One inch of fish per 5 gallons ?

I have been following this rule of thumb for years, and it seems to me that with the advancement of technologies, that we may be able to change it to 2-3 inches of fish per every five gallons. Any thoughts on this ?

 

As of now, the rule I have always heard is one inch for every three gallons.
Technology will not really affect this rule. The rule is based on the available oxygen in the water column. There is no technology yet that we use to change the basic properties of slat water Fresh water is able to hold more oxygen, which is why a freshy system can support a heavier bioload.

 

Now, do this rule take in effect sumps and fuges? So if i have a 180 gallon tank, 65 gallon sump and 100 gallon fuge, for a total of around 345 gallon so lets say 295 actual water volume. Now, do i go by 295 or 180?

 

Opinion

The advancement in technology from the days that certain guidelines where issued
includes things like sumps and refugiums, which increase the volume of water in the system and thus also the available oxygen
also increased efficiencies of skimmers contribute to the overall improvement in water quality and the fact that in some areas chillers are now considered essentials rather than luxury add ons (more oxgyen is available in cooler water)


all these thing do result in the guidelines being challenged to a degree

always best to stock on the side of caution though IMO as a tank stocked to its potential capacity is going to hit trouble quicker than an understocked tank during a power outage for example

and for new comers - I believe the guidelines have as much relevence now as they did when they where created

people who have had a tank set up for a couple of years, will be in a much better position to understand their tanks/ systems capacity to support life than people who are setting up tanks at present - for those people I would always suggest they cut their teeth observing the established guidelines / principles

Just my 2 rmb worth.

Steve

 

In terms of stocking capacity - I would use 295
In terms of available swimming space, which as we know needs vary between species I would consider 180 for stocking with active swimmers like tangs etc - but if I was keeping smaller, less active fish, then I would still consider the 295 to be valid

Steve

 

i would say that depends if you are talking about swimming room or filtration potential. strictly from a bio-load perspective, i would then say it depends on your risk tolerance (in case of pump failure and the DT is separated from the rest of the system).

solid point though.

 

i was more talking about the oxygen not so much swimming space. I know that for swimming space its still gonna be 6 feet and 180 gallons. But as far as the inch rule i was thinking 295ish gallons

 

1" per 3 gallons has always worked out for me for some reason. 1" per 5 would leave my 6' 125 gallon tank fully stocked with 2 medium sized tangs and 5 chromis . . . that just cant be right.

~Will.

 

yea i agree with ya will, 1 inch per 5 didnt seem right either

 

What about technology that replenished the oxygen level in the water? Skimmers and such.