How many inches per gallon is the consnesus? - Aquarium Advice

spinman · 08-06-2006, 05:20 PM

Wondering what you all consider as being the number of fish for a given tank.

It seems the general rule was 1" of fish per 5 gallons, but Paletta's book, The New Marine Aquarium suggests 1 " per 2 gallons.

Here's what I have so far in my 120 FOWLR:

2 clowns = 4"
1 YT = 2.5"
1 BHT = 3"
1 Foxface = 1.5
---------------------
Total 11"

I was thinking maybe a Purple Tang and then ending with a Flame Angel.

Appreciate your input.

Spin

Kohan Bros. · 08-06-2006, 08:40 PM

personally id never let a rule decide what fish to get and what not to get. the rule changes fish to fish depending on a lot of differant elements that can not be measured. also something not sure about smaller fish but i know when working with some lager fish look at the foot print of the tank or area(length x width) for instance tangs need more swimming area inturn a larger footprint. not sure what a BHT is but id only go with one tang, other then that i think your list is good you problly have room for the flame angel if you want it

**melosu58** · 08-06-2006, 10:15 PM

I never go by any rule either. I take into consideration the occupantsand their cause

courtneyclv · 08-14-2006, 07:22 PM

Plus...if you have 120 lbs of live rock, won't that take up about 50 percent of the tanks space. I am assuming that when they say 1 inch per 5 gallons or whatever, that is the amount of water without all of the aquascaping?

**roka64** · 08-15-2006, 10:51 AM

Quote:

I am assuming that when they say 1 inch per 5 gallons or whatever, that is the amount of water without all of the aquascaping?

Yes.

Quote:

not sure what a BHT

Blue Hippo Tang? Right?

I agree with the rest. There is a "rule" but, as stated before, it depends on your inhabitants and their needs.

spinman · 08-15-2006, 12:47 PM

All I know is, sometimes when you look at my tank, you'd think it had no fish in it!!
It seems so empty with the five fish I have.

In any event, my new plans are to get 2 B XW Henis which are active swimmers. After that, go with the PT and FA.

Spin

08-06-2006, 05:20 PM	#1
spinman Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cherry Hill New Jersey Posts: 238	How many inches per gallon is the consnesus? Wondering what you all consider as being the number of fish for a given tank. It seems the general rule was 1" of fish per 5 gallons, but Paletta's book, The New Marine Aquarium suggests 1 " per 2 gallons. Here's what I have so far in my 120 FOWLR: 2 clowns = 4" 1 YT = 2.5" 1 BHT = 3" 1 Foxface = 1.5 --------------------- Total 11" I was thinking maybe a Purple Tang and then ending with a Flame Angel. Appreciate your input. Spin __________________ 120 g [acronym="Fish only with live rock"]FOWLR[/acronym], Pro Clear 200 19 [acronym="Gallon"]gal[/acronym]. sump (bio balls removed), 50# Walt Smith FiJi [acronym="Live rock"]LR[/acronym], 150# reefersrock base, 300# [acronym="Deep Sand Bed"]DSB[/acronym], Iwaki MD 20 return, (2) Rio 600s, (2) Hagen 802s, Amiracle Quad II skimmer, (2) Coralife 4 X 65s, 2 Lebo moonlights, (2) 120 mm vent. fans, (2) Perc. Clowns, (1) Yellow Tang, (1) cleaner shrimp, (2) Henis, pending: Foxace Lo, Flame Angel, blue legs, scarlets, 4 emerald crabs, nassarius snails, 50 mexican turbos, (1) good bankruptcy attorney when this hobby blows out of control!

08-06-2006, 08:40 PM	#2
Kohan Bros. Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Erie, PA Posts: 248	personally id never let a rule decide what fish to get and what not to get. the rule changes fish to fish depending on a lot of differant elements that can not be measured. also something not sure about smaller fish but i know when working with some lager fish look at the foot print of the tank or area(length x width) for instance tangs need more swimming area inturn a larger footprint. not sure what a BHT is but id only go with one tang, other then that i think your list is good you problly have room for the flame angel if you want it __________________ I love the Grateful dead

08-15-2006, 12:47 PM	#6
spinman Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cherry Hill New Jersey Posts: 238	All I know is, sometimes when you look at my tank, you'd think it had no fish in it!! It seems so empty with the five fish I have. In any event, my new plans are to get 2 B XW Henis which are active swimmers. After that, go with the PT and FA. Spin __________________ 120 g [acronym="Fish only with live rock"]FOWLR[/acronym], Pro Clear 200 19 [acronym="Gallon"]gal[/acronym]. sump (bio balls removed), 50# Walt Smith FiJi [acronym="Live rock"]LR[/acronym], 150# reefersrock base, 300# [acronym="Deep Sand Bed"]DSB[/acronym], Iwaki MD 20 return, (2) Rio 600s, (2) Hagen 802s, Amiracle Quad II skimmer, (2) Coralife 4 X 65s, 2 Lebo moonlights, (2) 120 mm vent. fans, (2) Perc. Clowns, (1) Yellow Tang, (1) cleaner shrimp, (2) Henis, pending: Foxace Lo, Flame Angel, blue legs, scarlets, 4 emerald crabs, nassarius snails, 50 mexican turbos, (1) good bankruptcy attorney when this hobby blows out of control!

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08-14-2006, 07:22 PM	#4
courtneyclv Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 174	Plus...if you have 120 lbs of live rock, won't that take up about 50 percent of the tanks space. I am assuming that when they say 1 inch per 5 gallons or whatever, that is the amount of water without all of the aquascaping?