Intimidating upgrade from 24G to 350G...

[yamamama]

Just purchased a house with a 350G in-wall tank. I started a 24G Nano Cube last year (I'm still a noob)...so the upgrade seems a bit intimidating (but definitely exciting!). The tank was a simple fish tank (no live rock/sand) but I'm planning to add a ton of corals over time.

How many fish can I support in a 350G? I would like to keep the some tangs, damsels, and schooling chromis...among others. Is there an equation for fish vs. gallons of water? Or is it completely dependent on the types of fish?

Thanks peeps!

 

[master_wise]

I don't think there is really a stead fast rule of stocking... It is mostly dependant on the fish and how they are acting with each other... If they fight with other and there is visible damage you have over stocked or you jsut may have one over aggressive fish... I have seen tanks that I would have though over stocked but then everything run perfectly... Really up to the fishes man...

 

[Goldleaf Reef]

People use to go by the 1 inch of fish per gallon, that concept never held water with me as it's many factors that come into play.

IS it going to be :

Bare bottom /DSB, regular sump, extra large sump w / w/o refugium, how you plan to feed, how heavly you plan to skim, rate of turnover, what type of corals you plan on going with down the road, is it mixed reeff, sps etc.

I would say determine rate of flow and what kind of fish you really like, I like fish that stay small, I like a tank with a lot of inverts, with a big fish here and there. Some will say you don't want it looking crowded, but they crowd them in at the public Aquarium. And don't get me started on the tang police.

Bottom line you should go with what you feel is most comfortable to you and take it slow with fish additions.

Great find on the house, I am sure that was a factor in you buying the house, what a come up.

 

[scaryperson27]

Why damsels? You know this is going to be an incredibly expensive project, too expensive in my opinion to throw damsels in. I think the equation is 1 inch per 5 gallons of water however that isn't exactly accurate being that there are many things that play a role in finding the maximum bioload of a tank. What type of fish, whether they are a messy eater, how sensitive is the fish ect. This upgrade should be very intimidating. If you are going to stick corals in the tank i would advise that you get .75lbs+ rock per gallon. Whats your setup? What equipment came with the tank if any at all?

 

[bskiba]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7965954#post7965954 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scaryperson27
Why damsels? You know this is going to be an incredibly expensive project, too expensive in my opinion to throw damsels in. I think the equation is 1 inch per 5 gallons of water however that isn't exactly accurate being that there are many things that play a role in finding the maximum bioload of a tank. What type of fish, whether they are a messy eater, how sensitive is the fish ect. This upgrade should be very intimidating. If you are going to stick corals in the tank i would advise that you get .75lbs+ rock per gallon. Whats your setup? What equipment came with the tank if any at all?

I was thinking the same thing.. find some better fish. instead of chromis, anthia's. a 350 is big time and you can have soo much more.

 

[yamamama]

Thank you all for the advice. Indeed, I was stoked to find the perfect house that just happened to have an awesome tank in it. I'll post pics after work...

The tank currently has some crappy pc lighting...no sump...no fuge. The pumps are pretty old and powerless...so I'll be upgrading those. I'll definitely be upgrading to some MHs so I can keep SPS. I'll also add a regular sump w/fuge. High flow...good skimmer...but I'm still researching that exact equipment/brands...any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I'm thinking 150-200 lbs of rock as a starter...I know I'll need to add more as I can afford it. But I wanted to keep some open sand bed areas with plenty of swimming room. Going for a clean, open look...

I'll be taking this process slowly indeed.

 

[yamamama]

RE: damsels...lol I just always like them. But you make a great point...one I'm just now realizing in order to have a killer, quality 'show' tank

 

[scaryperson27]

What are the measurements of the tank?

 

[jonathanws]

wow, 350 g, im so jealous. i have a 12g that i've been training on for a while but my next upgrade will be at least 90, ideally a 125g. i hope you let us know what happens. and with 350g i wouldnt ever think of damsels. man you have so many posssibilities. good luck!

 

[Shnabbles]

While your in the fish planning mode, Dont add any angels, add only fish that you are 100% sure is reef safe.

The last thing you want to do is take a risk adding a fish that might or might not be reef safe only to find out 6 months down the road that it is nipping at your corals, then having to go through catching a 3 inch fish in a 350 gallon tank..

I had a (supposed to be) reef safe bi color angel for 2 years only to realize that it was constantly nipping at my corals when i wasnt looking... i had to remove almost all of my 80lbs of rock (in a 55) to catch the SOB...

 

[Lunchbucket]

dang i need to find me a house like that!!

can't wait to see pics

Lunchbucket