How Much Livestock??

I have a 90 gallon AGA, according to the 3Reef calculator I can have 23.655" of fish. Now heres the question, is that fish lenght, or does that include my crabs, snails, etc. ? Thanks

 

I wasn't the one who invented this little equation but I would imagine they are just meaning fish. Little inverts don't usually add much to your bio-load, IMO they help it by eating some of the fish waste. But I am a "newb" so someone with more experience will either confirm or deny.

 

Remember that those calculations are usually based on the length of the full grown fish, not on their current size when added. I wouldn't add any inverts to those calculations.

Best thing to do is post a list of what you're thinking of and we can check it out and give you advice on what would be a good stock for your tank.

It's much easier to add fish than catch them once they're in there yknow.

 

Very true!

 

Also very true!

 

That actually sounds like a pretty good estimate. Keep in mind it is only a general guideline I believe it is referring only to fish.

For overall stock levels you need to keep oxygen levels in mind, swimming room at the fish's adult size, what their natural behavior is (a sedentary fish will do better in a smaller tank than a fish that swims constantly or in big bursts of straight line speed), how much food they consume/how much waste they produce, as well as any aggression or territoriality conflicts. That's my basic list anyway.

Inverts can add to your bioload if you need to feed them extra in order to keep them alive. Most hermits/cleaner snails etc don't add to your bioload.

 

Right now I have three clowns and one lawn mower blenny

 

I would over time like to add 6 line, a yellow tang and a snowflake eel

 

You might have issues with 3 clowns. 2 of them will likely pair up eventually and may harass the third.
Also be careful with lawnmower blennies. Make sure it has plenty of algae to eat in the tank, lots of them starve over the course of a few months if the tank isn't well established enough or is too clean. Make sure he's fat and happy.

 

IMO yellow tangs (and all Zebrasoma genus tangs) get too big for a 4' tank. They are very active fish and swim a lot. This is just my opinion but the only tang I would put in a 90g would be the smaller Ctenochaetus tangs, they aren't quite as active, some stay smaller and they spend more time picking at the rocks etc so they don't need quite as much swimming room.

I'm not a fan of 6 lines, I've heard too many stories of them becoming bullies eventually. You can take a chance with them, lots of people do and all fish are individuals so you might get a nice one or have a stock list that works out for your particular fish.

I have no info on an eel. I'm not a fan of them in general so I can't help you there.

JMO, and good luck!