Tank Capacity for More SAPs

[MatthewLaw]

Greetings All- I did some rearranging during this whole ich situation and my new SAPs are in their nice new big home of 60g. Also in the tank are the following.

1. Four (4) rainbow sharks
2. one (1) betta fish
3. one (1) bala shark
4. two (2) minor tetra

I am using a Biowheel 350 AND 80g sponge filter.

Everyone gets along very well and the puffers are doing well. How many more SAPs can I add?

Thanks!! -Matt

[plurmaster]

at most 1 more i would think. Im surprise your Betta gets along with everyone usually they are agressive towards other fish.

[MatthewLaw]

The Betta was in a 'large' betta tank and many people recommended that it was too small. I moved him to a 15g a month ago tank and he did wonderfully. he basically relaxed in the castle the whole time and he now relaxes in the plants of the 60g tank. No issues with him at all.

[plurmaster]

he's hidding thats why. For what i know Betta are active. They like to swim and explore. If he's relaxing at one spot. Definately trying to hide.

[MatthewLaw]

during the move, i removed the betta's castle and he is now swimming in the front of the tank. granted he has only been in this tank for about 14 hours so it may be too early to tell. but no aggression issues between the fish.

Filtration wise, I have the capacity to filter a 155g tank. I know the puffers are messy but believe that I am adequately over-filtered for more puffer(s). Granted any advice/recommendations would be very much appreciated!!

[mike_freegan]

Removed

[MatthewLaw]

Nope no biting at all of the betta's fins. I heard rainbow sharks were aggressive two but I think they were turned into passive fish by the tiger barbs I had in there. the barbs were very aggressive fin nippers; resulting in their removal from the big tank and being split and put into smaller tanks.

[mike_freegan]

Removed

[MatthewLaw]

I had 11 tiger barbs and they ALL schooled together...like this wave of misery for the puffers.

the barbs are now split into two smaller aquariums....

Stupid question. Why only ONE more SAP in the tank? I dont think I have hit 'capacity' and I am rather overfiltered (Biowheel 350 AND 80g Sponge filter).

Thanks!!

[mike_freegan]

Removed

[Nick]

Overall, stocking is just too high here unless you get rid of the bala or the rainbow sharks. The bala shark needs about 25 gallons of space for himself, the rainbow sharks need about 12 gallons each, figure 5 gallons for the tetras and betta, and 15 gallons for the puffer means you have over 90 gallons worth of fish in a 60 gallon tank already, that doesn't leave any room for overstocking puffers. Extra filters don't really decrease stunting any, they just keep overstocked tanks from going toxic by create more biological filtration space and keep them looking cleaner; at this level of stocking you can put as many filters as you want on there and it's not going to let you cram any more puffers in there.