![Photo](https://forum.nanfa.org/uploads/profile/photo-thumb-11723.jpg?_r=1440014338)
Bioload Question
#1
Posted 02 January 2016 - 03:36 PM
That aside for the moment, my point in starting this thread was to ask a question. That question being, would my new stream tank be able to handle the bioload of all of the fish that are in it now as well as all or most of the fish from my original stream tank without decreasing the water quality to an unhealthy amount? It may seem crazy to try to combine all of the fish from both these tanks in to only one of them but my original stream tank is not all that heavily stocked. It would also be very nice if I could free up the 30 gallon long (original stream tank) to use for other fish in my fishroom as I'm in the process of downgrading from many small tanks to a few larger ones and freeing up the 30 long to use for other fish would allow me to break down 3 smaller tanks. Here are some statistics about the tanks.
New Stream Tank
Gallons: 33
Dimensions: 48"x13"x13"
Filtration: Sponge Filter + MJ-900 Powerhead (230 gph)
Water Changes: 15 gallons (~40-45%) weekly
Nitrate Levels: 10ppm after a 40% water change 9 days before tested
Substrate: Pool Filter Sand
Decorations: Rocks from local creek
Stock List: 6 Silverjaw Minnows, 3 Redside Dace, 1 Central Stoneroller, 4 Rainbow Darters, 7 Variegate Darters, 9 Bluebreast Darters, and 6 Tippecanoe Darters
Original Stream Tank
Gallons: 30
Dimensions: 36"x12"x16"
Filtration: Sponge Filter + MJ-900 Powerhead (230 gph)
Water Changes: 15 gallons (~50%) weekly
Nitrate Levels: 8-10 ppm after a 50% water change 9 days before tested
Substrate: Pool Filter Sand
Decorations: Rocks from local creek and Mopani Driftwood
Stock List: 6 Banded Killifish, 5 Emerald Shiners, 1 Bluntnose Minnow, 1 Rainbow Darters, 1 Variegate Darters, 1 Bluebreast Darters, 2 Banded Darters, 2 Greenside Darters
So, do you guys think I could combine all of the fish in to the 33 gallon, or should I just leave them seperate? If it would be just a bit too many fish, I could always put the banded killies in their own small tank as they're slack water species anyway and don't need the flow of a powerhead.
#2
Posted 02 January 2016 - 03:58 PM
If you introduce new fish into the newer tank slowly, you will probably be fine. Be prepared for some water changes. Most people stock tanks pretty conservatively. You can push it a bit as long as you test and/or change water regularly.
The member formerly known as Skipjack
#3
Posted 02 January 2016 - 04:15 PM
If you introduce new fish into the newer tank slowly, you will probably be fine. Be prepared for some water changes. Most people stock tanks pretty conservatively. You can push it a bit as long as you test and/or change water regularly.
That works. I could add the darters first and then the shiners and killies (if I don't put the killies somewhere else). I'm willing to do two 40-50%s a week if it would allow me to have all the fish together.
#4
Posted 03 January 2016 - 11:10 PM
I alway recommend stocking conservatively. Your wish list is really dependent on your filter functioning. What happens if the power goes out?
-The member currently known as Irate Mormon
#5
Posted 04 January 2016 - 12:12 AM
Death! In an hour. Good point. Yes you can do it with enough water changes. But, it does not give you any room for failure. Had not looked at it that way. I figured this was not permanent, so duration would factor in a bit. The longer you kept that density, the more likely something like this could happen.
The member formerly known as Skipjack
#6
Posted 04 January 2016 - 10:14 AM
I alway recommend stocking conservatively. Your wish list is really dependent on your filter functioning. What happens if the power goes out?
Good point. However the couple times during the year that power does go out, for the tanks that need high DO levels (which would include this one), I either hook up a battery powered bait-bucket aerator or run the power head off of an inverter connected to a 500 amp compressor that'll last a few hours or in some cases 24 hours with a full charge.
#7
Posted 04 January 2016 - 10:16 AM
Death! In an hour. Good point. Yes you can do it with enough water changes. But, it does not give you any room for failure. Had not looked at it that way. I figured this was not permanent, so duration would factor in a bit. The longer you kept that density, the more likely something like this could happen.
It is definitely not permanent, I'm hoping I can have all these guys in my 75 gallon within a month (I'd be afraid to stick them in there now, what with my 10.5" yellow bullhead haha), 2 months max. As of now I also plan on putting the Killies in their own smallish tank and see if I can get them to spawn, so I'll just be adding the emerald shiners and darters.
2 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 2 guests, 0 anonymous users