stocking levels

[tttnjfttt]

As a general rule, I know the inch of fish per gallon is a good rule to go by. But I know it has its limitations, and that there are other things to consider as well, such as agression, activity level, where the fish will swim (top, middle, or bottom), and how much waste they produce.

How can you figure out if a tank is truely fully stocked?

 

[Teelie]

Research mostly on what a fish needs and whether the existing fish or set up can support it.

 

[Synirr]

How can you figure out if a tank is truely fully stocked?

When your water just completely crashes, that's when you've gotten a few too many *lol*

I say just use common sense. I've had my mature 10 gallon "overstocked" by most standards in the past (particularly when I was growing up two tiny angels for my 29 gallon,) but as long as the fish are getting along, the bacteria can handle the bioload, and nobody looks too cramped I'd say it's fine.

 

[freddyk]

Yup, the trick is to stock it gradually and keep a close eye on things to avoid that big crash. My two current tanks are both considerably overstocked, but I've got a good grasp on what I can handle, and what the fish need.

We need to be able to keep up with waste through vacuuming and filter maintenance, and nitrates through water changes - when our routine won't keep up with the tank we've gone too far (for some this may be half an inch per gallon, for others it might be 3 inches per gallon). Algae shouldn't be out of control and the water should be clear. Filtration must be up to par.

We also need to keep oxygen at good levels through water movement, and we need a balance of space usage in the tank (as you already mentioned), and fish that do well in more crowded environments.

 

[masterfishes]

i agree....as long as there is plenty of swimming room and very little agression and and the bacteria can haddle the bio load


my 10 gal community(i know this is overstocked and it wasnt intentional so plz no one make a big fuss over it...plz)

top:
1 white cloud
1 black neon
3 long fin danios(1 each of zebra lepored and blue)....strangely all of these 5 school together

mid: 5 guppies...all male....1 metalic baby blue, 1 tequila sunrise, 1 black tux, 1 with a blackis brown body and red orange tail with a fork in it like a flame, and 1 with a white body and spots of several colors and a black tail with a blueish purple center

bottom:
1 common plec(currently 5-6 in and has been through a lot and has a funny story on how i got him which ill explain if u would like)
3 otos
1 albino cory

there is no aggression at all and there is still plenty of swimming space do to only haveing a few plants....i may add a few more soon along with a larger cave for my plec to hide in

ive had most of these fish in this tank since jan and have had only 2 prob becuase of my stuppity of not quaranting and i have added only one fish at a time evry 2-3 weeks.....anyway once a week or so (when i begin to see waste) ill do a 25-30% water change and siphon gravel....incase anyone says something about not enough algea for my ottos and plec...i give them zucinini and algea peletts alternating every other day....and i only feed all the fish 5 days a week and lightly once a day.... plus my water is crystal clear especialy now that my filter is working right....it took me a few weeks to realize it was cloged i do plan to be upgrading sometime within the next year to a larger tank....ill be getting my water tested in the next few days....and like i said no one plz dont make a fuss over this

 

[masterfishes]

helo....anyone there.......... )

 

[WILDER]

This also might help.
http/freshaquarium.about.com/cs/beginner.../a/fishcalc.htm

 

[masterfishes]

umm....who was that directed too.....if me i wasnt asking a question i was just stateing how many fish r in my 10 gal community tank

 

[WILDER]

Just members on the stocking of your tank guide lines.

 

[masterfishes]

oh ok

 

[tttnjfttt]

Thanks for the input everyone. I've always wondered about this. I know I have to wait before adding anything else to my tank, just to make sure all my fish are healthy again.