Is Overstocking the Cardinal Sin?

[Rue]

Pun intended.

I wonder if whenever we have 'unexplained' issues, if a lot of them aren't related to our tendency to overstock.

Thinking about this is what woke me up at 4 this morning...:help:

[Algenco]

quite often yes, but overstocking need not be all bad if the fish aren't stressed by to much aggressiveness and extra steps are taken to insure good water quality,ie, more frequent WC, more filtration.

I raise primarily Angelfish for 3 local shops, my "grow out" tanks would be considered grossly overstocked, but yet I get rapid growth and never lose a fish.

Water quality is responsible for 99% of problems, whether it is from overcrowding or poor maintenance the result is the same

[Wild Turkey]

Water quality is responsible for 99% of problems, whether it is from overcrowding or poor maintenance the result is the same

Well said, i agree.

[Algenco]

would a 55g with 400 quarter sized Angels be overstocked?

[Wild Turkey]

would a 55g with 400 quarter sized Angels be overstocked?

Not anymore overstocked than the 10-20gallon angel tanks at the petstore. Which is the idea isnt it? Just a temporary holding tank, not a permanent home for them.

[Rue]

Yes...I was thinking beyond water changes though...so that wouldn't make it the cardinal sin...

...what's the name of the sin following the cardinal sin?

I'd love to see 400 angels in a 55g though! Post a picture if you can! LOL.
I was also thinking that part of the over-stocking issue - for the 'pet tank' owner is that you really never get to see really well set-up tanks anywhere!

The petstores overstock by necessity - the few tanks I've seen in restaurants are NOT looked after properly, so don't serve as a good example. And I've only seen one large tank in a hotel that looked good. I've seen a few nice reef tanks since I started mine...but no FW tanks. Those I've only seen on-line...

[Algenco]

I do 50% WC 4-5 times per week, 2 Emperor 400, 4 Hydor 5 Pro sponge filters
filters are cleaned every other daythumbs2:

[Rue]

You have excellent water quality.thumbs2: :19: :goldfish:

Most 'pet tanks' likely don't...

[Algenco]

Rue, there's nothing more beautiful than a large planted tank lightly stocked with the right fish.
I had the pleasure once of seeing such a tank, 300g heavily planted,w/ 12 Discus and 300 Cardinal Tetras:18:

[Mith]

quite often yes, but overstocking need not be all bad if the fish aren't stressed by to much aggressiveness and extra steps are taken to insure good water quality,ie, more frequent WC, more filtration.

I raise primarily Angelfish for 3 local shops, my "grow out" tanks would be considered grossly overstocked, but yet I get rapid growth and never lose a fish.

Water quality is responsible for 99% of problems, whether it is from overcrowding or poor maintenance the result is the same


(Mith wondering if he can fit 3000 Calvas fish in his tank...)

[Mith]

I have found that overstocking is not normally a problem... most of the problems begin once you get INTO the stockings..... ya know what I mean....? wink wink nudge nudge?

lol