Safe Stocking Levels. What Do You Think?

[st24rsap]

Ive been thinking about stocking levels lately and the 1" per Gallon rule and was just curious what everyones thoughts are on SAFE stocking levels.

I know it all depends on what type of tank, fish species, water condition, cleaning frequency, feeding routine etc etc but everyone must have there own ideas on how well stocked there tanks are.

Personally i know my tanks are overstocked but i religiously vacum the gravel every day to remove surface waste, do a 25% water change every 5-7 days and once a month will do a larger 40% change and check the Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate levels every few days

 

[SJ2K]

Depends how experienced you are, im grossly over stocked but understand how to compensate for it i wouldnt recommend much above 1"pg for newer keepers though.

 

[rdd1952]

In my opinion, an overstocked tank is one that has problems with water parameters. If your water parameters are always good and the fish are fine and healthy, the tank isn't overstocked, even if you have 5" per gallon. On the other hand, if you have constant ammonia and nitrite problems and your fish are always showing signs of stress and disease, then you are most likely overstocked or at the least overfeeding.

The 1" per gallon guide is really only for beginners to help them ease into the hobby with as few problems as possible and to keep things simple and easy until they get accustomed to how things work and what to look for.

 

[fry_lover]

In my opinion, an overstocked tank is one that has problems with water parameters. If your water parameters are always good and the fish are fine and healthy, the tank isn't overstocked, even if you have 5" per gallon. On the other hand, if you have constant ammonia and nitrite problems and your fish are always showing signs of stress and disease, then you are most likely overstocked or at the least overfeeding.

The 1" per gallon guide is really only for beginners to help them ease into the hobby with as few problems as possible and to keep things simple and easy until they get accustomed to how things work and what to look for.

i like that definition Bob, it's all too easy sometimes for people to read a list of whats in the tank and reply "you are overstocked, you need to re-home some fish"

there is more to it than that, if i listed the amount of fish in my mbuna tank, some peeps jump on the keyboard in a flash LOL

but i have x2 Eheim 2028's, do 40% a week and may up that soon, and my fish are loving it, tank and fish look great in my opinion.

never get ammonia or nitrite readings, so have a bit of an issue with nitrate (over 50ppm) but i get 25ppm from the tap, and am actively working on nitrate issues.

 

[aaronnorth]

As long as you keep up with maitenance and water parameters are ok then it iis ok to be overstocked, if you do 1 w/c monthly then you obviously can't over stock.

 

[fry_lover]

Depends how experienced you are, im grossly over stocked but understand how to compensate for it i wouldnt recommend much above 1"pg for newer keepers though.

what tank of yours is grossly over stocked?

coz the one in your siggy is grossly under stocked

 

[aaronnorth]

He is slightly isn't he?

1 Blue Ram - 3" x = 3"
2 Male Guppies 2" x 2 = 4"
4 Corydora's Julii 2" x 4 = 8"
5 Neon Tetra - 1.5" x 5 = 7.5"
6 Lemon Tetra - 2" x 6 = 12"

Total = 34.5"
Guidline = 20"

 

[fry_lover]

He is slightly isn't he?

1 Blue Ram - 3" x = 3"
2 Male Guppies 2" x 2 = 4"
4 Corydora's Julii 2" x 4 = 8"
5 Neon Tetra - 1.5" x 5 = 7.5"
6 Lemon Tetra - 2" x 6 = 12"

Total = 34.5"
Guidline = 20"

well even with those figures which must be the absolute MAX you would ever see for a lot of those fish in home tanks, it's 1.5" per gallon, i would just say "reasonably stocked" if he knows what he's doing.

However, i would adjust the figures you gave for size (anal i know, sorry), how about this

1 Blue Ram - 2.5" x = 2.5"
2 Male Guppies 1.5" x 2 = 3"
4 Corydora's Julii 1.75" x 4 = 7" (lol, extra anal)
5 Neon Tetra - 1.25" x 5 = call it 6.5" (lol, as above, lol)
6 Lemon Tetra - 2" x 6 = 12" hmm, ok!! i stick with 12"

Total = 31"

hmmm, dont know why i bothered LOL, not much difference, and its not understocked for sure i guess!!!

but he cant call that grossly overstocked, no one can.

lmao, SJ2K i hope you appreciate all the trouble we gone to here!!!!!

 

[st24rsap]

i new i shouldnt have started this thread lol

 

[dzsigmond217]

i new i shouldnt have started this thread lol

I'm fairly new as well but the advice given by the members with experience sounds good. What I wonder is do the fish mind living in an 'overstocked tank'? I'm not overstocked (I dont think ) but sometimes it looks like the fish all hang out together and bump into each other. So..I wonder if they care..I don't think so but am interested in what other members think..?

 

[fry_lover]

i new i shouldnt have started this thread lol

why not? its a good thread, been done time and again, but always good to get a new perspective

i new i shouldnt have started this thread lol

I'm fairly new as well but the advice given by the members with experience sounds good. What I wonder is do the fish mind living in an 'overstocked tank'? I'm not overstocked (I dont think ) but sometimes it looks like the fish all hang out together and bump into each other. So..I wonder if they care..I don't think so but am interested in what other members think..?

I think that at least half the time people say other peoples tanks are "over stocked" simply because it's not to their taste, their over-stocked opinion actually has nothing to do with anything scientific or technical, other than "you wouldnt like to live in a small bedroom" or something like that

thats fine, but maybe more people should be honest about it.

EDIT: of course, the other half of the time, its perfectly good and sensible feedback, because peeps have ended up with a dangerous stocking level or mix of fish

What RDD said earlier in thread is something that should be echo'd in many threads that turn into "you are over stocked" debates

 

[aaronnorth]

lmao, SJ2K i hope you appreciate all the trouble we gone to here!!!!!