Am I feeding too much?

[eliza4fish]

I have 2 platies (and 3 snails and a betta) in a 20 gallon. I usually do 50% water changes once a week but I’ve moved up to twice a week. My platies, particularly the biggest one, produce a TON of waste. It’s becoming more and more of a problem because their poo gets in between hard to reach places (so I have to take everything out) and has taken over my substrate. I only feed them a sprinkle of flakes once a day. Do platies just have huge bio loads or is this abnormal? Any advice on how to deal with this would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Broggy]

as long as the water is safe, its fine. its not much of a problem except for it doesn't look too good

 

[Idkitsathrowaway]

Personally I would not keep platies with bettas, that sounds like a accident waiting to happen, and I cant really tell how much your feeding, a sprinkle could be like a tiny amount, or a pinch, to a bottle cap, it hard to tell, I would give 5-7 flakes per fish personally depending on size, and twice a day, platies tend to be active

 

[LeafY4life77]

I have 2 platies (and 3 snails and a betta) in a 20 gallon. I usually do 50% water changes once a week but I’ve moved up to twice a week. My platies, particularly the biggest one, produce a TON of waste. It’s becoming more and more of a problem because their poo gets in between hard to reach places (so I have to take everything out) and has taken over my substrate. I only feed them a sprinkle of flakes once a day. Do platies just have huge bio loads or is this abnormal? Any advice on how to deal with this would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Platys are pretty messy! I think you are doing a fine job with water changes, and feeding.
Keep it up !

 

[TJG]

Maybe look at increased water flow. What type of filter are you running?

 

[eliza4fish]

as long as the water is safe, its fine. its not much of a problem except for it doesn't look too good

Thank you! Parameters are fine.. I guess I just don't like the look of it! At least everyone is healthy haha

Personally I would not keep platies with bettas, that sounds like a accident waiting to happen, and I cant really tell how much your feeding, a sprinkle could be like a tiny amount, or a pinch, to a bottle cap, it hard to tell, I would give 5-7 flakes per fish personally depending on size, and twice a day, platies tend to be active

Thank you for your recommendation. I was nervous for a while having a betta and 2 platies together too but I've realized that they do great together! My betta is quite a pushover haha
I feed my platies a little less than a capful of flakes a day (maybe 7 ish flakes?) and I alternate between tetra tropical flakes, spirulina bug bites and color enhancing, and I fast them once a week.

Maybe look at increased water flow. What type of filter are you running?

I didn't even think of that! I recently switched from an Aqua-Tech 10-20 Power filter (came with the tank) to an aquaclear 30. It has an adjustable flow so I try to keep it on the lowest setting because of my betta.

Platys are pretty messy! I think you are doing a fine job with water changes, and feeding.
Keep it up !

Haha thank you, I'm glad someone else notices how messy they are! Good thing they're cute lol