Controlled overstock cichlids

[cu0ngsayz]

Full grown adults might be too small. If you start off with fry/juvi they just won't grow as big.

[mistahoo]

What's overstock ? How many would that be?

Overstock is just another way of saying more fish than what you normally see in one tank. It depends on what you think is overstock.

[wesleydnunder]

8 lab in a 26? I think you'll be ok. That's not really over stock if that's what you're implying.

Of course it's overstocked. Those fish need room to swim and get away from each other when necessary.

Full grown adults might be too small. If you start off with fry/juvi they just won't grow as big.

This statement is pure BS. If the tank is maintained properly they will reach adult size. Anything smaller when full grown is called stunting. The fish's lifespan gets diminished. I swear, you noobs really need to keep fish for a few years before y'all start spoutin' nonsense.

Mark

[wesleydnunder]

Overstock is just another way of saying more fish than what you normally see in one tank. It depends on what you think is overstock.

Wrong again. Overstocked is having more fish in the tank than it will safely hold. Overstocked is another way of saying disaster waiting to happen. Noobs...

Mark

[mistahoo]

Controlled overstock cichlids

Wrong again. Overstocked is having more fish in the tank than it will safely hold. Overstocked is another way of saying disaster waiting to happen. Noobs...

Mark

Whoa seems like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed

[mistahoo]

Controlled overstock cichlids

And overstock isn't asking for a disaster if you know what you're doing. There has been success on numerous occasions just as there were failures with those who didn't know how to cope with an overstocked tank.

[mistahoo]

Controlled overstock cichlids

OP, if you want to see more overstocked tanks before you decide to start one, check out the videos on YouTube. A lot of them are under- maintained and pretty booboo. You're gonna need to give the tank more attention than if you were to do a normal setup

[Johnsbra123]

Well the 8 I have look like they are having fun. I have a 70 gallon filter running now and it's crystal clear! I am going to put some moss balls in for them to nibble on. I don't know what you meant by overstock, but these guys are happy as clams. Those bio wheels are so nice and quiet! I will post some pictures once I get the chance! This has been my hottest thread yet but I didn't want to start any fights here!

[allysangels]

[ROCKYOU][/ROCKYOU]theres no need for name calling. just because someone is new to HFB doesn't mean they are new to the hobby. overstockng is common with cichlids to cut down on aggression by not allowing for territories to be established. it can be done as long as you keep up on water changes and filtration.

[supadave]

Op.....you stated that you have a 70 gallon filter on your tank and your water is crystal clear . Just understand that "crystal clear" water does not mean that you have healthy water . Your water can be crystal clear and still have ammonia and or high nitrates . My advice to you if you plan to overstock your tank is to invest in some test strips and prepare yourself to be dedicated and anal about performing water changes . If you ask me.....8 labs in a 26 gallon tank is already overstocked .

[mistahoo]

Op.....you stated that you have a 70 gallon filter on your tank and your water is crystal clear . Just understand that "crystal clear" water does not mean that you have healthy water . Your water can be crystal clear and still have ammonia and or high nitrates . My advice to you if you plan to overstock your tank is to invest in some test strips and prepare yourself to be dedicated and anal about performing water changes . If you ask me.....8 labs in a 26 gallon tank is already overstocked .

I agree with the bit about ammonia and water changes but you don't really need test strips. I think it's a waste of money. If I notice something is wrong with the fish, I normally just do a water change and add dechlrinator.

[allysangels]

petco does free water tests... just change religiously youll be fine

[mistahoo]

This is my overstocked 10gal holding tank and I had no problems with ammonia. I do 100% water changes every 2-3 days though

[wesleydnunder]

theres no need for name calling. just because someone is new to HFB doesn't mean they are new to the hobby. overstockng is common with cichlids to cut down on aggression by not allowing for territories to be established. it can be done as long as you keep up on water changes and filtration.

Calling someone a newb isn't necessarily a derogatory. In this case it's a fact. I've been keeping fish since 1968 and there are people around this site with a year or less under their belts in this hobby who are self-styled experts and "gurus". Please.
8 labs in a 26 gal is eventually gonna turn out bad for the fish; and after all, isn't that why we're in this? To keep our fish as happy and healthy and keep their conditions optimum for them?
Eventually these fish are gonna become sexually active. Ever kept labs that are sexually active adult? If the subs can't get away from the alpha he will kill them. He may kill the females as well. Yes, with enough filtration and water changes you can keep these fish alive. But they need room and hiding places to get away from each other; to SWIM for pete's sake. Would you put a dog in a kennel carrier for its whole life? It can live but what is its quality of life?

You're right, to disperse aggression, it's sometimes recommended to stock a Malawian tank heavily. However, there's a big difference between doing so with multiple species in a large tank and keeping one species in something that is gonna wind up lookin' like a cage match.

Mark

[wesleydnunder]

Whoa seems like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed

Because you don't know what you're talkin' about, I have the problem? Typical...

Mark