My 5 Tips for Stocking Your Tank
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- Опубліковано 23 лип 2024
- How many fish can you put in your new aquarium? I think that is the question I hear most often. So, what's the answer?
Let's talk about it here!
What are your thoughts on the subject? Be sure to share them below and don't forget to rate and sub!
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SHOUT-OUT to my friend (mentioned in the video) Zenzo Tazawa. Visit his channel: Tazawa Tanks
NEVER FORGET ... YOU ROCK! - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
![How Many Fish? [Heavy vs Light Stocked Tanks] - The Pros and Cons of Each!](/img/n.gif)
Great words Ben! Thanks for sharing. People need to realize the amount of time this hobby requires. Maintenance is not an option!
Seth Westmoreland That’s the truth Seth!
Ben I have a 75 gallon African cichlid tank with 17 haps and peacocks. I have 2 sunsun 304b's and a fx4, also 1 lg sponge filter. I do 2 60% water changes a week. Your tips like always are great. I too have learned the hard way. Great video.
DOMINGO NUNEZ With that filtration and maintenance schedule things are going to go well 😉😀👍🏻
I love that you are having so much fun fishkeeping! Thank you for the info!
Jeffrey Lei You are welcome Jeff
Man i couldn’t agree more! Grew up with tanks in the 70’s and 80’s and recently my youngans wanted a tank. The wife wanted a ten and i screamed at least a 55! (Having been out of the hobby for decades).. next thing i know she brought home 18 fish and two of them were Oscars. I figured hey its my chance to get bigger tanks right? :) She, bless her heart, then bought into “1 gallon per inch”... uhhhh ya. Arguments a plenty. So then to take the hobby up we decided to breed. But with that we knew we would need more tanks... 400 fry later were scratching our head lol. That 55 has 25 3-4 inch ciclids mixed with community fish and a sump built to handle them (they are getting there first upgrade to a 75 sooon). Valuable lesson when it comes to planning (1 year in advance), filtration and research. You nailed it!
Sincity Loco Cichlids Wow, what an adventure. Hopefully you can see those some of the offspring to help pay for the 220gal 😉
Very informative! Thanks! I've been on your Facebook page with a couple of questions the last few weeks. Wow! What a response from the group. Good people and great information. Thank you
Skybuster72 I shared your comment at the group. It’s what I was hoping the group would provide.
What a wonderful, easy to listen to presentation with so much friendliness and good information. At the end I really felt like giving you a warm hand accompanied with an arm squeeze, thank you for the lovely cup of coffee and continue on my way. Thanks Ben!
Aqua Peet LOL, Thanks, I appreciate you stopping by 😀
Always a pleasure watching your videos very informative
Love the laughter...always have fun!
Straight to the point, and honest advice. Ha I like it.
Another great video Ben! Very informative on the main key factors of stocking. 👍
Alan Wilson Thank you Alan
Great information, thank you for sharing!
Thanks for your sharing Ben.
Nice way to put everything Ben. I’ve told people they same thing when they ask me there looking for a very definite answer like this is how many fish and this is what you do. I tell them if you don’t do maintenance you will loose fish and have lots of problems you’re always trying to solve those problems and spending more money on cures and fish. I also tell them spend more money on filtration or spend time on maintenance. Filtration will only go so far I’m one of those who works at least 12 hrs a day 6 days a week my tank maintenance is my zen my mantra
Todd Diedrich I hear you Todd. My Saturday mornings (and often afternoons) is my maintenance time and I find it quite therapeutic 😀
My wife is blunt and her comment was, “If they want one quick answer, then maybe keeping fish isn’t for them!” 😂🤣😂
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Great Ben,thanks for being so frank.
Saravanan a c Gotta call it like I see it 😀
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I love your tank looks, it's neat
Thank you!
Great informative video Ben👍🏻 the 5 points you mentioned are.....on point👌🏻🤷🏻♂️
Cichlidscape • Thank you for watching and commenting 😀
Great video ... THUMBS UP !!!
