How Much Time Does it Take to Maintain 57 Fish Tanks??

Hello Everyone,
I wanted to do a quick video outlining the amount of time it takes to maintain our fish room in case you are thinking about adding more tanks. I hope you find the information useful for your planning.

Want to learn more about the costs of our fish room? Check out these videos!

For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics

Thanks for watching!

[PrimeTimeAquatics]

Want to learn more about the costs of our fish room? Check out these videos!



For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics

[TazawaTanks]

Jason, I agree with your estimate of time. I calculated how much time I spend maintaining my 35 tanks, and it averages out to be around 1 hour per day. You are close to double the amount of tanks, so this calculation is consistent with yours. I think I also have more smaller tanks than you as well, which cuts down the time on water changes. I love the subject...looking forward to hearing about costs!

[rantsandreviews]

I learned the hard way when setting up my first fish room that you don't just add tanks willy nilly as most folks do. They just gradually add tanks until "Wow! I have a fish room!" And it's usually impossible to organize and operate efficiently. When I set up my current fish room I actually did it right. I drew up plans and did it by design. Water supply and WC system as well as air system all in place before a drop of water hit a tank. I maintained as many as 34 tanks in about 6 hours per week but only 4 were large tanks. This includes water changes, daily feeding and inspection. But it was designed to be efficient from the git go. My first fish room took way more of my time. But it also cost alot less to set up LOL!!! I recently downsized by half and I wish I would have done it years ago. I find myself enjoying the hobby so much more with fewer species involved. Great video and info...Thanks!

[catfishcave]

The opening 2 1/2 minutes alone talking about feeding makes this one of the most important videos anyone thinking about a fish room should watch. And it just gets better - excellent video on a very untalked about topic. I'm thinking 8-12 tanks will be my comfortable maximum (6 at the moment)... I'll wait a few years to retirement before I try more than that.

[TMAquatics]

I currently run 16 tanks. Only 1 is set up on an auto water change system. I am comfortable with the level of work and maintenance currently needed on the other 15 tanks, but I am at my limit. Any more tanks and it would start to feel like work. I will only expand if any new tanks are drilled and set up with auto water change systems. 👍

[AquaApprentice]

Well said! I want a fish room but I am going to slowly build it up to make sure it is something that I can actually maintain.

[GirlTalksFish]

Thank you for talking about the time cost of keeping multiple tanks! I’ve got young kids right now, so my max is 2 display tanks plus maybe a quarantine or fry tank. Gotta know your limits!

[anthonycoates]

Absolutely outstanding video Jason!!! Rick made that comment towards the end of the other video and sort of off-the-cuff but it really stood out to me. Huge kudos to you for expanding on it so that some folks might take a second to think about these large fish rooms and really consider things before jumping in with both feet.

[ejfishes]

Great points & the time does add up! I recently took down 2 of mine & consolidated fish to my other aquariums...have 14 running now

[WeldonTanks]

Great insight and topic! I was shocked when I expanded my amount of tanks at what was required, and now branching into Puffer Fish and meeting required diets has been fun. You give a simple and effective break down, and the fish room looks great!
Keeping it realistic was something I had to learn

[kmadsen]

You have quite the system going and great helpers!! I have 9 tanks, biggest is 55 gallon, smallest is 5.5 gallon. I do water changes once a week and it takes me about 5 hours. Now they are all planted, some with gravel and some with aqua soil. In the gravel tanks I remove everything that isn't actually planted in the substrate, driftwood, rocks and java fern, anubias, etc. Also I'm a futzer. Once my hands are in a tank, I'm trimming rearranging etc. I have a love/hate relationship with wc day. I hate thinking about it, but once I start I enjoy it. Also I don't have a dedicated fish room, they are spread all over the house. So I have to move my little fold up table with my utensils and the huge garbage can that holds my 25 foot python syphon and my buckets all over the house. I use the buckets to remove water and the python to put it back in. Most friends & family think I'm crazy...I probably am 🤪🤯

[danielscerri]

Nice video mate. So true and when you have multiple tanks you really don't think about that next tank your setting up. To breed a fish out or just cause you had the space, it dose take up more of your time and is a big commitment. Hope you have a good day mate. :)

[MusingsFromTheDen]

I've shared this on Twitter as I think these are really good points to consider before you start out in this hobby anyway. 😊

I upgraded from a 17 gallon (my first tank) to a 33 gallon this year and I don't find it too much more time consuming but I've always been quite good at sticking to a routine and maintaining my tank is actually a pleasure and relaxing for me which helps.

Now I've got my maintenence schedule nailed, I actually think I could start the other tank up again and keep on top of both, if only I had the space! 😁

[BamAquatics]

I currently have 7 set up. I have 6 more ready to set up. The maintenance isn’t too bad for me at this point. Thank God for the python. It saves a lot of time.

[pavilionend]

Finally! Someone made a video about this very important point. Better to have 4 awesome tanks rather than 40 struggling ones.

[AQUAPROS]

TRUTH! Hey how many dehumidifiers do you run down there?

[aquariumhacksbymarcus]

I couldn't agree more I used to run several tanks but it does take a lot of time and commitment I am down to only two now a 75-gallon and a 55 gallon and I think that's all I will keep from here on out

[growinginportland]

This is so true. I have 5 main tanks, and 1 Quarantine tank, It takes me about 4 hours a week to do the water changes for all 6 tanks. This includes all the cleanup, gravel vacs, and so on. I do plan to add more tanks later, but only after I come up with a plan to speed the process up. I want the hobby to be enjoyable and not feel like work. Lately, it's been borderline.

[BobWright]

I love your "realistic" approach!
I have "fish fever"!! But you are right... How much time can I really spend on it? Thank You

[FishTankBarn]

Great video definitely something to think about. I have a fish room of about 30 tanks. I run auto water change using a Neptune Apex on my freshwater tanks. My saltwater tanks are a different animal.