number of fish VS SPS health

[kevensquint]

I don't know what the current rumor is, but I have very few fish (65-4 fish) and my tanks health is just ok, I especially have problems with getting my acros to color up. Now, I have 2 friends with SPS dominated tanks and LOTS of fish (150 cube- 19 fish & 220- 35 fish), not only do the fish make the tank look more interesting, but the corals look fantastic, growthwise and color. Opinions please.

 

[twon8]

as long as you have a good skimmer you can have a lot of fish and still keep the water clean. what type of skimmer do you have?

 

[Amphiprion]

There can be many interesting effects. Often, more fish=more feeding, so typically nutrient poor tanks will sometimes boom with color. The opposite can be true, etc. etc.

Personally, I have noticed very little differences. I only have 2 small fish in my 75, but I have always been a proponent of ultra low fish populations, even in freshwater tanks. My fish have NEVER had a disease problem (knock on wood).

 

[MIKE NY]

This is the exact same problem I'm battling right now. I always kept a low population of fish, but after seeing so many beautiful SPS tanks with lotsa of fish. I decided I wanted a more natural looking reef with more fish so added a few more.......well I kept the same maintaince schedule, but got a little lazy....big mistake!........ DINOS and color lose. I have since increased my water, carbon, phosban changes the dinos are almost gone and colors are starting to come back and I may have to do more as the fish grow larger......moral of the story .....increased bio-load=increased filtration...good luck.

 

[MiddletonMark]

One thing I note about your story - both tanks you like the colors on are much larger. Likely a little more stable parameters, other factors as well ... while the fish might be something to consider, water volume likely has an effect too.

I'd also follow Amphirion's advice - more fish often means more feeding [perhaps more often too, once/twice a day] ... which perhaps is what the corals like.

 

[MCsaxmaster]

Agreed. Could be a lot of things going on and there might be quite a number of factors leading to the differences you're seeing. I will concur with what you're seeing though. IME, most corals seem to be the most colorful and the most prolific in tanks with largish fish populations and thus significant daily feedings yet still maintain undetectable N and P concentrations (through skimming, algal growth in a refugium, or whatever other method). Again, could be many things going on, but it does seem to me that there is at least a trend.

Best,

Chris

 

[kevensquint]

The only thing that crossed my mind was the more often +larger quantity feedings that perhaps boost the corals health. On the same token that would increase pollutants in the water, so I suppose an intense water quality maintenance program would have to be followed. That being said, just wanted to hear what you all thought too.

 

[kevensquint]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7244136#post7244136 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by twon8
as long as you have a good skimmer you can have a lot of fish and still keep the water clean. what type of skimmer do you have?

Just would like to answer this one. The guy with the 150 uses the Deltec HOB model skimmer and a CSS 3004 insump. The guy with the 220 has NO skimmer! He's kinda out there and likes to do things different than everyone else, but his tank is of TOTM quality.

 

[Chicago]

you can have fish.. many if you want.. just need to think about how to export phosphate... ie use more rowaphose. also need to monitor the nitrate levels... good skimming helps alot..

i have 30 plus fish in my reef ... granted it is large but skimming and lots phosphate controll.

just my experiance.