1 inch per gallon? Bullcrap.

[chas10]

I heard goldfish die easily. But what I'm trying to accomplish is letting people know they can add a little more. I don't want people thinking, hey I can only add
a little guppy in 3 gallons. And I already have a 1 gallon, soon to upgrade to a 5 gallon.

You don't need to give anyone this garbage advice. The 1" per gallon rule is bull because they need a lot MORE space than that. You shouldnt put ANY fish in a one gallon. I have a 36 gallon with 6 1" fish! I feel sorry for your poor fish.

 

[ddodad]

I agree with what is being said but please can people be a little respectful he is a kid and is learning. We should try and educate him on proper care not berate him for a mistake I'm sure more then one of us has made in the past

 

[bud29]

So I have come to the conclusion that OP thinks he can actually have more than 1" of fish per gallon of water. What led you to this belief might I ask? Was it the fact that you managed to keep a goldfish alive for 2 whole weeks?

You CAN keep more than 1" of fish per gallon - the rule IS bad. Not that you can go stock-happy now, (for instance putting a goldfish in a bowl) but there are many more factors to consider when stocking other than just size. You need to consider dwelling level, activity level, bioload, aggression, etc. By logic of in/gal, you could keep a 29" fish in a 29 gallon. A 29 gallon is only 30" long though, so that is giving the fish only 1" of horizontal swimming space. On the other end of the spectrum, if you have 29 celestial pearl danios in a 29 gallon, you probably could add something on the bottom level, such as cory catfish.

The best advice? Pretend like you've never heard this "rule," and start with a fresh mindset. aqadvisor.com is an online stocking calculator that can be quite helpful if you don't know where to start. Don't take everything on there to be gospel, but it is much better than inch/gallon.

 

[Aquatic_Adam]

You CAN keep more than 1" of fish per gallon - the rule IS bad. Not that you can go stock-happy now, (for instance putting a goldfish in a bowl) but there are many more factors to consider when stocking other than just size. You need to consider dwelling level, activity level, bioload, aggression, etc. By logic of in/gal, you could keep a 29" fish in a 29 gallon. A 29 gallon is only 30" long though, so that is giving the fish only 1" of horizontal swimming space. On the other end of the spectrum, if you have 29 celestial pearl danios in a 29 gallon, you probably could add something on the bottom level, such as cory catfish.

The best advice? Pretend like you've never heard this "rule," and start with a fresh mindset. aqadvisor.com is an online stocking calculator that can be quite helpful if you don't know where to start. Don't take everything on there to be gospel, but it is much better than inch/gallon.

Very well put Dino. I was just getting on to make those points

 

[bud29]

Very well put Dino. I was just getting on to make those points

Thank you - even though I'm not dino

 

[Aquatic_Adam]

Thank you - even though I'm not dino

...sometimes I amaze myself with my stupidity.

 

[bud29]

...sometimes I amaze myself with my stupidity.

that's fine - I've done more stupid things on here than calling someone the wrong name

 

[Mudfrog]

I'm one of those guys who believe you can overstock a tank quite a bit if you have enough filtration and water changes.

 

[Oscar98]

I'm one of those guys who believe you can overstock a tank quite a bit if you have enough filtration and water changes.

I agree %100 but only if the tank is 55+ gallons

 

[chas10]

But not in a 1 gallon or a 5 gallon like OP is saying is okay. There are way to many factors than to just tell someone they can put more than recommended in their tank.

 

[patrickriley2010]

I'm one of those guys who believe you can overstock a tank quite a bit if you have enough filtration and water changes.

Ya but not a 1 gal

 

[patrickriley2010]

I agree %100 but only if the tank is 55+ gallons

I mean I'm going to push my 20 to its limit excluding ghost shrimp.

I have a bio wheel 150 and a fluval c3

 

[Mudfrog]

Yes, not a 1 gallon. I'd say anything over a 75g would be safe. Although I have ran an AC110 on an overstocked 10g before

 

[fishfan88]

I had a goldfish last 2 and 1/2 weeks in a 1 gallon NO filter or ANYTHING but food. And right now I have a platy in a 1 gallon PERFECTLY thriving. But his buddy died recently. But the platy has a filter and 2 plants and gravel. The goldfish had nothing. Well except another goldfish that died in 3 or 4 days.

So can someone explain to me why I should believe "1 inch per gallon"

P.S. my platy is fully grown.

A platy should have a bigger tank then that. Even with water changes every day, you still have to consider room to swim around and, for most fish that small, they usually need the company of at least one more fish.

 

[fishfan88]

Ya but not a 1 gal

Totally agree.

 

[chas10]

A platy should have a bigger tank then that. Even with water changes every day, you still have to consider room to swim around and, for most fish that small, they usually need the company of at least one more fish.

Platys love the company of other fish. I had 4 & they swam together everywhere & would check out the new fish they're very curious & love exploring new things. They also poop a LOT I don't think I ever caught mine without poop hanging out lol & the only other fish of mine ive ever seen poop is my oscar.

 

[bud29]

I'm one of those guys who believe you can overstock a tank quite a bit if you have enough filtration and water changes.

I agree, to a point. The deciding factor would have to be space. You can go slightly overboard with bioload as long as you have good filtration and can keep nitrates at a manageable level with a realistic maintenance schedule. However, over-filtration will not make more room in the tank. And as stated previously there are other things to account for as well. Stocking the tank with fish that all inhabit the same region of the aquarium is not a good idea. To maximize stocking potential you need to pick inhabitants that will dwell in different parts of the tank.

In the end, the two MAIN things to account for are space and filtration - and having lots of one will not make up for the lack of the other.

 

[fishfan88]

I agree, to a point. The deciding factor would have to be space. You can go slightly overboard with bioload as long as you have good filtration and can keep nitrates at a manageable level with a realistic maintenance schedule. However, over-filtration will not make more room in the tank. And as stated previously there are other things to account for as well. Stocking the tank with fish that all inhabit the same region of the aquarium is not a good idea. To maximize stocking potential you need to pick inhabitants that will dwell in different parts of the tank.

In the end, the two MAIN things to account for are space and filtration - and having lots of one will not make up for the lack of the other.

Yes! Thank you. Lol nicely put

 

[Mudfrog]

I agree, to a point. The deciding factor would have to be space. You can go slightly overboard with bioload as long as you have good filtration and can keep nitrates at a manageable level with a realistic maintenance schedule. However, over-filtration will not make more room in the tank. And as stated previously there are other things to account for as well. Stocking the tank with fish that all inhabit the same region of the aquarium is not a good idea. To maximize stocking potential you need to pick inhabitants that will dwell in different parts of the tank.

In the end, the two MAIN things to account for are space and filtration - and having lots of one will not make up for the lack of the other.

I completely agree.. I'm just not a fan of typing long posts, I knew someone would elaborate

 

[Oscar98]

I completely agree.. I'm just not a fan of typing long posts, I knew someone would elaborate

Ii knew i wasnt the only one lmao