Yep, I understand what you are saying, But if you have the capability of doubling the bioload handling capabilities does that not make it that much better when alot of little fish are used?
My main concern is the leaves and the front glass, other then that it can grow to its heart content.
My top level fish eat off the bottom for some reason, they dont really tend to stay at a level they are pretty much ALL over the tank, the betta has been hanging out on the bottom and laying in plant leaves alot since I got em, guess its better then the wee little cup.
I thank you for the info, now its just if I should get the OTO's only or MTS's only for now or get 2 bigger MTS's and about 6 OTO's.
I am also converting to a canister filter as soon as my budget recoups a little bit. I will have about double the size I need on that filter as well.
Odd Kuhli behavior
Moderator: LoachForumModerators
Having more biofiltration is only one part of the requirement for increasing the bioload.
Fish, snails, shrimp and other fauna also need oxygen, and the removal of CO2 and other wastes.
When you have all of this under control you can certainly add more fish etc. to the tank.
A few thoughts:
If you are depending on power to keep the filtration and water movement going (gas exchange of O2 and CO2 happens at the surface, and the water needs to circulate) and there is a power outage then having a back up plan is very important. A lightly stocked tank can handle a lack of water circulation for longer than a more heavily stocked tank.
An extended power outage can also kill the nitrifying bacteria in the filter.
The fish need to get along with each other socially. A crowded tank increases the social stress on the fish, and if they are not compatible this brings out the problems such as nipping and chasing.
Biofiltration includes plants and algae. If the power goes out and the tank is not near a window it might be so dark that the plants start using oxygen and releasing CO2. If the tank is close enough to a window the plants may go on supplying oxygen and removing CO2 and ammonia.
If the choice is between fewer, larger fish and more, smaller fish the ratio is based on the cube of the length.
Take three fish that are the same shape.
First fish is 1" long, second fish is 2" long, third fish is 3" long.
Fish #1 produces "One fish-mass" of waste, and needs "One fish-mass" of oxygen.
Fish #2 is 2 times as long, 2 times as tall and 2 times as wide as fish number 1, and produces 2 x 2 x 2 = 8 times the waste and needs 8 times the oxygen as fish number 1.
Fish #3 is 3 x 3 x 3 = 27 times the mass of fish number 1 and produces 27 times the waste, and needs 27 times the oxygen as fish number 1.
If you are thinking of the vague guideline of 1" of fish per gallon of water then I have found that you can sure stretch that with 1" fish (like 40-50 Endlers in a 20 gallon tank, or 35 juvenile Platies in a 10 gallon) but have to be quite careful as the fish get bigger. With fish over 2", or especially fat fish the guide does not work.
Fish, snails, shrimp and other fauna also need oxygen, and the removal of CO2 and other wastes.
When you have all of this under control you can certainly add more fish etc. to the tank.
A few thoughts:
If you are depending on power to keep the filtration and water movement going (gas exchange of O2 and CO2 happens at the surface, and the water needs to circulate) and there is a power outage then having a back up plan is very important. A lightly stocked tank can handle a lack of water circulation for longer than a more heavily stocked tank.
An extended power outage can also kill the nitrifying bacteria in the filter.
The fish need to get along with each other socially. A crowded tank increases the social stress on the fish, and if they are not compatible this brings out the problems such as nipping and chasing.
Biofiltration includes plants and algae. If the power goes out and the tank is not near a window it might be so dark that the plants start using oxygen and releasing CO2. If the tank is close enough to a window the plants may go on supplying oxygen and removing CO2 and ammonia.
If the choice is between fewer, larger fish and more, smaller fish the ratio is based on the cube of the length.
Take three fish that are the same shape.
First fish is 1" long, second fish is 2" long, third fish is 3" long.
Fish #1 produces "One fish-mass" of waste, and needs "One fish-mass" of oxygen.
Fish #2 is 2 times as long, 2 times as tall and 2 times as wide as fish number 1, and produces 2 x 2 x 2 = 8 times the waste and needs 8 times the oxygen as fish number 1.
Fish #3 is 3 x 3 x 3 = 27 times the mass of fish number 1 and produces 27 times the waste, and needs 27 times the oxygen as fish number 1.
If you are thinking of the vague guideline of 1" of fish per gallon of water then I have found that you can sure stretch that with 1" fish (like 40-50 Endlers in a 20 gallon tank, or 35 juvenile Platies in a 10 gallon) but have to be quite careful as the fish get bigger. With fish over 2", or especially fat fish the guide does not work.
38 tanks, 2 ponds over 4000 liters of water to keep clean and fresh.
Happy fish keeping!
Happy fish keeping!
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IlOutfitter
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 2:14 pm
- Location: 60118
I do have a 90 minute battery back-up on the tank itself, If we go longer then 90 minutes without power I have a gas generator I use for the computers and refridgerators, I can always run an extension cord to the generator if needed.
I got some fat fish, my platies and guppies are porkers.
The a;gae grpwth is very minimal still, Its the same amount that grew in my 26g and stayed at that amount didnt grow any more or less, no there is no sunlight at all that can even remotely reach the tank so that option cant be put to use or even factor into my algae growth( tank is in the basement on the north wall).
I still gotta upload the pics I promise tomorrow to upload the pics of the tank and the fish itself.
I got some fat fish, my platies and guppies are porkers.
The a;gae grpwth is very minimal still, Its the same amount that grew in my 26g and stayed at that amount didnt grow any more or less, no there is no sunlight at all that can even remotely reach the tank so that option cant be put to use or even factor into my algae growth( tank is in the basement on the north wall).
I still gotta upload the pics I promise tomorrow to upload the pics of the tank and the fish itself.
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IlOutfitter
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 2:14 pm
- Location: 60118
Yes it is nivce to have one, however every electronic in my house is on a Battery backup incase power goes out.
I havnt seen a kuhli in 48 hours though.
I think I am just going to hold off and observe for now, it might be dying or it might just have an issue which its fine just doesnt appear fine?
I apprecaite the help and pics and video will be coming very soon, ( 3 and 4 year olds make it hard to get enough time to do this stuff)
I havnt seen a kuhli in 48 hours though.
I think I am just going to hold off and observe for now, it might be dying or it might just have an issue which its fine just doesnt appear fine?
I apprecaite the help and pics and video will be coming very soon, ( 3 and 4 year olds make it hard to get enough time to do this stuff)
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