Awsome video m8
Thanks for such an informative video. No wonder fish keeping is addictive.
Violette Newman It’s like crack 🤣
Thanks for watching!
Great video. I just set up a 75 gallon cichlid tank you have some nice tanks buddy
Troy Morain Thanks Troy, I appreciate you stopping by 😀
Also factor in the idea of plants....that changes the amount of fish that can be stocked as well..and I also like to research and see which level the fish swim at....if I have several top swimmers and I want more then I add bottom swimmers..or mid level swimmers etc...love this video..lots of very useful info
Lacey's place Good points. I’ve observed how aggressive open water Cichlids will sometimes stake out a level in the tank and ignore fish above or below them 😀
Great tips Ben!
Corey Hecker Hey Corey, thanks for stopping by!
Amazing
Hi Ben, you have done a very good job of answering an almost impossible question. I did like the bit when you said to learn from your mistakes, l think l am a reasonably experienced fish keeper and understand a lot of the issues about filtration etc, yet recently l got very excited about restocking my 600g, before l knew it l had 24 fish that would be growing to 10inches plus, whoops how did that happen!
600 gal, I think that you’re going to be okay 😀
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Hilarious Ben! Sounds like you wife is in tune with your fish keeping like mine. You make some great points.
Happy wife ... happy life, right?!
Thanks for stopping by Jeff.
Great video
Thanks Ben great video 👍🍻
JustMyFish Thanks!
great teaching
Thank you!
Hi Ben, great topic and video. It is the most asked question in the group regarding how many fish can I put in a 55, 75, or 125. It really is a hard question to answer because of all the variables you outlined in this video. I think I will just link this video to the question in the future. For me, it’s all about balance and the potential the fish can grow in captivity. It’s just kinda a feeling I have acquired through years of experience and research. Anyways, keep up the great work 👍.
Denny's Aquatics Great point Dennis. We have think, “Where am I going to be with this set up in six months or a year?” Time flies by.
Hi sir you're right sir what we need is time to maintain and filtration system and feeding periodically we should make time to have a cichlid tank or else should not have one thanks for the tips sir keep up good work I like your videos.
I can easily lift a Red Tail Catfish! LOL!!!
I can easily lift Zenzo lifting a red tail catfish... with a forklift...
😂
😂😂😂
It was pretty cool .
I m new . Fantastic video n information Ben. So genuine! Lov your big laugh
Excellent info Ben😎👍🏾
Thanks T!
I'm so glad my husband supports my MTS habit. 😂🤣 Hes also my street light. 😁🚦
Awesome
i have a 75 gallons with 20 cichlids and my filter is 2 trickles and TGR media and its good
Just 2 words you're good 🙏🏻👀
Definitely one of your best informative videos You really cant Stress enough about the Maintenance part of the Hobby and Pay attention to your Filter pads meaning How dirty is dirty or did we just over feed that month ? Happy new yr Sir Ben looking forward to another educational year on the Fish keeping hobby
Vinfish 46 Thank you Vinfish, I appreciate your support of the channel 😀👍🏻
Great video.
I would make a separate point regarding water changes.
Most filters, no matter how great the water turn over is, will leave nitrate in the water, higher stocked tanks mean more food mean more nitrate in shorter time.
(Which is another way to reach the same result as powerfeeding.)
So if someone is willing and able to do 50% water changes every second day can stock way more heavily than someone who do 30% water changes twice a month.
Daniel H Truth. People forget to adjust their maintenance to account for increases in stock. Keeping the same procedure with 20 7” fish that one was doing 10 5” fish is not going to get the same result.
Thanks for watching 😀
@@BenOchart A pleasure to watch and subscribe! 😀
Excellent video! I especially enjoyed the Bane cameo at 7:30. "No one care who I was until I put on the mask". :)
cajanir LOL, that’s actually Zenzo who had to where a breathing mask when he was working out during the Northern Calif fires.
