The Puffer Forum

I've got to tell you guys something funny... Yesterday I went to the goldfish/koi show to buy a husband for Fiona, my lonely ranchu. I met up with the supplier I purchased her from, who had talked me though the antibiotic injections for Francis when he had dropsy (he didn't make it). I was asking him how may fish I could keep in my 46g? He said 4 were fine, as long as I had good filtration. I told him I did 90% weekly water changes & he was shocked & told me no more than 20-25% or I'd remove all the bacteria. HUH??? Then I asked him if there would be issues with adding the bioload of 3 more large GF to the tank, he said, "No, there is plenty of bacteria in your filter to support all those fish". I told him there was only enough bacteria in the tank to support the 1 fish I have in there. He told me, "No, the bacteria keeps multiplying in your filters".HUH??? Now, this is one of the top GF suppliers in the country! My only thought is he's used to keeping huge ponds/vats of fish & doesn't concern himself with the average hobbyist's tanks.

PP, I believe that he is right at a point. The nitrifying bacteria has to live and produce somewhere in the tank. And in the filter, where there would be more oxygen, is where there should be more. But a well mature tank will have nitrifying bacteria though out the tank also. Now, I dont believe in 90% WC's. To me that would be like just tearin done the whole tank and setting it up all over again. 50-70% but never 90% unless its infested with something. JMO, but some people dont like hearin it from me here lately...lol Not talkin about you or any of these forums, it's just the political stuff.

bacteria does double and continue to grow as long as it had the food to supply it. So you are correct. It is self regulating.

The 90% water changes... well depending on how it is done, we already had that topic discussed.

Yea let's not get into that one again lol

GF eat a TON & produce a HUGE amount of waste/ammonia. From what I've read on many GF pages, the best thing to do is 90% weekly WC for them, to remove all that. I do know that there is only enough bacteria in a tank to support the present bioload. No more. I added enough Safestart to support a 75g tank full of fish.

Oh sorry PP, GF tank. My bad, they are poop factorys..lol Yeah better make that a double dose of Safe Start..lol

Yep--double dose, it's a 46g bowfront.