see if they got any more like it, but I feel I am going to have to request some from a different LFS.
No, but that filter is quite small for that tank IMO, which means you really have to watch the overfeeding, decaying plant matter, etc since you are at higher risk for ammonia spikes. Nothing to worried about if you're experienced at keeping fish.
Curious, the 50 is meant for tanks 20 to 50 gallons, so I figured it was the best option. Should I really look at investing in a different filter?

I have an Aqueon 10 I was going to use in the new 10gal, I suppose I could get a different filter for the 30gal and use the AC50 on my 10 gal but set it at its slowest setting.
It's actually best to filter a tank at twice its capacity, so long as your fish aren't being blown around. Thing with any filter that has a varied size range like that is it's probably only decent for a 20ish gallon tank, plus they often test those filters without filter media. In short, get another of those filters, at least, and that should work.
For the 10g, either use two of the 10g filters or use the one you have on the 30. Don't lower the setting unless fish are getting pushed around a lot. If you have one high-current spot, that's alright. It's very hard to over-filter a tank.
Test your water now and then... Get onto a water change schedule where nitrates stay at an acceptable level, and you're good so long as nothing freaks.
Acceptable levels for nitrates vary wildly on who you ask, but under 20 seems to be a good number.
It's actually best to filter a tank at twice its capacity, so long as your fish aren't being blown around. Thing with any filter that has a varied size range like that is it's probably only decent for a 20ish gallon tank, plus they often test those filters without filter media. In short, get another of those filters, at least, and that should work.
For the 10g, either use two of the 10g filters or use the one you have on the 30. Don't lower the setting unless fish are getting pushed around a lot. If you have one high-current spot, that's alright. It's very hard to over-filter a tank.
Test your water now and then... Get onto a water change schedule where nitrates stay at an acceptable level, and you're good so long as nothing freaks.
Acceptable levels for nitrates vary wildly on who you ask, but under 20 seems to be a good number.
I do agree that perhaps the 30 gallon could use more. But the Aqueon 10 is 100GPH. I thought the goal was around 10x the amount of water?

I have been a bit worried about the flow in my 30gal. The fish seem happy but on the far left and right the flow seems to be non-existent.
When in doubt, add a bigger or more filters. All of my tanks (aside from my nano's) have multiple filters.

Its a good safety percussion incase something happens to one of the filters, and it helps keep everything clean (or at least relatively so).
As far as how many fish you have stuffed in that size tank your on the cusp IMO, as far as water quality goes if your over stocked bio-load wise you can answer that with testing your water
I have an Aquaclear 30 on my 10 gallon, and a Marineland BIOWheel 200 on the 40 gallon long, and I have to say this, the Biowheel 200 HOB is awesome. If you get rid of the filter cartridges, you have more then enough room to customize the filter media, and I strangely enough, like the BIOwheel but you can easily remove it. It moves a LOT of water per hour, and although we do have an ancient UGV on the right side of the tank, the biowheel 200 works wonderfully.
As long as you dont overstock your 30 like this guy did, you should be ok :eek:


According to a calc, I am right at that point.

I just feel a filter that does 100 GPH is enough for the 10 gal. The 30 gal though is a different question. I suppose I could replace it and have the AC50 as a backup. Or just run two AC50s.
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