nomadman2003
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I've been reading everything I can get my hands on while trying to mentally build my first tank. Not even really thinking about stocking, just working on making sure I get the right parts or kit to make sure I have a solid habit.
There are many rules-of-thumb that I've come across. I personally do best by understanding why a rule of thumb exists so I can use common sense when applying it. If I list a couple with my thoughts could you chime in with corrections or exceptions, I'd appreciate it.
-----
1"/gallon - seems like a bioload rule mostly but might also be an oxygen (surface area) rule. I understand some pets (like cory catfsh) have higher bioloads and should modify this (0.5"/gal?). Is there a resource outside of asking on the forums to look up if a particular specie has a heavy bioload?
Also, correct me if I'm wrong, bioload is mostly ammonia so will more filtration (larger biofilter) allow bending of the 1"/gallon rule?
-----
10gph filter per 1g of tank size - my LFS had a pamphlet that said 3-5 but ppl seem to go way over that, up to 10gph*#gal, also that gph is the real rating, not the manufactures suggested tank size. I do understand that more filtration doesn't remove the need for weekly PWC and substrate cleanings.
-----
5 watts per gallon - this one I haven't read online, again from pamphlet at LFS. It was also suggested on larger tanks (30g+?) to split the heater in to two heaters at opposing sides. Is this all correct?
-----
Swim areas - Again at my LFS, fish are labeled as bottom, middle, top, seems to me that you'd need a pretty tall tank before those areas existed. Is this true? Is there a good rule for tank height and which levels exist? Smaller tanks (10g-20g) seem like they really should be all middle or top-middle/bottom. Does that seem fair?
-----
1.5lbs of gravel / gal (for 2-3" flooring) - This one isn't as big of a deal, just wondering if it's in the ballpark as I have no idea how much gravel/sand to buy. I'm sure an educated guess will get close enough.
-----
Any others I should be aware of?
I appreciate anyone who takes their time to contribute to helping me.
Robert
There are many rules-of-thumb that I've come across. I personally do best by understanding why a rule of thumb exists so I can use common sense when applying it. If I list a couple with my thoughts could you chime in with corrections or exceptions, I'd appreciate it.
-----
1"/gallon - seems like a bioload rule mostly but might also be an oxygen (surface area) rule. I understand some pets (like cory catfsh) have higher bioloads and should modify this (0.5"/gal?). Is there a resource outside of asking on the forums to look up if a particular specie has a heavy bioload?
Also, correct me if I'm wrong, bioload is mostly ammonia so will more filtration (larger biofilter) allow bending of the 1"/gallon rule?
-----
10gph filter per 1g of tank size - my LFS had a pamphlet that said 3-5 but ppl seem to go way over that, up to 10gph*#gal, also that gph is the real rating, not the manufactures suggested tank size. I do understand that more filtration doesn't remove the need for weekly PWC and substrate cleanings.
-----
5 watts per gallon - this one I haven't read online, again from pamphlet at LFS. It was also suggested on larger tanks (30g+?) to split the heater in to two heaters at opposing sides. Is this all correct?
-----
Swim areas - Again at my LFS, fish are labeled as bottom, middle, top, seems to me that you'd need a pretty tall tank before those areas existed. Is this true? Is there a good rule for tank height and which levels exist? Smaller tanks (10g-20g) seem like they really should be all middle or top-middle/bottom. Does that seem fair?
-----
1.5lbs of gravel / gal (for 2-3" flooring) - This one isn't as big of a deal, just wondering if it's in the ballpark as I have no idea how much gravel/sand to buy. I'm sure an educated guess will get close enough.
-----
Any others I should be aware of?
I appreciate anyone who takes their time to contribute to helping me.
Robert