Fish stocking guidelines?

[Mebbid]

So I have been trying to wrap my head around some feasible way to figure out reasonable stocking levels on a tank and have heard a few different thoughts thrown out there as to how proper stocking is done.

1. Stock fish based on display volume not system volume
2. 1 inch of fish per 10 gallons (seems outrageously understocked to me)
3. 1 inch of fish per 5 gallons
4. 1 fish per 10 gallons

I can see where stocking based on the display has merits but with a tank full of peaceful fish I don't see why that couldn't be a guideline that is looked over.

As for the stocking level I had 2 ocellaris clowns and a firefish in a 20g w/ 10g refugium and never had any issues with rising nitrates except for when my grape caulerpa wasn't getting enough light. Even with the 1 inch of fish per 5 gallon rule that would have put me at approximately a 35 gallon tank needed to keep them in.

So what I want to know is what guidelines you guys follow with stocking your tanks.

 

[cgthebeast]

That 1 inch per gallon rule is crazy. I use common sense and research. You could easily had a yasha, yellow watchman, or a neon goby and be fine. It matters on bioload, filtration and current stock and the final size of fish. Just do your research and you'll be fine

 

[bettaowner]

I also research my fish rather than using inch per gallon guidlines.