@@BenOchart DWL... I know, I watch Zenzo's vids too!
Hi Ben, First thank you for the tips. I have been in the freshwater hobby for a few yrs but just recently started a saltwater tank. Does the same rules apply to saltwater? Thanks again.
Good points Ben. Also, Self Control, some people start with cichlids in a small tank, fall in love and the addiction begins. Then they find out the day the new shipment of fish arrives and goes to the LFS every week to see what comes in and there's always something that cares they're eye. Now they have an overstocked 60 gallon all because they couldn't control themselves. 😂
Very informative video. I know you are a SoCal guy, but as a 50+ dude with a grey goatee, I gotta say, bend that hat bill! Do not be a flat-biller! Old guys rule, but flat bills are for young punks! J/K, live and let live, fashion is fleeting.
There are so many variables. Being single definitely helps! Haha.
One of my tanks is a 350ltr turtle and American cichlid tank, which most would say is over stocked, due to it running only a 1200 canister, which flows through a DIY over tank refugium type thing, containing more bio media and several pothos.
I got fed up of doing huge weekly water changes, so have got to a place now where I can change out a quick 15ltrs a day and my nitrates are sticking at between 20/30. On top of that is cleaning prefilter sponge every 3/4 days and fortnightly filter maintenance.
And I will be doing similar with my newer, smaller African tank.
Its a good thing my ex put me off women for life, I don't have time for one! 😁
Three Tykes LOL, well, it certainly makes it easy when you’re single. The turtle fish tank set up sounds awesome. Thanks for watching and commenting 😀
I have had 3 38 galloon tanks with 10 mixed cichilds with 2 EXF Canister filters and my babies have always had crystal clear water with alot of over flow and air they thrived! So excited to recieve my scale children in 6 weeks!
two cans on a 38 will provide a lot of filtering and some great water movement.
@@BenOchart thanks Ben :) because of you i know alot more now. Thank you very very much x
How do you scrape by with such winters?
Hey ben can you give me the link to the beamswork light you have please cannot find the fsp with the the metal slide bracketts thankd
Great video I thought I was prepared for a red tail catfish having some 55 gallons75 gallon and a 220 that he or she could grow out in over a few years but after less than eight months realized I need an indoor pool pond of a few thousand gallons growth rate of some fish are just ridiculous
Yup. My Venustus went from the size of my thumbnail to a 10” monster in around a year.
Buy a house with a pool and give the pool to your fish 🤣😂🤣
HI BEN; GREAT VIDEO AS USUAL....HOW TRUE YOUR 5 TIPS ARE....WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES IN THIS HOBBY....HOPEFULLY PEOPLE WILL LISTEN TO WHAT YOU JUST SAID.....AND LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES.....I LOVE THE TIP ABOUT MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR WIFE.....YOUR NOT KIDDING....HA-HA....YOUR REALLY A FUNNY GUY.....LOVE WATCHING YOUR VIDEO'S.....
DANIEL VENDITTI Happy wife happy life 🤣😂🤣
Thanks for your support and encouragement Daniel!
Cichlids are pretty looking fish with vibrant colors..with wide varieties that's why we tend to stock more of them..I think grt point you need lot of time at least 30 percent water change a week...and next week cleaning just filter in your Aquarium water..
Good video Ben! I do have a question - Do you find that your tanks are more crystal clear from using a sump or the canisters?
Gurvinder Parmar Yes. The sump system moves a lot more water and adds water volume to dilute nitrates...and runs the water past ten times the BB media in my FX-6. It’s simply a superior system.
@@BenOchart I'm in the final stages now of creating the sump out of a 30 gallon tank... going to use a 1350gph pump...got the overflow box ready. Just waiting on the hoses at this point...do you use any filter socks in your setup? My baffle kit has two 4 inch rings for them but I'm wondering if I should or not.
subbed after you opened with a dad joke lol
Well sed 👍
I use for small fish a 1" /litre rule. However, I looking at the inches/fish when fully grown. therefore say a neon tetra at 2" , a shoal of 5 requiring 10l of water.
