What does an overcrowded fish tank look like?

If some young fish in your tank are constantly sticking to their corners or are becoming lethargic, there's your alarm. If some of your fish unexpectedly begin to die, then you definitely have an overcrowding problem.
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How do I know if my fish tank is crowded?

A low oxygen level is a sign your aquarium might be overcrowded. Knowing for sure is not easy though.
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Low oxygen levels
  1. An initial fish reaction if your aquarium is lacking oxygen is the lack of swimming and/or eating.
  2. As oxygen levels lower further, the fish will start breathing heavily.
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What happens if too many fish in a tank?

Overstocking: When you have too many fish in your tank, excess waste gives off ammonia and nitrites, which can also cloud your water. We recommend one inch of (mature) tropical fish per gallon of water and one inch of (mature) goldfish for every three gallons.
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How do you keep an overcrowded fish tank?

What to do if your fish tank is overcrowded
  1. If you don't already have one, get a test kit that measures ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. ...
  2. Conduct daily water changes until your test readings are at these levels. ...
  3. Remove large ornaments from your tank as they are taking up valuable water space.
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Can a fish tank be too full?

Disadvantages of filling completely filling your aquarium to the brim. The main issue we have with completely filling out your tank with water is that it could cause a mess. If you have a high water line, then there is a good chance that splashes made from your air stone, filter and/or fish can go over your tank.
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The 1 INCH PER GALLON RULE is BOGUS, Filtration is the Key



How far should you fill up a fish tank?

You should generally fill the tank up to an inch below the trim because the water column and aeration system will create bubbles that splash the surface. When the waterline is too high, water may splash outside of the tank.
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Should a fish tank filter be fully submerged?

Internal filters must be fully submerged to work correctly. They work best near the substrate, though if the air pump is separate, it is usually situated somewhere outside the fish tank. For this reason, most sponge filters come with suction cups to help hold the unit in the desired corner of your aquarium.
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Can you overcrowd a fish tank with decorations?

Sometimes they get so excited about all the cute decorations at the pet store that they overcrowd the bottom of the tank. This is no good. Not only will this make doing tank maintenance harder (just think of trying to gravel wash all that), but it also looks tacky.
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Is it OK to overstock a fish tank?

Tanks that are overstocked will not only provide a stressful environment for the fish that will likely lead to disease, but overstocked tanks produce a lot more work for the aquarist. Maintenance must be done more often on a tank that is overstocked.
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How many fishes should be kept in aquarium?

Primarily, keeping nine fishes in an aquarium is considered auspicious, among these nine fishes, there should be eight Goldfish and one blackfish.
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How many fish should you have in an aquarium?

The most widely known rule for stocking a tank is the one inch of fish per one or two gallons of water rule. While this type of calculation works as a rough estimate, it leaves plenty of room for error.
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What is considered an overstocked tank?

An overstocked aquarium is an aquarium that either has too many fish, or is too small for the few fish it has, even if that is just one to two large fish.
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How do pet stores keep so many fish in one tank?

The reason that they can have multiple display tanks in the store is because there is no need to scoop in there with a net to catch a fish over 10 times a day. This tank will need water changes and requires other maintenance, but not nearly as often as the other tanks where people can buy their fish.
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How many fish can I have in a 30 gallon tank?

The general rule of thumb, when stocking any aquarium, is to allow one gallon of water for each inch of fish. Therefore, in a 30 gallon tank you have enough room for 30 inches of fish. For example, you have enough room in your 30 gallon tank if you stock it with 15 two-inch neon tetras.
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Can you put Legos in a fish tank?

The very short answer is “Yes!”. The longer answer is this: LEGO can go in an aquarium. Of course, you can dunk anything in water. The question is, “can LEGO be put into an aquarium with fish in it, and will the fish be unharmed?” Again, the answer is “Yes!
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Do fishes sleep?

While fish do not sleep in the same way that land mammals sleep, most fish do rest. Research shows that fish may reduce their activity and metabolism while remaining alert to danger. Some fish float in place, some wedge themselves into a secure spot in the mud or coral, and some even locate a suitable nest.
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Can you put plastic toys in a fish tank?

Most rigid plastic toys, ornaments and figurines are safe for aquariums as long as they are not painted and do not have any sticker decals on them. Make sure the object is well-cleaned and any stickers or adhesives are completely removed.
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Should my filter be making bubbles?

It is normal for aquarium filters to form some bubbles. However, if your filter is producing more bubbles than it usually does, then it is a cause for concern.
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How far down should a filter be in a fish tank?

How Deep Should My Aquarium Filter Intake Be? Toward the tank's bottom! Most fish owners would advise that when you're using a canister filter for your tank, the intake tube needs to be at least two inches from the bottom. This means water can be sucked up efficiently and quickly cleaned out.
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How much bubbles do fish need?

Fish will develop bubbles in their skin and around their eyes if exposed to too much oxygen. The dangerous levels of oxygen in water are different for every species of fish. Generally, an appropriate amount of air in a tank is around 1 gallon per hour for every gallon of water in your tank.
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What is new tank syndrome?

'New Tank Syndrome' is a term used to describe problems that occur due to the build-up of invisible, toxic compounds in an aquarium. It gets its name as the issue is most likely to occur when your filter is maturing when starting a new aquarium.
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How long should you wait before putting cold water fish in a new tank?

Let your aquarium "settle" for at least 48 hours before buying your first fish. This will give you time to make sure the temperature is set and make adjustments to decorations, etc.
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When should I do my first water change in my aquarium?

You should wait two weeks before the first partial water change, but only if everything turns out fine. You don't have to wait weeks to establish a new tank.
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What does PetSmart do with returned fish?

PetSmart will take any returned fish and quarantine them for several days. During this time, they will observe the fish to make sure they are healthy and not showing any signs of illness. They may then move the fish to a larger tank with plenty of plants and some other fish that are also in quarantine.
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What does PetSmart do with sick fish?

PetSmart Fish Return Policy In 2022. PetSmart allows customers 14 days from the initial date of purchase to exchange or return pet fish for a refund as of 2022. Additionally, Customers can return sick, unwanted, or dead fish by bringing them safely in a container along with a receipt and a valid photo ID.
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