Are you over stocked??

[tecwzrd]

Most fish take at least 2-4 years if not longer to reach full size but I still don’t agree with the thought of “planning” to get a larger tank in the future as a basis on choosing which & how many fish to keep. With the average cost of anywhere from $20 to $30+ dollars per [acronym:8b615d65ab="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:8b615d65ab] for a [acronym:8b615d65ab="Fish only with live rock"]fowlr[/acronym:8b615d65ab] or reef system having that 120+ [acronym:8b615d65ab="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:8b615d65ab] tank is often out of reach for most aquarist for many years.

For beginner [acronym:8b615d65ab="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:8b615d65ab] aquarists the general rule of in/[acronym:8b615d65ab="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:8b615d65ab] in saltwater should be followed closely to alleviate fish stress/water quality issues [acronym:8b615d65ab="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:8b615d65ab] and if you don’t have the space for your fish when they are adults then you are just asking for trouble down the road. Especially with predator fish which can be excessively messy.

Experienced fish keepers can exceed the rule slightly mostly because they often have the proper equipment for keeping the water quality high ie: 1+ lbs of [acronym:8b615d65ab="Live rock"]lr[/acronym:8b615d65ab] per [acronym:8b615d65ab="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:8b615d65ab], quality skimmer, dedicated water changes with [acronym:8b615d65ab="Reverse osmosis"]ro[/acronym:8b615d65ab]\[acronym:8b615d65ab="Deionization"]di[/acronym:8b615d65ab] water, & frequent testing to ensure their results are working.

[AMANIQU77]

I look at the "Way over but don't tell anyone" choice and out of 21 people only 2 admitted. We're all liars! :P Well, I am one of the 2 out of 21.

With that said.....I am not overstocked BUT I don't tell anyone...just to you guys.

[Florida8]

although, I'm tankless at the moment, I voted "Way over stocked..." because many many years ago, with my 1st 55g reef tank... I had 1 maroon clown, 1 hippo tang, 1 kole tang, 1 scooter blenny, 2 pearly headed jawfish, a few chromis and a royal gramma... all at once. They lived happily together for years and with no problems... just luck, loads of super great live rock, and my tank OCD I'm sure.

As I learned and educated myself, I still had a hard time parting with any of my fish... and a bigger tank just wasn't in the picture... I did find better homes for the Kole & the scooter.

[stainless_wm]

I think I am just about right.

What do you think? Its a 35g, with about 15 lbs of lr, 2 striped damsels, 2 spotted cardinals, 2 peppermint shrimp, a little blue lobster,(I think thats what its called) a purple Condylictus (SP?) several hermits and 2 turbo snails.

I agree with LAndo, that water is great, 110w lighting.

I am still pretty new to this, and still have a little bit of die off.

Just lost a lawnmower blenney,

[tecwzrd]

Originally Posted by stainless_wm

Just lost a lawnmower blenny,

Sorry about your loss. A lot of people have trouble keeping them due to them starving in newer tanks. As far as the rest of your stock I’d say you are doing fine.

[specialk]

I am over but my fish are not full size yet...... So I am still under.... LOL

But in 2 years I am upgrading again, I went from a 90g (still running/reef) to a 300g (FOWLR) & going to 600g (FOWLR), already buying my pumps for that tank.... I can't wait!

lando - that was well put....

tecwzrd - I also agree with what you said on upgrades & see it way to often in this hobby

Kaye

[AMANIQU77]

I don't think I am officially overstocked anymore. Although I may still have to work on the ethics and morality of my tank. I have a 4-ft 55G tank with a 2" maroon and a 2.5" BHT. It also comes with 5 large Mexican Turbo Snails and less than a dozen small blue legged hermits. (My cleanup crew so far)

What do you think?

[mak1969]

I think I am just where I should be Now. I have lost two fish in the last two months and think it was due to overcrowding. Everyone seems to be happy now. So easy to overstock!