Yet another "Is my tank overstocked question"?
- Thread starter sledge760
- Start date
Apparently keeping fish in elevated levels of a toxic substance means nothing.
All well, at least I tried to give some actual advice.
More research on nitrate toxicity
http://jsbss.ric.u-tokyo.ac.jp/Biol_Sci_Space/docs/article/v18/BSS_18_7.pdf
http://www.ehponline.org/members/2005/8056/8056.pdf
http://www.s2.chalmers.se/~tw/DOWNLOAD/PDFARTICLES/Nitrate_limits.pdf
http://www.atlantech.ca/articles/Water Quality.PDF
All well, at least I tried to give some actual advice.
More research on nitrate toxicity
http://jsbss.ric.u-tokyo.ac.jp/Biol_Sci_Space/docs/article/v18/BSS_18_7.pdf
http://www.ehponline.org/members/2005/8056/8056.pdf
http://www.s2.chalmers.se/~tw/DOWNLOAD/PDFARTICLES/Nitrate_limits.pdf
http://www.atlantech.ca/articles/Water Quality.PDF
Usually when someones asks this question the answer I always yes but imo my opinion (sniff sniff) YOUR GOOD!!!
Here's my Totally None-Scientific Method on determining tank stocking levels, if anyone cares.
Question Number 1 - Are your fish gasping? and I don't mean at the top of the water, I mean are thier mouths aways moving? If so, they are sucking water across thier gills to compensate for the lack of oxygen in the tank (because oxygen content is low, they have to breathe MORE water to get enought oxygen). For any Newbies reading - Oxygenation is determained by surface area of your tank this is the length and width of your tank, ALSO the more your filters (or air pumps or powerheads or whatever) agitate the surface of your tank (keep the water choppy that is), the more the surface area is multiplied (oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange takes place at the surface of the tank, so the more surface area, the more exchange).
So are your fish gasping? If so - try adding a powerhead or two, point them at the surface and increase the agitation, and/or consider lowering the temp. a few degrees (colder water holds more oxygen). None of this helps? THEN YOU HAVE TOO MANY FISH!
Question number 2 - what are your NITRATES - Please check out Sand Tigers posts for any questions on nitrate...he's got it covered! If your nitrates are SKYROCKETING between water changes, you probably have too many fish (or perhaps you are just feeding them way too much, remember even if they eat all the food, and extra you feed them over what they need just comes out the back end!). This can be countered to some degree by water changes. I know a lot of people are afraid of large water changes, and your experiences may vary, but personally I've always done 90% water changes without any problems (I figure as long as I've got the hose and water pump out I might as well just change the whole freaking tank!).
And a word to the wise - don't be so concerned with filtration. Filtration is important and the more the better. HOWEVER, remember that matter is never created nor destroyed, it only changes forms. The same is true of fish wastes, all the filtration in the world is only making fish waste LESS toxic (as Sand Tiger proves with the qoutes on the dangers of nitrates). Its ALL ABOUT THE WATER CHANGES (I hope most folks on this website already know that, but I wanna make sure the new guys are being brought up right!).
So - are you doing 80% water changes twice a day and your nitrates are still 300 ppm? Then you probably have TOO MANY FISH (or a piece of meat rotting in your filter).
Like I said, nothing but my opinion, but these two simple rules have served me well.
To be direct about the original question - well the RTC has got to go, but you know that. I'd say your tank is probably alright, but I'd suggest doing larger water changes (surprise!).
Question Number 1 - Are your fish gasping? and I don't mean at the top of the water, I mean are thier mouths aways moving? If so, they are sucking water across thier gills to compensate for the lack of oxygen in the tank (because oxygen content is low, they have to breathe MORE water to get enought oxygen). For any Newbies reading - Oxygenation is determained by surface area of your tank this is the length and width of your tank, ALSO the more your filters (or air pumps or powerheads or whatever) agitate the surface of your tank (keep the water choppy that is), the more the surface area is multiplied (oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange takes place at the surface of the tank, so the more surface area, the more exchange).
So are your fish gasping? If so - try adding a powerhead or two, point them at the surface and increase the agitation, and/or consider lowering the temp. a few degrees (colder water holds more oxygen). None of this helps? THEN YOU HAVE TOO MANY FISH!
Question number 2 - what are your NITRATES - Please check out Sand Tigers posts for any questions on nitrate...he's got it covered! If your nitrates are SKYROCKETING between water changes, you probably have too many fish (or perhaps you are just feeding them way too much, remember even if they eat all the food, and extra you feed them over what they need just comes out the back end!). This can be countered to some degree by water changes. I know a lot of people are afraid of large water changes, and your experiences may vary, but personally I've always done 90% water changes without any problems (I figure as long as I've got the hose and water pump out I might as well just change the whole freaking tank!).
And a word to the wise - don't be so concerned with filtration. Filtration is important and the more the better. HOWEVER, remember that matter is never created nor destroyed, it only changes forms. The same is true of fish wastes, all the filtration in the world is only making fish waste LESS toxic (as Sand Tiger proves with the qoutes on the dangers of nitrates). Its ALL ABOUT THE WATER CHANGES (I hope most folks on this website already know that, but I wanna make sure the new guys are being brought up right!).
So - are you doing 80% water changes twice a day and your nitrates are still 300 ppm? Then you probably have TOO MANY FISH (or a piece of meat rotting in your filter).
Like I said, nothing but my opinion, but these two simple rules have served me well.
To be direct about the original question - well the RTC has got to go, but you know that. I'd say your tank is probably alright, but I'd suggest doing larger water changes (surprise!).
