How do you know when you're maxed on bio-load?

[pammy]

What signs in your reef do you look for to know you've hit your max on bio-load? I know the inch per gallon rule is not always the best measure. Do you start having algae problems if you've neared or gone past your bio-load limits? Do your nitrates start rising? Any tell-tale signs you look for?

Wondering if I'm at my limit with my bio-load, or if I could add 3 chromis, or possible a tail-spot blenny instead of the 3 chromis.

Currently, I have no algae problems. Everything in the tank is doing great. Thanks! Pam

53 gallon tank with 7 gallon sump
Aquascaping is nice and open (see pic below)
Skimmer is rated for 80-130 gallons (Elos NS550)
Phosphates: Undetectable (running Phosban in TLF Reactor)
Nitrates: 2.5 (Salifert)
Nitrites and Ammonia: 0

Thanks!!!
Pam

 

[dadonoflaw]

well several factors would contribute. it is a judgement call. rising nitrates can be a sign as well as undesirable algae though both of these can happen with a low fish load. skimmer size and quality is another. since you have a higher quality skimmer i would say it depends on the fish you already have in there. i would say with the load you have a blenny should be fine. just watch your trates. how often do you empty your skimmer cup?

 

[Chibils]

With the six small fish, I think you ought to be fine.

 

[pammy]

Thanks dadonoflaw. I change and wash my skimmer cup every other day or every 3rd day. My Nitrates have been at 5 for a couple months, and I just got them down to 2.5 by rinsing my food. Pam

 

[pammy]

The picture I posted above, was taken a couple months ago. Here's one I took tonight. Got 5 of the 6 fish in the shot.
Pam

 

[Chibils]

Your gramma isn't very personable. :‹

 

[Just_A_Caveman]

Off topic, but what is the red item above your blue clam?

Sorry, I'm Just_a_Caveman....

 

[Toddrtrex]

I would suggest going with the tail spot blenny. Mainly because if you get 3 chromis odds are you will end up with 1 in a couple of months. They aren't as nice to each other as it would seem. I have tried keeping more then one more then once, and always end up with just one.

 

[ACBlinky]

I overdid it with my 90g, and as the three largest fish got bigger I started to notice a little algae on the sand, cyano in the sump, more hair algae on the sump baffles (fish eat any that pops up in the display). I also saw changes in their behaviour -- tank capacity isn't just about bioload and filtration, it's also a matter of physical room. Some of my fish started to act a little tense, having small shoving matches at feeding time or over a favourite cave/sleeping spot. I removed several fish today, and once I reconstructed the rockwork and stepped back to watch the tank, I was amazed at how relaxed the remaining inhabitants were with each other.

I'll second the suggestion to skip the chromis, and go with the goby instead. I'm betting the goby will give you 10x the enjoyment; chromis often pick on each other instead of schooling, and gobies have much more personality than chromies anyway

 

[Macimage]

Very nice looking setup!

Joyce

 

[pammy]

Hi Caveman. That red you see is a Macro Algae called Dragon's Breath. It grew on my life rock. I love it. It doesn't spread at all. I tried cutting some off and supergluing it to a piece of rock rubble, and it grew giving me a second colony. Here's a closer shot of it. Pam

[/IMG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12321819#post12321819 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Just_A_Caveman
Off topic, but what is the red item above your blue clam?

 

[pammy]

Thanks all. Ok, think I'll skp the chromis and go with a Tail spot blenny. Pam

 

[Chibils]

Would you cut off another piece, glue to to some rubble, and sell it to me?

 

[pammy]

If you were local, I'd gladly give you some.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12324985#post12324985 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chibils
Would you cut off another piece, glue to to some rubble, and sell it to me?

 

[Chibils]

You could always mail it.

 

[Billybeau1]

NH₄ or ammonia would be a sign that you have exceeded your tanks ability to process the tank.

As long as ammonia is zero, you are probably ok.