329. The Rules of fish keeping and planted tank. Every tank is different.

It is important to not over think your aquariums. There are some general rules out there that aren't entirely bad, but they don't need to be followed exactly. Every planted tank and fishtank is different. No two are really all that much alike. So you have to treat each tank differently. People always ask me how much light to put on there tanks. Everyone wants more light. The reality is that you might not need all that much more light. The one watt per gallon rule is nice, but it isn't set in stone. Same thing with the one inch of fish per gallon of water rule. These rules are just general guidelines, but should be taken overly serious. This also holds tru for those of you who are adding ferts to the tank. Yes the bottle will give you instructions on how to do it, but look at your plants and see what they are telling you. not what the manufacturer recommends. I am not suggesting that everyone go power load their tanks. But just to take a look at what they are doing and if it is working, roll with it. But if its not, be willing to come off the rules a little. A good example of this was a guy who told me he had a 20 gallon tank, but that he was feeding his fish 3 times a day. He had a big algae problem. I told him to stop feeding for 3 days and cut off his lights. He was over feeding and had too much waste in his water. So there are too many variables going into a fishtank to just be stuck in a set of rules. The best rule I can give you is look at your plants and fish first, then make adjustments. And putting dirt in your tanks rules!

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[1990tyler]

Hey Dustin what are you feeding your fish?

[Dustinsfishtanks]

@1990tyler I only feed once a day. Sometimes i skip a day... The weekends i power feed. You can tell i don't feed much because of how small my baby rainbows are...but whatever...Less work...less waste. You can feed more but be ready to do the work

[yorkiesrule2010]

@ATP6TS Snails always eat live plants

[Savex513]

I love plecos. Got two in a 30 gal =D They totally hate each other but keep to themselves. Its "against the rules" but theyve been fine for two years.

[TheMoviemakerjr]

@Dustinsfishtanks, my 18 fish are all doing fine in a ten gal tank but I think the 2 flame tetra are bullying my red-tails so can I have help(5 flames, 2 of 5 like to chase my 2 red-tails to 1 side then one on the other side chases them to the side the were just at. it stops sometimes and I feed my fish 2 times a day, and just a bit of algae on the glass( pleco ain't eating it. type: corie) glass isn't foggy after I feed them and they seem to know when I feed them.

[TheMoviemakerjr]

@TheGeordieFishKeeper, Well, depends, if you have a fish that likes hanging out near the sunlight and never uses cover than, yeah, its fine but fish like tetra love cover so you need it.

[TheGeordieFishKeeper]

hey, is it ok if i dont have any plants in my tank?

[ox387]

damn you have a sick setup your tanks are awesome im learnin a shitload watchin your vids thanks for postin these

[mccowlie]

if you have more plants in my tank is it good or not m8 i thort it made the fish alot happier

[spudsssy]

Ahh I did water changes like once every month in my lowlight, heavily planted tank with a single Dwarf snakehead.

(Plants loved it!!)

[spudsssy]

Another gret Vid Dustin. *Spuds adds Vid to playlist*