Are They`re Different Methods To Calculate Stocking Of Fish?

[maisy12345]

Hi ,just wondered if everyone uses different methods to calculate how many fish to stock in their aquariums,I1ve been advised 1cm of fish per 1l of tank ,does anyone use a different metod,and also does it make any difference on what layers the fish will swim?

 

[StandbySetting]

There are a few different guides:

1 inch per gallon
1 inch of fish per 12 square inches of surface area.

Once you've got some experience under your belt you'll soon find what works and what doesn't.

 

[fluttermoth]

I use the '1 inch of fish per 12 square inches of surface area' personally (well, when I'm advising noobs on stocking anyway!)

It doesn't matter what levels the fish swim at; stocking is to do with surface area for gas exchange and ammonia levels that a filter can cope with and things like that.

Having said that, there obviously are limits on the amount of fish you can have in one area; I've got a 48"x15"x18" next to me atm, so that can hold around 60" of fish; if I was to put in 60 panda cories that would be ridiculous

 

[fishguy2727]

All of the usual guides are extremely flawed. Most fish have three dimensions, not one, so focussing only on one will inevitably lead to problems. The surface area of the tank guide assumes that the surface area is the only way to aerate and that is the limiting factor of the tank, both not true.

The biggest limiting factor in almost all tanks is water quality. If you can keep the water quality up you are not overstocked. In extremes you can keep the water quality up and still have the fish overcrowded, but this would require an extremely aggressive water change schedule. Basically if the nitrate concentration is under 20ppm, the water is visibly clear, there is not ammonia or nitrite, and the fish have enough room to carry out natural behavior you are fine.

There are so many things involved that trying to oversimplify it with a basic equation is blinding yourself to the tank's whole system.

 

[maisy12345]

Hi ,thanks for your reply,would you think that this is overstocking,i always check my water daily
6 glowlight tetra ,6 green fire tetra ,3 dwarf gourami [1m,2f]6 corries [3 albino ,3 bronze] 2 pitbull plecos,shrimp

 

[StandbySetting]

Not at all, you could comfortably double the tetra numbers.

 

[maisy12345]

Thanks Standby setting,someones agreed with me,my tank is 110l though,forgot to mention.

 

[fluttermoth]

All of the usual guides are extremely flawed. Most fish have three dimensions, not one, so focussing only on one will inevitably lead to problems. The surface area of the tank guide assumes that the surface area is the only way to aerate and that is the limiting factor of the tank, both not true. The biggest limiting factor in almost all tanks is water quality. If you can keep the water quality up you are not overstocked. In extremes you can keep the water quality up and still have the fish overcrowded, but this would require an extremely aggressive water change schedule. Basically if the nitrate concentration is under 20ppm, the water is visibly clear, there is not ammonia or nitrite, and the fish have enough room to carry out natural behavior you are fine. There are so many things involved that trying to oversimplify it with a basic equation is blinding yourself to the tank's whole system.

I do agree with you, however I do think the guides have a place to give newbies a rough idea of how many fish they're going to be able to keep.

Hi ,thanks for your reply,would you think that this is overstocking,i always check my water daily 6 glowlight tetra ,6 green fire tetra ,3 dwarf gourami [1m,2f]6 corries [3 albino ,3 bronze] 2 pitbull plecos,shrimp

I'd agree with SBS that you definitely have space to up your shoals. Really you want to watch how fast and high your nitrate goes between changes. If it's going from 20 to 160 in a week, you'd be overstocked!

 

[maisy12345]

Thanks fluttermoth,thats helped me a lot

 

[Mikaila31]

It varies. IMO no way is perfect or exact. Depends what you want of the tank too. More fish may = more water changes. Guidelines are helpful but don't be afraid to stray from them. I do like the Nitrate one. My tap water runs with 20ppm though so I tend to let some of my tanks run close to 40ppm. However I have some tanks that actually consume nitrate during the week despite having more fish then gallons lol.