Venustus size fish does fine in A 100gal, just do the water changes.
As of now i have 17 peacocks & haps about 4” in my 90 gal with 2 eheim canisters pro3 & pro4
Sounds like a good set up.
I want to add 6 more what do u think
With 75 or 90.. can stock to 300 tetras.. 🤣
hi ben..
It sort of seems to me that the type of filtration depends on the amount of waste being produced, food, waste from the fish. Or the number of fish depends on the type of filtration. So having a plan in place before you even setup the tank is valuable? Look at what you want to stick, you get a feel for how much food, will they grow? Then plan for what you need plus a cushion? I would think a sump in larger tanks could be better adapted to fluctuating factors but that is just me. I appreciate this video, it makes one think a bit.
You're right Kerry. Thought and design. But the best laid plans turn into curves (like changing the type or quantity of fish). We gotta keep learning, stay sharp and adapt/change fast and always be flexible. Just MHO.
@@BenOchart understood! Just thinking of my approach LOL but I am a "fly by the seat of my pants," kind of guy so I am always kind of getting ready to deal with changes in life and aquariums
I want to say thank you for understanding I was not challenging you, so many times UA-camrs do not actually read comments properly and I end up defending a position I never wanted to take.
I totally enjoy your common sense approach. I am actually in the middle of changing my plans for a tank, but because I had the basics in place the change will not be difficult.
Ben I have a 90 gallon corner tank I am going to stock with Neolamprolagus Multifasciatus and Cyprichromis, I am at that point when I should probably go with a canister, but I want to put in a Matten Filter for a 90. I don't think the bioload is going to be huge, but what would you say the disadvantage of a Matten Filter would be? I will not argue or take offense I am not married to any equipment, I just want information if you have time. Thanks Ben, no worries if you don't have time.
Hi Ben how about on a 220 gal tank, would it work for about 30 Mbuna.
Sure. In the end we're talking about a balance between bio-load and filtration, so it would apply to any set-up.
Hey Ben !!!
Hey!
Hey Ben great video I am looking into setting up a larger tank soon either a 150 or 210/220 your 150 is crystal clear and I’m wanted to know who manufactured it or if you know where I can get mine would like your opinion I have a video on what fish I currently keep please check it out and get back to me thank you
Andy Scs Are you going to stick with tangs? That Frontosa will eventually get huge and would eat the shell dwellers. So you’re going to need several tanks 😉
My 150 is a ClearForLife acrylic. Acrylic is lighter and more see-through than glass. It can be more expensive but I found mine on Craigslist and got a great deal. I then had it professionally buffed out.
Ben Ochart thanks for the input Ben and no that’s my Tanganyika tank I am talking about all my Malawi cichlids I have haps peacocks and mbuna
Hey Ben Dave here. I have a 65 gallon freshwater aquarium. It's community tank swordtails, can you Grammys? It's for the community. And for filters I have a hang on back filter. Maryland 375. A big spine filter in a flugal 407. Do you think that's enough?
I have a 20 gal, with a Penguin 200 and I want to have cichlids. My living area isn't large enough to have the large tanks (55+) I have started with 11 small cichlids but I still have an ammonia problem (1-.05 ppm)The tank is three weeks old as of today. Is this an over stocked tank?
trey jasso overstocked and going to assume it wasn’t cycled before adding fish. And a 20 gallon is going to really limit what you can keep. Tanganyika shell dwellers are about the only option. The most commonly found African cichlids will outgrow that tank in a hurry.
thatoneguy12986 thank you. No I didn’t cycle it. Bought the tank as a kit and went to PetCo and selected a handful of fish I thought were cool. I feel bad and hope these guys don’t hate me.
