Advice Needed

[adrianh33]

I need some advice on stocking levels for a 350 litre corner tank, I am about to buy. As a rule of thumb, I am advised that you can have 1cm per litre of water, however I also understand that the suface area of the tank has to be taken into acount. Please can someone guide me.

 

[Musho3210]

dont follow either of those rules. Tell us every single fish you want, doesnt matter if there are too many or incompatible. Then we can help you buy telling you which ones are compatible and then decideing the numbers for you. Then you can agree or change the numbers a bit etc until your happy.

So start by telling us every single fish you are interested in.

 

[backtotropical]

Your understanding is indeed the rule of thumb, although it is only that. It doesn't apply if you are keeping really big fish etc. Just ask on here as you go along and someone will keep you right.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

People here will gladly give you suggestions for your tank. Stocking is unfortunately much more complicated than "cm per liter" because some fish are big waste producers, or need certain amounts of territory space, or need a certain number of the same species to be happy, etc.

Maybe make a note of which fish you really like vs the ones you are just thinking about. Or if you are thinking about a specific theme, etc.

 

[adrianh33]

Thank you all, as soon as I have the tank setup, I will put together a list and post to the forum. I will need all the advice I can get.

 

[fishlette]

I need some advice on stocking levels for a 350 litre corner tank, I am about to buy. As a rule of thumb, I am advised that you can have 1cm per litre of water, however I also understand that the suface area of the tank has to be taken into acount. Please can someone guide me.

the 'rule of thumb' is 1 INCH per gallon. while this can be a good rule when youre talking about tetras and other smaller, peaceful fish but when youre talking about large, dominant, aggressive type fish, this rule can kinda go out the window. for example, in my 4ft community tank i have about 30 fish all up. but if i were to make that a cichlid tank, i would probably add quite a small group as they are more territorial/prone to fighting etc

as mentioned, do a 'wish list'. from there you can research about all the fish you need and slowly wittle your way down to your stock list

 

[backtotropical]

if i were to make that a cichlid tank, i would probably add quite a small group as they are more territorial/prone to fighting etc

Heavily stocking cichlid tanks and making up for it with extra filtration is the best idea, as they are aggressive and having lots of fish together deters them from picking on one particular fish. This is the best way to keep them all alive as otherwise individuals tend to get bullied.

When doing this you must provide plenty caves for the fish to hide in. This is critical for most cichlid tanks.

Actually, on that note, i had a Trigon full of African rift Lake Cichlids. Stunning. Just an idea for you Adrianh33.

 

[fishlette]

if i were to make that a cichlid tank, i would probably add quite a small group as they are more territorial/prone to fighting etc

Heavily stocking cichlid tanks and making up for it with extra filtration is the best idea, as they are aggressive and having lots of fish together deters them from picking on one particular fish. This is the best way to keep them all alive as otherwise individuals tend to get bullied.

When doing this you must provide plenty caves for the fish to hide in. This is critical for most cichlid tanks.

Actually, on that note, i had a Trigon full of African rift Lake Cichlids. Stunning. Just an idea for you Adrianh33.

i didnt realise we were getting so specific. yes it can be a great idea to put heaps in of certain kinds. but others you need to be quite fussy about and give them their room/hiding places etc i was being general. and personally ive found in my own experience that even with africans/haps etc etc keeping a few in a large tank works really well as long as the tank is set up accordingly

 

[backtotropical]

i didnt realise we were getting so specific.

Not trying to be 'specific' Fishlette. I'm just posting based on my knowledge and experience, as i am sure you are also?