Over-stocking

[jourdy288]

The term "Overstocked" has really become far too generalized on the forum as it has become a catch-all for several different closely related issues usually revolving around tank size. So of course we should try to hone the definition of "overstocking" to be as specific to the particular problem as possible.

Personally I'd like this to be a collaboration of sorts because I do agree that this terminology is a good thing to discuss.

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Overstocked : An unsustainable bio-load. This definition would cover issues such as oxygen depletion, mineral depletion, overwhelming of the biological filter, and other organic issues such as TDS, DOC, and Nitrate levels.

Thus if we consider overstocking to be the above definition, we should also define two most common inappropriate uses of the term "overstocked":
1) Inadequate housing : Containment in an area that is too small as such that it adversely affects behavior, growth and/or movement. For example, although I could construct a system that could biologically support a Common Pleco in a 10 gallon tank, the area in which it has to move is far too constricting to provide good health and quality of life.
2) Improper stocking : An inappropriate combination of species. (This definition needs some serious work but I'll make the excuse that it is late at night for me) While the tank may be able to support the inhabitants biologically, the animals behavior is adversely affected due to aggression caused by territory conflict and/or overcrowding.
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Anyone have input on these "definitions"?

I haven't read the posts below this, but I like your common plec issue. So it would make sense for overstocked to refer to, in basic terms, too much fish, not enough room.

 

[Unseen]

the term overstocked is used when a tank is not understocked too often. i mean how can you tell precisely if a tank is 'just right'? do you measure the fish and compare it to the tank?

water quality can help judge if the tank has too many fishes in it ofcourse, but then you have to look at what fishes you have. some such as oscars produce more waste compared to other similar size fishes. maybe a crap filter will not reduce dangerous chemicals to a better filter also. so it does depend on the filter itself and the amonut of water changes you do.

i am a firm believer in trying to see how many fishes you can get. ofcourse i also monitor my fishes very carefully. i check if they are growing, and if the fins are in good condition and if my fishes are quite active. if the fishes start to get too aggressive towards each other then it is time for me to realsie that perhaps i have too many fishes that are aggressive. i wouldn't use the word overstocked.

if a fish keeper can keep so many in one tank successfully, then i belive i can too. i may not have the experience that they have, but i can certainly try to keep them alvie and well. i would have to say that i use trial and error. if soemthing doesn't work then i won't do it again. i am not one of these people whom only listens to what others say. i have to test things out. unfortunately sometimes things don't work out, but then most of the time they do even when advised against.

infact if i was to use the word overstocked then i would say it to most if not all fish tanks. in the wild, fishes generally have more water to swim in than what our tanks provide. that would mean that every tank i have seen is overstocked. capable of sustaining the animal, but overstocked it is.