Ammonia means your tank beneficial bacteria is not keeping up with the waste. 20 is too small and in a few months you’re going to have to sell or give them away.
Maybe you can find a spot for a 75?
Ben Ochart ok so here’s another weird piece of info. I’m using the freshwater master test kit. I tested the water from the hose to get a base and it was around 1 ppm and almost the same color as the tank water. Is that normal for city water to have ammonia? I’m in San Diego.
I always start with the individual fish - a Zebra danio requires way more space than a Cardinal tetra. And is there any size tank that isn't circular in shape that can actually safely fit bala sharks? I put activity level AND size of fish at the top of my list of stocking densities.
So many new fish keepers end up breaking the first four you mentioned due to lack of patience. Please be patient people - Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a great aquarium. Make sure your filtration is adequate, do your water changes, feed lightly, and be honest with yourself - are you really going to upgrade to that 25,000 gallon pond for your arapaima or the 4,000 gallon tank for your red tailed cat?
Catfish Cave Truth! Thanks for watching Cat
Hello; I have one question. I have 15 gallon guppy fish tank. I would like to know if I can stock like 40 guppies in my 15 gallon tank. Please
Might be a little much for such a small tank but it might work with a couple 25% water changes each week.
How many should I have in there. May be like 10 is ok?
I use the "survival of the fittest" method. Throw a gang of fish in a tank and only the strong survive. It's a cycle of life. A food chain. I've had my African cichlids eat many guppy's and tiger barbs already.
When I’m jammed up on OT, working 12’s and weekends I reduce my maintenance requirements by reducing the feeding. Not being home means I don’t have as much time To feed. It seems to work out. And if I’m not going to vacuum the substrate i take advantage of the drain/refill spout and I can do a 50% w/c in like 30 min. . Realistically, who doesn’t have at least 30-45 min per week to dedicate to the aquarium. Luckily I have tremendous water pressure, I think it’s a mistake As it’s far far better than anything I’ve experienced here in Vegas.
You're on to a good tip here. If one knows that they are going to be jammed, feed less. I like that a lot. Thanks.
Ben Ochart I’m fairly certain that most of us, myself included are guilty of feeding a bit more than these fish actually require. I don’t know about all keepers of African cichlids but I definitely enjoy watching the fish go berzerk when I feed them. It blows me away how quickly they move , rarely allowing a single pellet to hit the bottom!😂. I look forward to getting home and seeing my fish go batshit crazy the moment they see my hi viz orange shirt or vest come through the door. If I pay them no attention and just go upstairs or they start splashing and thrashing . I like to believe it’s their way of grabbing my attention .
Ben when are you going to have some baby fish? I don't remember a video with you raising babies yet. My peacocks left me with 300 babies in the last 4 months.
Steve's Aquatics Hi Steve, fry adds a whole new angle that I’m sure you are aware of. I might try it with Lethrinops someday, we’ll see.
What about a 3 gallon tank
21 large peacocks and haps in a 120g I'm running 2 fx6s
matt renaud That’s great filtration on a 120. How often do you service them?
i service them them one at a time about every 2 months the first filter i have just the 2 black foam pads and 1 blue pad one the top tray then the middle tray is full of matrix on the bottom tray i have 2 bags of purigen and the thin black carbon pad.
the second filter is just the 2 black bio pads and a blue pad then the other 2 lower trays are just matrix. i was using the white polisher pads in the top tray but i found they got dirty too fast clogged slowing down my output and they were needed to be replaced too often
The point about getting buy-in from family is so true. 😆
What’s up with the over filtration. Do you guys have too much money or what.
Cichlids are massive poop factories. They are not neon tetras.
Or if you can turn your entire home into Ohio Fish Rescue
I’d love that ... but my wife wouldn’t 🤣🤣🤣
@@BenOchart last time I checked he was about to convert their internal pool to pond. Was trying to convince his wife who used that pool.