I have a tank going (again) and plan to, in the future, have more. I am curious if an additional tank is much more effort. obviously, cycling can be easier because you can use water/substrate from the existing tank, but after that, is it twice as much work to have two as having one or is it less/more than that?
Although I only have one tank ... I pondered the same question since I'm looking to start up a second tank eventually.
The way I see it it depends on
1. Are the tanks by each other? Easier to do a PWC than with tanks on two separate rooms / floors.
2. Tank type ... having SW and FW is a bit more demanding than just FW next to each other.
3. Tank Stock ... Multiple tanks with hardy fish is probably less demanding than trying to keep up multiple oscar tanks.
In the end I suppose it really just depends on one's commitment to maintaining multiple tanks. It probably gets "easier" with continued effort. I suppose a good water changer and maintenance routine helps!
I started my first tank in May and now I have a total of 4 tanks going, with the plans of setting up a 5th tank hopefully in the next month or so. There is more work that is involved, with the additional water changes, but depending on the size of the tanks and the methods, it can be a very simple process or can be a little time consuming. My largest tank is my 50 gallon which takes me the most time to do my water changes on, with changing out about 40% of the water by using the bucket method. The other tanks I have are a 20, 10 and 5 which are more simpler in changing the water and not as time consuming as the larger tank. I am also planning on purchasing a water changer system similar to the python which attaches to the sink and keeps you from having to fill and carry multiple buckets, which will make doing my water changes even easier to do. I tend to give one afternoon either Sunday or Monday, depending on which week it is determines which day I have off of work to do my water changes.
With more tanks of course comes more work (weekly water changes). But it's all a part of the hobby and I enjoy the time I spend on the tanks. However, for me, with 6 tanks running and my work hours being so long now it's getting to be a bit much keeping up with them. I find myself spending most of my weekend doing tank maintenance since I don't have time during the week anymore. I'm thinking of shutting down my divided 10 gallon Betta tank and another 10 gallon and just keeping my 3 large tanks (135G and two 55G's) plus the 20 long QT going. Problem is I'm really attached to the Bettas and can't bear to part with them. :-( But, anyway...it's about finding what's comfortable for you. I think for you, having 2 tanks will not be much more work then the one. So go ahead and go for it! Just don't let MTS get too out of hand. LOL
Is a labor of love. You either do it cause you love it, or you don't care for the extra time it takes to ensure that fishes remain healthy and so extra tanks ,,often result in neglected tanks.
I have a dedicated fish room, currently with 7 tanks (plus the 8th, a QT). I would have more but there is no room, unless I somehow hang them fro the ceiling. Having them together makes it easy for many things, including maintenance.
You have to decide on the day for maintenance, it is the only way. Mornings work best, as the fish have the rest of the daylight to settle; 30 minutes or more after the lights come on, and they should not be fed beforehand. Set aside one day a week, whatever works, but keep it consistent.
In my case, Monday morning is fish day. It takes me 3 hours to do all of them, sometimes a bit less (if no plant pruning, re-aquascaping, etc), sometimes more. I would not have fish if I couldn't devote the time. They are living ctreatures, and taking on the responsibility of having them means taking on the necessary work, as I think 1077 said.
Byron.
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