on stocking

You can do it the old fashion way. If your parameters are off and you get algea alot then you have to much and if it seems to easy and you like to clean alot then get more. I have never kept track of inches. I dont know all my powerhead ratings and my gph flow. I simply test and observe.

 

I think that people should be aware of the differences between two types of effects caused by overstocking. Both require two separate averages in my opinion.

The first average being the level of stress caused from little room for movement in crowded tanks. This average would be a function of the types of fish an aquarist has and the individual personalities of each species he/she keeps. For example a tank with 10 gobies wouldnt have the same stress effect as 10 tangs in the same volume of water.

The second average would be a bioload from the fish. Like mentioned above, difference fish carry different bioloads. However, a bioload is a bioload and the only accurate way in my opinion to judge its balance to your filtration system is to slowly stock the tank and watch the effects on your water parameters. Though many of us dont really follow this rule, its still the most effective way to monitor what inch per gallon your tank can handle.

In conclusion there is probably a average range that could be established for a tank, but in my opinion, there will never be an exact number. Many other factors come into play like lighting, filtration, current, the number of hiding places, and the fish to-reef relationship. All of these things play a roll in either or both of the two above averages I mentioned above.

Jusy chiming in with my opinion. Doesnt mean its right though....

 

Also, to add, a clean up crew has a large part in determining the limits of a tank...

 

I follow my gut when it comes to fish bioload. One thing that helps me out is I'm diligent on filtration. I change my floss daily without fail. You can see by my signature I have a lot of stock. Probably too many fish for my tank. I also have a lot of live rock for hiding places. I know I will have to monitor things as the fish get bigger but for now all is going fairly well.

 

Its definitely not an objective thing, stocking. The only thing I think the IOF/G rule is good for is to give as a guideline to new hobbyists just to help get off on the right foot. There is some validity there, but IMO also a lot of flaws with the rule.

 

I wholeheartedly agree because there are differences in bioload for individual fishes. A four inch trigger fish, angel or tang is going to have a lot larger bioload than a four inch firefish. I would think?

 

I think its safe to say were on the same page here. For example I have about 4 inches of nano gobies (two clown gobies and a green band). They together don't produce half as much waste or use half as much oxygen as my 4 inch yellow tang IMO. I could probably put 30 clown gobies in my tank (hypothetically speaking of course. Nobody should ever actually do that because they'd kill each other...) and my parameters would be fine even though I'd have 30-40 inches of fish in a 90- about 50% more than the 3reef calculator suggests I should have.

 

My opinion on this is based on the one and only SW tank I've ever had... so take it with a grain

Or multiple gobies, in the other direction. I agree it's an average because (generally, as far as the rule is concerned) people don't stock up on one type of fish... like OP has done.

I agree with this.

I think this, in a way, mirrors what reefer bob said. Though it's more to the point. I agree with it though.


Watch your params. My nitrates are 0. If I keep adding fish and I start to notice an uptick that won't go down... do I add some sort of chemical nitrate remover? Add chaeto/sump? (pick your nitrate removal method) Or do i stop adding fish? For me, the answer is stop adding fish and remove at least one. That's the easiest answer, IMO. Simple answers are best from my POV.

The more intervention required on my part, the more I'm asking for trouble.

See my sig for my fishy friends - I'm of the mind my gobie and blenny count, together, as maybe 2 inches when I'm following "the rule". I just added the wrasse.

 

I think reefer bob's way is probably the best and most accurate way to gauge it.