I have a 60 GPD regulator sitting in the closet. When I see nitrates start creeping, I'll drip 60 GPD. But, if nitrates measure low, then nitrates are low, right?
Growth Rates in Community Tanks
- Thread starter ragin_cajun
- Start date
yeah course they are, as long as the test is done right. I get different reading everytime!-)
just checked out your tank (very nice) and its far from heavily stocked atm, I'm more than guilty of heavy stock at times myself hence being firmly in the fin level weekly wc crew, your drip just didnt seem enough to me is all, now ive seen all 9-10 fish are pretty small in a big space its more understandable.
I cant validate a drip for myself, water is expensive here and a drip is a lot less efficient at removing nitrate. when they are grown you will need to be at 100+g a day maybe more depending on dilution, 54g each for 10 12-14 inch fish.
back on topic I say up to 60gpd if you want better growth
duanes
just checked out your tank (very nice) and its far from heavily stocked atm, I'm more than guilty of heavy stock at times myself hence being firmly in the fin level weekly wc crew, your drip just didnt seem enough to me is all, now ive seen all 9-10 fish are pretty small in a big space its more understandable.
I cant validate a drip for myself, water is expensive here and a drip is a lot less efficient at removing nitrate. when they are grown you will need to be at 100+g a day maybe more depending on dilution, 54g each for 10 12-14 inch fish.
back on topic I say up to 60gpd if you want better growth
duanes
I just looked back in my email. I've had those Argentea since April of 2014. They're about to be 2 years old. I figure they're 7-8 inches long now. That's pretty slow.
Your tank is incredible. Beautiful fish and setup. I checked out the recent update video but as soon as I get some time I'm going to check out that build thread. Nice work!
I always thought of the 1"/month thing as only really for certain species (oscars/midas/RDs/etc.) and that it only really applies until they hit a certain size/age. Once they hit a certain size (varies depending on species/individual), IME I've seen that growth slows down across the board and that you may notice the gains in thickness and height more so then even length once you get to that point.
It also must be tough to notice size increases in a tank of that size! Just continue to keep your water quality up, keep feeding a healthy diet regularly and rest assure that they are growing!
BTW, what NLS do you feed? cichlasoma or large/jumbo? Have you tried a higher protein food to mix in? I believe cichlasoma is around 37% and the large/jumbo may even be less, but hikari gold is 40% and the Bio Gold is around 45%. I use the cichlasoma NLS, but also use hikari gold, hikari bio gold, and northfin tropical sticks which are 43% I believe. I also feed some frozen krill, which is an option but can get expensive especially with all the fish you have.
I always thought of the 1"/month thing as only really for certain species (oscars/midas/RDs/etc.) and that it only really applies until they hit a certain size/age. Once they hit a certain size (varies depending on species/individual), IME I've seen that growth slows down across the board and that you may notice the gains in thickness and height more so then even length once you get to that point.
It also must be tough to notice size increases in a tank of that size! Just continue to keep your water quality up, keep feeding a healthy diet regularly and rest assure that they are growing!
BTW, what NLS do you feed? cichlasoma or large/jumbo? Have you tried a higher protein food to mix in? I believe cichlasoma is around 37% and the large/jumbo may even be less, but hikari gold is 40% and the Bio Gold is around 45%. I use the cichlasoma NLS, but also use hikari gold, hikari bio gold, and northfin tropical sticks which are 43% I believe. I also feed some frozen krill, which is an option but can get expensive especially with all the fish you have.
Thanks so much. You're totally right--it's real hard to notice growth in that tank, especially since I watch it all the time. My wife says they're growing but I don't see it, especially since I'm watching it all the time. It's kinda like you don't really notice your hair growing from one day to the next.
I feed NLS "Large fish formula", always the the 3mm pellets that sink. I need them to sink or they just all wash over the weir into the overflow. I also feed them freeze dried krill, too. I used to put veggies in there for them, but it's such a mess I quit that months ago. So, now it's just NLS and FDK.
I feed NLS "Large fish formula", always the the 3mm pellets that sink. I need them to sink or they just all wash over the weir into the overflow. I also feed them freeze dried krill, too. I used to put veggies in there for them, but it's such a mess I quit that months ago. So, now it's just NLS and FDK.
Hah. My wife says the same thing occasionally. I may look at all the fish as much in one day than she does in one year.
The large fish NLS is rated 36% protein Guaranteed. Not saying you'll see a huge difference but why not try the Hikari Gold Sinking (40% guaranteed) and see if they like it? Medium size is likely a little bit larger than NLS large but your fish shouldn't have a problem with it. I have never tried the Hikari massivore (47% protein/sinking) or carnivore sinking but I know a lot of people use those as a sinking food for larger carnivorous/omnivorous cichlids and rave about it. Unfortunately, they don't make Bio Gold in a sinking form.
The large fish NLS is rated 36% protein Guaranteed. Not saying you'll see a huge difference but why not try the Hikari Gold Sinking (40% guaranteed) and see if they like it? Medium size is likely a little bit larger than NLS large but your fish shouldn't have a problem with it. I have never tried the Hikari massivore (47% protein/sinking) or carnivore sinking but I know a lot of people use those as a sinking food for larger carnivorous/omnivorous cichlids and rave about it. Unfortunately, they don't make Bio Gold in a sinking form.
