Number of fish

Discussion in 'Tropical Fish' started by 2manycars, Jul 29, 2013.

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  1. 2manycars

    2manycars Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2013
    Messages:
    46
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    No doubt this has been asked ad-Nauseum but I'm new here

    I currently have a 56 gallon with...

    2 clow
    2 gobies
    A coral beauty
    A yellow tang
    A cleaner shrimp
    A bubble anemone

    I going to a 90 and eventually would like to have or setup as a reef. Is there a general rule regarding number of fish etc.

    I started my tank 7 months ago and the fish seem to be doing ok. I on the other hand have been going crazy trying to keep the nitrates down-they are at 20 or so as well as keeping the skimmer from going wild
     
    2manycars, Jul 29, 2013
    2manycars, Jul 29, 2013
    #1

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  2. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    Location:
    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    I am not going to lie you will probably get less than favorable reviews for the tang in that size of tank, upgrading will help for sure.

    As far as the nitrates go 20 is really not that bad as long as you're not keeping sensitive stony corals, I personally would not sweat that value.

    Types of fish is more important then # of fish per gallon or tank. Tangs for example in the wild cover a great deal of area in the wild foraging for food and picking at the rocks and reef hence the reason larger tanks should be considered. Clowns stay relatively close to their host anemone, they are not big explores or swimmers. Gobies do not wander far either where an Angel is a cruiser.

    I would say your stocking is pretty good just the way it is, more room for corals.
     
    Corailline, Jul 29, 2013
    Corailline, Jul 29, 2013
    #2
  3. CBSurfrider

    CBSurfrider Millepora

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2013
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    915
    Location:
    Indialantic, Fl.
    Your Yellow Tang will outrun the 90gal as well.. I had one as a baby and she out grew my 56gal within a year. I'm thinking of stepping up to a 90gal as well. IMO it seems like alot of work for a little gain. I was thinking of going up to a 120gal.
     
    CBSurfrider, Jul 30, 2013
    CBSurfrider, Jul 30, 2013
    #3
  4. Swisswiss

    Swisswiss Caribbean Reef Squid

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    the bio-load depends a lot on your filtration system(s) however if you plan in keep sps corals i suggest you keep a light bio-load in your 90g, this will avoid the rapid buildup of N03 the sps nemesis
     
    Swisswiss, Jul 30, 2013
    Swisswiss, Jul 30, 2013
    #4
  5. FatBastad

    FatBastad Zoanthid

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2012
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    1,133
    Location:
    MA
    a 55, 90 and a 120 are all 4 feet...

    I disagree and believe a 90 has a nicer dimensions than a 55, it would be a nice upgrade. A 90 is no 120 but...

    Sounds like TooManyCars already needs a new skimmer.
    I'll recommend the SCA-302. For the money, it'll be the best performing skimmer if money is of concern when you bump to a 90 gal.

    just my 2 cents
     
    FatBastad, Jul 30, 2013
    FatBastad, Jul 30, 2013
    #5