Is my Tank overstocked?

[MacaHobby]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

0

If yes, what is your nitrite?

0

If yes, what is your nitrate?

40

If I did not test my water...

...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

21-30%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every week

If I do not change my water...

...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

Hey guys, I have a 280g tank with an 84g undersump system. My Tank is stocked with:
3x 10in Cichla Monochlus
1x 9in Oscar
1x 9in Datnoid
1x 8in Sturgeon
2x 18in Silver Arowana
7x Silver dollars

Tank size is 72x30x30in. Hope to get some response from you guys and if ever I would need to reduce my bioload what fishes/fish do you think would I need to let go? I'm just worried because I'm having a hard time controlling my nitrates tho the cause of my high nitrates may be of a different factor than my bioload. Thanks guys!!

 

[Matteus]

That’s a nice looking rig you have there.

Imo I would drop the 2 silvers and the Oscar to lighten that bio load. But it’s not really up to me.

I like the sturgeon (idea) but I suspect it may not be a good fit being a more cold water sp (I think) with lots of warm water species.

 

[duanes]

If you continue to only do a 30% water change once per week, then you tank is over stocked, and the 40 ppm nitrate level is the obvious indicator of that lax schedule.
I would consider 2-3 water changes of 30% minimal to keep nitrate at a safe level.
I believe if you don't step up the changes, chronic diseases like HLLE will soon become problematic..

 

[Manning99]

Would personally drop both silvers and the sturgeon.

 

[Rocksor]

... I'm having a hard time controlling my nitrates tho the cause of my high nitrates may be of a different factor than my bioload....

You are overstocked. It's good that you acknowledge that keeping nitrates low is difficult.

First test your tap water for nitrates, if it is 0-5ppm, then it's time to let go of some of the fish until water changes to keep nitrates below 20ppm is no longer an issue for you.

Rehome the 2x silver arowana and sturgeon. Do enough of a water change to bring the nitrate to less than 20ppm. Reduce feeding to every other day or every 3rd day. Check nitrates everyday and see how high it goes for about 1-2 weeks after these changes.

 

[Zues1725]

Nice tank setup

 

[dr exum]

nice looking set up!

basically what the folks above said - ditch the arowana’s and sturgeon-

or get another tank ?

i’ve got a couple tanks that size - had a jar / lei in ea - knowing they max out 24” or so… i thought about putting my black arow in 1 however these guys and the silvers get bigger… i’d imagine 3’ or so - imo 4’ width tanks better for them -

never enough space -

GL!

 

[Krismo962]

nice looking set up!

basically what the folks above said - ditch the arowana’s and sturgeon-

or get another tank ?

i’ve got a couple tanks that size - had a jar / lei in ea - knowing they max out 24” or so… i thought about putting my black arow in 1 however these guys and the silvers get bigger… i’d imagine 3’ or so - imo 4’ width tanks better for them -

never enough space -

GL!

I thought jars couldn't be comm'ed?

 

[Matteus]

I thought jars couldn't be comm'ed?

Not very often, but it does happen sometimes.

 

[Krismo962]

Not very often, but it does happen sometimes.

A guy I know tried to keep one in a pond with his prized XB asian aros ,their finnage would always be tattered because the jar wouldn't let it heal.He ended up taking it out.
Then there's this - the uncomm able tank lol.
Credit - Earl Pigar(R.I.P)