Freshwater aquarium questions:?

Question

I have two questions actually:
1. When adding a shrimp in an aquarium, does it count like adding a fish? I mean like in nitrate and fish stock issues.
2. Can over-filtration actually harm fishes? I have a Jewel 120 litres aquarium with a big filter which was already placed there, but since I had to move my fishes in it I was told to use my previous filter too (from a 50 litres one) in order to help the filter bacterial culture grow. I havent removed it since then, and my nitrate levels are always zero, so I feel a bit reluctant to remove it. Any advice?? Thanks

Answer 1

Shrimp count as fish so you do not want to add to many too quickly.
Over filtration like copperhead said is not an issue unless your fish are having difficulties swimming.

Are you running a salt or fresh water tank? Using your old filter will not add matured bacteria to your tank. (I have no clue who made this up) Especially if you have a salt tank. Mature bacteria need to be present in your salt tank and this happens over time. Fresh tank, there is very little to no bacteria in your filter especially if you provided regular maintenance.

You also need to be testing for ammonia levels. The filter you are running now is fine for the tank. as also mentioned you can run them both, however I don't see where you need to. If it was all about the bacteria thing, don't bother adding the other filter since is will have no effect.

If you have any other question, feel free to email me.

Answer 2

Yes, count the shrimp as if he were a fish. He generates waste just like a fish.

No, you cannot over filtrate. You have done everything correctly. If the 50 Liter filter has been in the tank for a least 6 weeks, it should be safe to remove it. Your bacterial cultures should be well established at this point. IF not, let it stay in until it has been there for at least 6 weeks.

Answer 3

1. Yes, count everything that breathes and poops as fish.
2. I have never had problems with over filtration. I've found beneficial bacteria will inhabit all aspects of the filter and they are tough little guys. I have a 20 gallon filter on a 10 gallon tank. (because I like the water fall sound). There is a betta, about 5 ghost shrimp and a cat fish in there. All are happy.
Good luck

Answer 4

A shrimp adds to the bioload just as any fish will, so they should be considered in the stocking of the tank.

"Overfiltration" is only a problem if the current is too strong for your tank inhabitants, but you can always adjuct the flow on the uptake tubes to compensate. Your nitrates may be zero, but if this is a new set-up, what about the ammonia and nitrite? These are the metabolism byproducts you get before they are converted to nitrate by the bacteria.

Answer 5

The 1inch in line with gallon rule is bogus ive had a 29 gallon with rather a lot sixty 5 inches and they were effective at the starting up no pictus cat or pleco because they are going to get to significant for a bottom feeder get 2 coycats Her tank could have 2 or 3 neon guppies yet no tiger barbs because they are fin nippers and stay properly in communities of 5 or more suitable to save low aggresion P.S. i have had 2 tiger barbs in an section tank and some days when I were given them my 4 hatchet fish jumped and my black skirt tetra and my molly had ripped fins yet then they died in about a month or 2 so i didnt could furnish them again

Answer 6

Hello, you cannot over filtrate your tank, more is better! You can also run both filters as another option.
When adding a shrimp, it does count the same as fish, they eat food and produce waste also.
Cheers

Answer 7

you cant over filterers More is better. and a shrimp is a fish

Answer 8

dont remove it. the shrimp is kinda like a fish, so it is counted as a fish.