Reef stocking guidelines

[Hatonhed]

Hello again! I was just wondering If there were any rules as to reef stocking guidelines. In the freshwater world you can average about an inch of fish per gallon. This is given that different fish produce higher and lower bio loads and others have different space requirements and so on so forth but inch per gallon is the average. What type of variables do I need to look at to decide what I'll be able to stock in my 46 gallon bowfront?

Thanks again,
Bill

 

[jmoney 402]

There is many variables for this question, the biggest thing to keep in mind is that some corals can actually act aggresively towards other corals. Certain types of corals(Zoanthids, Euphillyas, and others) can shock other corals when they over grow and begin to touch neighboring corals. Some corals also grow quicker then others, you can by a frag of a perticular coral and it my double in size 2 months but another coral may only grow an inch or two. To attempt to answer your question, you can keep PLENTY of corals in a 46 gallon, you just have to research each coral; its temperment, growth habits, light and flow requirments. Hope that helps a little! I am still pretty new myself and as an amateur i really recommend consulting here or to another site before buying any coral AND FISH!

 

[gone fishin]

the inch/gallon rule does not apply to saltwater. You must consider personality, some fish are just don't play well with others. Size and activity level, some fish are open swimmers such as tangs hence size requirements for tanks. Others may get large but pretty mush stay in one certain place. Territory is another some fish will defend a territory to the death. A pair of mature clowns will dominate a large portion of a 46. While others will eat your coral for dinner.

At the top of the forum there is a thread "check before you buy". Only Steve AKA Snorvich answers. Put a list together of what you would like and specific tank info and he will offer some very good advice. He is probably one of the most knowledgeable people on this site.

 

[Hatonhed]

Once again, thank you so much!!

 

[albano]

the inch/gallon rule does not apply to saltwater...

For the record... IMO ...
That 'rule' (old wives tale/myth) does not apply to freshwater or brackish water or any water !
For example, a 5" Oscar or 8" alligator gar needs up a lot more room than five 2" zebra danios

 

[thegrun]

For your tank if you plan on keeping SPS corals I would say the upper limit would be 7 small fish (clowns, wrasses...). I keep five small fish in my 50 cube mixed reef tank. Shrimp and your clean-up crew do not add much is at all to your bio-load.

 

[igot2gats]

the inch/gallon rule does not apply to saltwater.

It also doesn't apply to any kind of fish tank as well. You can have more fish in a tank, if you plan accordingly.

Such as having bottom dwellers like Gobies, & mid level swimmers like Clowns, Wrasses.

If you plan your fish on where they live in your tank, you'll have better luck with more fish.Saltwater is all about planning things out in advance.

Let us know what you want first, and we'll give you advice on yes/no.