Change the rules..

I like the 1" of fish per 3 gallon rule as long as the filtration / skimming and maintenance is there to support it . . . but that's just me.

~Will.

 

Well said Steve. Good points everyone.

I know that many of us thought we knew more than we did and got in over our heads. Heck, some experienced hobbyists still do!
That's why although it can be done successfully, I don't like to suggest it to newcomers because then we have silly things that happen like....oh....Lionfish in 11 1/5 gallon tanks going blind?:

 

LOL.. no comment on that one!

 

i think it's a bit too one sided a question...

when you ask this, how much live rock does one have? 1 to 2 lb per gallon? Or just stacked to the brim, no idea how much it weighs?

how is the rock laid out? safe haven caves or an imposing wall? and how does that setup relate to the fish you happen to have natural habitat?

the old skimmerless with wet/dry bioball method?

or with a modern skimmer, no wet/dry?

how often are you doing water changes? every week? or ~3 times a year like me, or maybe once a year like some others?

lots of folks use a blend of old and new technologies and techniques.

when talking about 'rules of thumb' like the stocking of fish... i agree the 'inch per x gallon' and its derivatives seem arbitrary, but it works out on average... it's that last bit that gets through the crack though... nobody's tank is average or run-o-the-mill (unless it's a nemo tank )... you aren't a sample group.

so i'm interested if anyone has a new and concise "rule of thumb" that is a bit more useful than "it depends on the fish"... ya know what i mean?

let's replace the rule, fine, but gimme something short and simple. E=MC^2 sort of simple

 

I think it depends on the person and the tank. For example i have a 180 with a 65 gallon sump, 100 gallon rubber maid fuge and 75 gallon fuge in one system with a top of line skimmer. Now, i plan on keeping around 30 fish in my 180 which only has about 150-180 pounds of live rock. Ik i can make it work, but for someone whos just getting into the hobby with a regular 180 and average equipment, now 30 fish could be a very bad thing.

 

Its a possibility if you don't proceed with diligent care and have proper experience and knowledge to do so.
I'm not saying its impossible, or that you are incapable. I just like the "Test the waters with one toe" approach. Get a fish you really like. Make sure you love your tank the way it is and if you think you want an upgrade, stick with the few livestock you have for a few months, think it over carefully and when you feel ready and financially able to do what you want, go for it. If you believe you are skilled enough to have a tank that is....very well stocked lets say....then try it out by adding another critter, wait a couple of months, and add another.

 

Im with the thread starter i think alot of rules are old and need to be updated BUT updated with a star to say if you have the experience

 

Hi Peredhil

the very fact that you can analyse/ consider these aspects , to me means your already beyond the need to concern yourself with general principles

but for the poster who comes on the site and asks
"whats a cycle"
"whats the brown dust and why wont it go away"
"Whats that purple stuff on peoples rocks"

well for those people, general principles are as valid now as they where years ago IMO

Steve

 

to me, this sums up the entire point of this or any other rule-of-thumb.

so congrats, if you feel this rule is outdated, you have survived noobyism ;D

nice post steve

 

too fast for me steve! I agree.