Bioload Vs Inches Per Gallon Theory...

So After reading up lately as still new as I feel to this hobby, Ive read some conflict on the Biolod setup per tank and the Inches Per Gallon Theories that are out there.

Inches per gallon I read around 1inch per 3gallons and 1 inch per 5 gallons for stocking. However Ive read as well that the Inches theory is out of date per say and its more so dependant on the bioload of the fish, Larger bioload fish such as Tangs, and Angels available in the hobby.

I just wanted to know what everyone here at 3reef thought and also in everyones experience what are the other "higher" bioload fish.

 

i kinda think the inch per gallon cant apply to saltwater at all really. its all about a "territory" that each fish require to keep them sane, plus compatibilty issues obviously

filtratrion is so effecient (or at least can be) i would think almost any tank could be built to handle a bioload.


but dont listen to me i have a clown tang in a 55. (i know......its even going to get to aggressive for the 90 its going into this weekend)

 

Forgot to add about space as well for the size of the animal obviously. I guess everything seems so mixed up. Ive seen heavier stocked tanks then mine with about the same equiptment doing great. with larger fish as well.

This hobby just seems to puzzle me on a daily basis, always changing. I like it.

 

I go by bioload vs my filtration capabilities. i then multiply the max length of the fish by 8 and if my tank is that long I feel it will be fine in my tank. I also counter in territoriality.

 

I think that it is one of those "rule of thumb" sort of things, for salt and fresh water Fish Only tanks... One of the reasons for running FOWLR systems and reef systems with multiple points of filtration is that you can have much larger 'bioloads'. A reef tank can have so many corals in it that it wouldn't even be close to an "inch per gallon" ratio...

In fact, for most of us, we are all about maximising the bioload our tanks can handle.

This doesn't mean there isn't such a thing as an overstocked reef tank. Fish can easily run out of room if they are too big or the wrong type for a certain size tank. Aggressiveness and territoriality are important considerations.

If you have questions about stocking certain fish/ inverts, then the best thing to do is ask... and don't forget to mention tank size, filtration, intentions (reef or FO), etc.

 

Im not so much worried bout my tanks, I run oversized skimmers, The fish all have their territory, Been told numours times Im overstocked, But all seems well. Levels are almost perfect, except for my darn PH cant get it to go past 8.1 :|

I guess Im just looking for input on peoples Ideas and such more so. Gathering more knowledge for future and helping people.

 

Well, I am a pisces, and I eat a lot and therefore poop a lot. I am high bioload I guess.

 

LOL.... That made my day! +K LOL

 

That might be because your large number of fish are consuming oxygen and expiring CO2 at a high rate! So, it seems that maybe stocking rates do apply to you, and you need a higher amount of dissolved oxygen to keep those fish!

 

gabba could be onto something there.

Try adding kalkwasser to your top off water. See if that increases PH. It should, but if it doesn't you might have a DO issue.

Or you could use your tank as a toilet to test that theory in reverse. LOL