To many fish?

[Flyacl]

I posted this last week and did not get a whole lot of response. The one I did get sugested that I may have to many fish and I am starting to agree. Any thoughts? Thank you in advance!

55 gal tank containing~

One 10” Clown Knife
Five medium (4”) Oscars
Three medium Bala Sharks (3-4”)
Two large plecos (6-8”)

Adam

~Previous post containing much more info is reposted below~

I have been doing a lot of reading about poor water quality due to a recent problem I have been having. I think I am now ready to post my information and solicit any help you all might have.

First, let me tell you what I have then I will describe the problem. We currently have a 55 gallon tank that we have had up and running for over six months now. We had no problems with cycling and for the first few months no problems with the water quality.

In the tank is about 1 inch of small rocks for substrate, a few fake plants, and a couple of misc. decorations. We are also running two air stones that have recently been replaced.

For filtration we have both a bio-wheel that has been in the tank from day one using the regular carbon filled pads. And I have recently added a Fluval 304 canister filter that has three carbon bags and three places filled with BioMax. This is what came with the unit. (long story as to why, really boils down to me liking to buy stuff). The canister filter has only been in the tank for a few days now and plan on keeping them both running unless someone can suggest otherwise.

Now for fish, and this is where I suspect my problem lies. We started with several small fish. Tetras, Bala Sharks, and Tiger Barbs. We then added a small Clown Knife who subsequently ate most of the smaller fish as it grew. Curently in tank~

One 10” Clown Knife
Five medium (4”) Oscars
Three medium Bala Sharks (3-4”)
Two large plecos (6-8”)

OK now for my problem. Over the past six weeks or so the water quality has been poor. Very cloudy and A LOT of debris on the bottom of the tank. I have increased my normal maintenance from 20% water changes per week and a monthly vacuum. To having to vacuum almost more then once a week and during that time doing water changes of about 40%. The water chemistry has been fairly consistent and I tested it again today. The results are –

PH – 7.0
Ammonia – 0
Nitrite - .25 ppm
Nitrate – 80-100 ppm (much higher then it has been in the past)

My suspicion is that my fish are simply getting to large for that tank. There by creating the poor water quality. I am hoping the second filter will help otherwise I will be forced to put some fish up for adoption. I have also reduced my feeding some form three small pellet feedings for everyone but the Clown Knife who now eats two live fish a day. We also do not feed any on Sundays.

My question is, can you think of anything I can do differently or add to try and improve the quality of the water, lower the Nitrate, and clear the water to the point I can actually see my fish? Also, being new to the canister filter I would welcome any tips as to the different media that can be used and general care of the unit.

Sorry this post is so long. Thank you all in advance for any advice you might be able to give.

Adam

 

[sinistral]

Hi Flyacl!

I looked over your other thread and have to agree with tstenback. I'm not an expert in these more exotic fish by any means, but the reading I've done suggests that you can keep about one or two oscars maximum in a 55 gallon tank. By themselves they are big fish that generate a lot of waste. Sharks may eventually reach greater than 10-15 inches. Also, carnivorous fish tend to produce greater amounts of nitrogenous waste than pure vegetarians. Even though you may have fish that comply with the "one inch per gallon rule" in a very broad sense, I suspect that because of the girth of the fish you are actually exceeding the capacity of your filtration to clear nitrogenous wastes. Moreover, the more time that goes by the further you'll go over the line, as the fish will keep growing, get messier, etc.

It's never easy to hear that you may have to give up some of your fish, but I think that's the clearest solution in this case Otherwise, you might try what tstenback suggested (more frequent water changes and cleaning), but, depending on how much maintenance you'd like to do, this may or not be practical. Eventually I suspect the fish will grow to be so large and messy only an impractical amount of maintenance will be able to keep up with them

Of course...you could get another tank and move some of the inhabitants over...

HTH~~~

 

[rollntider]

2 oscars are almost to much for that tank not to mention the other stuff, get rid of something Oscars them selves need at least a 40 gallon by themselves.
The shark needs lots of room. and as they grow bigger the more they need. Drop some fish or who knows what will happen

 

[jjsdad]

The tank is full with just the clown knife in there.

 

[waterwatereverywhere]

Have to agree with the other comments. I know it'll be hard to part with your pets, but all of those species need big tanks, and I'd say you could keep at most a couple of that size fish together in your tank. I think you're going to have to decide whether to just hang onto a couple of your current fish, or think again and stock with small fish instead. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Nina7777]

Everyone already gave great answers. Just wanted to put in my two cents . I have 2 bala sharks in with the other fish in my signature, and there is not enough room for them. They will start to get very very skiddish and start hurting themselves because they will get frightened and try to jump (therefor banging themselves on the lid) or sides. Quit frankly I don't know how they all fit in there in the first place.

Sorry to say but although the canister will help for a short period of time, all these fish together in one tank need over 500 gallons of water. I would just trade some of them. Although this is never easy at first, it will be better for your fish as well as yourself (emotionally and moneywise) in the long run. Trust me it is quit devastating when my sharks keep hurting themselves.
I was going to trade them in but am looking into a 180 gallon tank for them instead.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[Flyacl]

Thank you all for the good replys. We removed 4 of the Oscars yesterday. I am going to give it a week and see how it goes. Next will be the Bala Sharks if things don't improve. But for now everyone seems happy. In fact the Bala Sharks seem the most happy of all. Before they seamed to stay on one side of the tank. Away form the Oscars. Now they seem to be going all over. Thanks again.

Adam

 

[jams.alaskan]

Let us know how it is going...

ALASKA

 

[Nina7777]

I am sorry you had to give them away. But you made the right and a great decision!

 

[sinistral]

I second Nina's reply; it's never easy to give away your pets, but I really do agree with your tough decision. Hope things work out...and you never know, another 55 gallon tank might be in your future...

 

[LoveMyOscar]

...

 

[CFC]

Im afraid LMO is right, your tank is only big enough for one oscar. The clown knife is not even half grown yet and will need a 150 gallon tank minimum when full grown and the sharks which will get to at least 12" really need a tank of at least 6 feet in length to cater for their constant swimming.

 

[Naomi]

you know what I think? Time to upgrade to a bigger tank!!

 

[Flyacl]

I agree Naomi. That was the plan but we have some other pretty big stuff going on right now.

As far as my problem it has all cleared up (pun intended) . Water is crystal clear and even smells better! Thanks again for all the help everone. I think I will be OK for a little while but I am going to have to start shopping around for a bigger home.

As if things were ever going to be just right. Yesterday my buddy shows up at the door with a 12" rope fish that he can't keep anymore . No call, no ask, just here you go! Anyway, things seem to be going fine for now. Outside of needing a much bigger tank does anyone have any tips/comments on my newest guest? I have done some reading but it seems the info is a little lite.

Thanks Again.

Adam

 

[pete28]

hello. i am by no means a fish expert but i do keep oscars and know that they produce a ton of waste i have to do a 30% water change weekly just for them! the plecos will help to clean some stuff but not enough. i would hate to see you part with your fish but it might be healthier for them. maybe your lfs will take them and give you store credit or something. if you are heartset on keeping them i would recommend large weekly water changes and depending on your filtration system bimonthly maintenance ie changing the filter cartridge etc. hope this helps