Aquarium stocking.

[extendedmango]

How does someone know if they have too many fish? I have searched and searched for a method that I can use to ensure that the bio load on my tank won't increase to an unmanageable point and have found nothing! Right now I have three fish that I love dearly but I really want some new ones. Any ideas?


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[LuizW13]

Although i am a noob and don't have anything just yet, I believe that if you can't keep your ammonia levels at 0 it may be sign.

I guess if it looks crowded, that can be a sign too?

The more experienced reefers are going to ask about your system to help them make suggestions.

 

[Billy1205]

As I'm keeping a 120gallon mixed reef tank, here's just my personal experience. It been almost a year, I didn't test my ammonia and no2. I will only keep an eye on no3 and po4, make sure they are always close to zero. You could add your fish slowly and test the water, if no3 raise, then you know that your system couldn't support that fish load or you overly feed. I do run rowaphos and chaeto in my sump to remove no3 and po4.

 

[scooter31707]

IMO, once you cannot control nirates. What size tank and what fish you have?

 

[thegrun]

There isn't a formula out there because there are so many variables. Equipment, types of fish and types of corals if any all come onto play. If you give us a list of your fish, size of tank and a list of equipment we can help you determine what other fish might be appropriate.

 

[gone fishin]

There isn't a formula out there because there are so many variables. Equipment, types of fish and types of corals if any all come onto play. If you give us a list of your fish, size of tank and a list of equipment we can help you determine what other fish might be appropriate.

I agree. Stocking a tank is as much an art as it is about the facts of size and aggressiveness.

 

[billdogg]

There isn't a formula out there because there are so many variables. Equipment, types of fish and types of corals if any all come onto play. If you give us a list of your fish, size of tank and a list of equipment we can help you determine what other fish might be appropriate.

What he said.

Way back in the day, I had 54 creatures (corals, anemones, fish, assorted inverts) in a 55g tank. Crowded? sure. Overstocked? Sure. Yet I was able to keep parameters in check with large frequent water changes. At least until the GF killed them all, but that's another story...... Now I have a 120g mostly SPS reef with all of 8 smallish fish, a serpent star, a cleaner shrimp, a urchin and a small CUC that is at least IMO, nicely stocked.

Without knowing what you have, it is just not possible to give a meaningful answer to your question.

 

[extendedmango]

Oh sorry billdogg, I certain that I am not overstocked currently because I only have 3 fish in my 50 gallon reef. Do all the more experienced agree with the method of stocking until the no3/po4 levels rise slightly?


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[heathlindner25]

I agree. Stocking a tank is as much an art as it is about the facts of size and aggressiveness.

This, it takes years of learning fish behavior.

 

[thegrun]

Oh sorry billdogg, I certain that I am not overstocked currently because I only have 3 fish in my 50 gallon reef. Do all the more experienced agree with the method of stocking until the no3/po4 levels rise slightly?


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No3/po4 levels are certainly two items to watch in regards to overstocking but aggression also comes into play. Overly aggressive tanks usually lead to a lot of stress on the fish on the bottom of the food aggression/food chain and stress often leads to disease.

 

[billdogg]

Nitrate levels are almost certain to rise at least short term with any new addition. It will take the denitrifying bacteria a little while to increase their population to compensate. That's why, regardless of current stocking level, you add new inhabitants slowly, not several at once.

 

[extendedmango]

Okay thanks to all that replied!!!!!


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