How much bio-load? - Aquarium Advice

Becks · 11-16-2006, 08:47 AM

What bio-load will my tank support? I want to add another fish but I know I can't go on like this forever!.... How does one know/guess when to stop?

I have a new Aquapod 24 with 4 fish resident. (details on info page) I want to add someone with an appetite for fuzzy green algae.

TIA, Becks
PS. The cardinal is eating again and I think will survive and prosper indefinitely.

**roka64** · 11-16-2006, 10:59 AM

It looks like you are pretty close to maxed.
Fuzzy green algae, is it hair algae?
What/how much/how often do you feed?
How long do you run your lights?
The reason I am asking, is if you have hair algae, adding fish to eat it won't really work. It tends to grow faster then they can eat it.

**melosu58** · 11-16-2006, 11:28 AM

I kind of agree that you are about full. Another fish to eat the hair algea would be a bandaid solution. Try to get rid of the hair algea by limiting its fuel.

**lando** · 11-16-2006, 08:04 PM

I would say that is about it for what you have listed. Adding more LR to your tank would help stretch the bioload capacity a bit but with four fish already I would say you are at your limit.

Becks · 11-17-2006, 05:45 AM

I'm feeding mysid shrimp - I have just reduced feeding to every other day. On feeding days I give 3 or 4 tweezer pinches. Just enough to make sure everybody gets one or 2 bites. I do this in the morning and again at night on feeding days. Is that too much?

Am also planning to replace all the man-made filter media with LR rubble and upgrade the pump. These two things should happen today or tomorrow.

Is there a rule of thumb for knowing how many fish you can put in a system?

**roka64** · 11-17-2006, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becks

Is there a rule of thumb for knowing how many fish you can put in a system?

This really depends on what you are stocking, messy eaters would mean fewer fish. Better filtration will also help, as Lando stated.

**melosu58** · 11-17-2006, 10:51 AM

There is an inch rule but I dont subscribe to it because all fish are different and some eat different than others. It basically depends on the fish.

11-16-2006, 08:47 AM	#1
Becks Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stuart, FL Posts: 29	How much bio-load? What bio-load will my tank support? I want to add another fish but I know I can't go on like this forever!.... How does one know/guess when to stop? I have a new Aquapod 24 with 4 fish resident. (details on info page) I want to add someone with an appetite for fuzzy green algae. TIA, Becks PS. The cardinal is eating again and I think will survive and prosper indefinitely.

11-16-2006, 10:59 AM	#2
roka64 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 10,007 Images: 12	It looks like you are pretty close to maxed. Fuzzy green algae, is it hair algae? What/how much/how often do you feed? How long do you run your lights? The reason I am asking, is if you have hair algae, adding fish to eat it won't really work. It tends to grow faster then they can eat it. __________________ Uh-oh, I just overloaded my Bioload! Vote for AA Good reading about: Nitrogen Cycle Fishless Cycling Need more help? Articles Acronym List --Scott

11-16-2006, 11:28 AM	#3
melosu58 SW 10 yrs and over Community Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 11,847 Images: 73	I kind of agree that you are about full. Another fish to eat the hair algea would be a bandaid solution. Try to get rid of the hair algea by limiting its fuel. __________________ View My Tanks Click here to Visit FantasyReef

11-16-2006, 08:04 PM	#4
lando Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Savage, MN Posts: 7,624 Images: 46	I would say that is about it for what you have listed. Adding more LR to your tank would help stretch the bioload capacity a bit but with four fish already I would say you are at your limit. __________________ Some people are like slinkies...they serve no real purpose yet can still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs! Have a great day! Brian

11-17-2006, 05:45 AM	#5
Becks Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stuart, FL Posts: 29	I'm feeding mysid shrimp - I have just reduced feeding to every other day. On feeding days I give 3 or 4 tweezer pinches. Just enough to make sure everybody gets one or 2 bites. I do this in the morning and again at night on feeding days. Is that too much? Am also planning to replace all the man-made filter media with LR rubble and upgrade the pump. These two things should happen today or tomorrow. Is there a rule of thumb for knowing how many fish you can put in a system? __________________ ~Becks ". . . WoW, who ordered that?!"

11-17-2006, 10:51 AM	#7
melosu58 SW 10 yrs and over Community Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 11,847 Images: 73	There is an inch rule but I dont subscribe to it because all fish are different and some eat different than others. It basically depends on the fish. __________________ View My Tanks Click here to Visit FantasyReef

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