Mebbid
Aquarium Advice Addict
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.
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.