I *want* to overstock my tank

Question

I have a 125 gallon tank that I'm trying to fill up beyond maximum stock levels with african cichlids (triple the maximum recommended). I know water quality is a big problem, so I want to set two fluval fx5 canister filters to it (each supposedly handles 400 gallons of water, so 800 gallons altogether). I also want to set up a 200 gallons sump tank in the basement to greatly increase the actual amount of water being used. So apart from the quality of water in this tank, what other problems should I worry about when overstocking?

Answer 1

aggression may be a big issue, stressed fish from not having its own space, why would you want to overstock a tank...that is the #1 No No in fish keeping, especially 3X the amount.

Answer 2

You need to be worried about the cichlids getting crowded and fighting with each other. Then you will have no fish. Please give them the appropriate tank space they need to flourish.Overstocking is cruel to fish.

Answer 3

Anytime you are entering into overstocking a tank you have to have at least one back up plan, if not two.  If your power goes out your filtration goes down.  You will then effectively be working with the water contained in the tank, your biggest fear short term, meaning an hour, two max, is O2 levels.  Your O2 will drop like a rock in an overstocked tank, consider a backup power source, such as a small generator.

  Your next concern is obviously territory & aggression.  This can be dealt with in the tank with plenty of rock work.  You will also need someplace to remove aggressive fish to.  Get four 29 gallon tanks, four suitable heaters, and four suitable dividers.  Since you will be running a sump in the basement you may as well set up a couple of racks on either side of the sump, and run four large sponge filters in the sump to keep them cycled.

  If you have any aggression issues, set up a 29 or two with the cycled filters, and remove the aggressive fish.  You may end up having to rehome them, and trying other fish that have a bit more mellow personality.

  Aggression does vary somewhat with individual fish that are the same species, by doing a bit of switching & swapping you will eventually hit upon a compatible mix, though this may take longer than you think.  You really have to use your power of observation with this sort of thing, as well as knowing quite a bit about fish behavior & body language.  I would start with double, working your way up to triple stocked if possible.

Answer 4

There is more to consider than just water quality. Theoretically the system you describe should keep the water clean. But what about all the fish crammed into the tank? Imagine living in a house with your family of four. Now imagine living in the same house with a dozen more people. Sounds a lot less comfortable, doesn't it? Fish need room to swim around. Cichlids especially need space to establish their own territories. Stick to the recommended stocking levels, there's a reason for them.

Answer 5

With african cichlids, you can overstock the tank, but not that much! That is like 50 neon tetras...in a 10 gallon tank! Not a reasonable amount. Overstock it by maybe a 4th over the max.

Answer 6

I know that when having cichlids it is actually recommended to overstock slightly to lower aggression levels (this is also true for female bettas) but to triple the amount recommended is way overstocking an aquarium. It doesn't matter even if you had spectacular water parameters your fish still need territory especially cichlids.  I would be concerned about the aggression level between these fish in a tank that overstocked. They will probably get stressed and sick and die or kill each other.

Answer 7

Are you a umm...TROLL!