Put an end to some myths
- Thread starter Fishman0
- Start date
i would have to disagree with that logic..... it's more of water quality because as a fish gets so big in a small tank the filters will most likely not be able to keep up with all the waste thus polluting the water a lot faster. It's like if you throw 50 goldfish in a 10 gallon tank u have to do a lot of water changes to maintain good water quality but if you throw it into like a 600 gallon pond you what do a 20 gallon water change every year?sostoudt;3714711; said:
For the first "myth"... water quality aside, will the actual enclosure stunt growth?
THEORETICAL XAMPLE: Guy buys a TSN from the LFS at 6", then puts it into a 30X12X18. Water params are kept perfect in every way (as many WC's neccesary to maintain this). If the fish is kept alone, will it grow past 12" ?
THEORETICAL XAMPLE: Guy buys a TSN from the LFS at 6", then puts it into a 30X12X18. Water params are kept perfect in every way (as many WC's neccesary to maintain this). If the fish is kept alone, will it grow past 12" ?
I am aware, as others are, that certain species grow regardless of the enclosure.
Just look at the RTC... it is sold in LFS as a small little juvinile, but usually not sold to anyone who can properly house them.
I guess that theoretical example was bad, instead of the TSN, what about an oscar or green terror?
Just look at the RTC... it is sold in LFS as a small little juvinile, but usually not sold to anyone who can properly house them.
I guess that theoretical example was bad, instead of the TSN, what about an oscar or green terror?
back when I started, I had a giant gourami that I had to keep in a 30g temporarily, when I added him he was 8" and it grew up to 14" before I was able to move him to a big tank.
however, at that size in a 30g, I had to do 50% water changes twice per week, and clean the AC70 (called a 300 back then) every three days as it would clog to the point of pushing the basket up that fast.
so, in theory, it can be done, but it was not a desirable situation, the only reason I did that was that I did not want to give up the fish as I had a big tank coming..
it turned out okay in the end..but it was a lot of work.
not a good situation for your fish to be in..
however, at that size in a 30g, I had to do 50% water changes twice per week, and clean the AC70 (called a 300 back then) every three days as it would clog to the point of pushing the basket up that fast.
so, in theory, it can be done, but it was not a desirable situation, the only reason I did that was that I did not want to give up the fish as I had a big tank coming..
it turned out okay in the end..but it was a lot of work.
not a good situation for your fish to be in..
it is false to the point of the fish outgrowing most tanks.
however, it is true to the extent that, to use my giant gourami example, the fish would not reach full size in that tank no matter how much maintainence was done.
it would be impossible to feed a giant gourami enough food to grow it its full size of 24" (average) and keep the fish healthy in say a 30g tank no matter how many water changes you did, or had a drip system etc. etc.
its just too much.
back when I was at my parents place, I had a 90g tank with two lemon fin barbs (plus a few other fish) that grew giant and I was able to do enough maintainenece to keep them very healthy, since I was only a few years ago, I have a pic:
this illustrates what we have been talking about: if you keep your water clean and feed good food, most fish that get large are going to do so, even if it means outgrowing their tank.
so for all practical purposes, of course, the myth is false.
but true in the sense that, say, if you put a redtail in a 90g you would not be able to keep the water clean enough such that it stays healthy in order for it to reach 5 feet.
but it would probably reach 2 feet..
larger tank = you can feed more food while still maintaining good water quality so your fish get larger.
its not the tank size, its the amount of foo you are able to feed and still keep the quality up (due to the dilution volume)
however, it is true to the extent that, to use my giant gourami example, the fish would not reach full size in that tank no matter how much maintainence was done.
it would be impossible to feed a giant gourami enough food to grow it its full size of 24" (average) and keep the fish healthy in say a 30g tank no matter how many water changes you did, or had a drip system etc. etc.
its just too much.
back when I was at my parents place, I had a 90g tank with two lemon fin barbs (plus a few other fish) that grew giant and I was able to do enough maintainenece to keep them very healthy, since I was only a few years ago, I have a pic:
this illustrates what we have been talking about: if you keep your water clean and feed good food, most fish that get large are going to do so, even if it means outgrowing their tank.
so for all practical purposes, of course, the myth is false.
but true in the sense that, say, if you put a redtail in a 90g you would not be able to keep the water clean enough such that it stays healthy in order for it to reach 5 feet.
but it would probably reach 2 feet..
larger tank = you can feed more food while still maintaining good water quality so your fish get larger.
its not the tank size, its the amount of foo you are able to feed and still keep the quality up (due to the dilution volume)
