Am I Overstocked?

[ibob991]

Hello everyone,

I am trying to determine if my tank is over stocked or under stocked. I currently have a reefer 350 (73g display with a 18g sump).

Stock List:
1 Bristletooth tang
1 Coral Beauty Dwarf Angel
2 Clowns
2 Firefish
1 Banggai Cardnial
1 Six line wrasse
1 Melanurus Wrasse
1 One Spot Foxface

 

[DSC reef]

IMO, you're fully stocked.

 

[Kremis]

looks good

 

[ibob991]

IMO, you're fully stocked.

looks good

Thanks!

 

[Swoody]

I agree... right where you want to be.

 

[ca1ore]

Are your nutrient levels under control; do you have an open or closed aquascape? Given your answers, you could be overstocked or understocked .... or just right.

 

[Jesterrace]

I would say slightly overstocked. That Foxface is going to be cramped as it gets bigger and that 6 line can turn into an unholy terror as it matures.

 

[4FordFamily]

Fully stocked and I agree regarding the foxface overgrowing the tank, I agree.

You’ll need to rehome it in a year or two.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

If you are having problems keeping nitrate and phosphate levels from rising or are having stress/aggression issues among your fish, you are overstocked.

If you are not encountering these problems, you are not likely overstocked.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Can we get a picture of the tank? I just want to see how other people's tanks looked when they are stocked.

 

[Ento-Reefer]

For me I would say slightly overstocked. I would drop the fox face and six line.

 

[ibob991]

Are your nutrient levels under control; do you have an open or closed aquascape? Given your answers, you could be overstocked or understocked .... or just right.

The tank saw some neglect and I am in the process of restoring it, so nutrients are up in the air until i get the nitrate down to where it should be. Aquascape is more open then closed,

I would say slightly overstocked. That Foxface is going to be cramped as it gets bigger and that 6 line can turn into an unholy terror as it matures.

I have had the six line for almost 3 years, when do they mature and turn into terrors?

Fully stocked and I agree regarding the foxface overgrowing the tank, I agree.
You’ll need to rehome it in a year or two.

This is unfortunate, but rest assured I wouldn't want my buddy to suffer .

If you are having problems keeping nitrate and phosphate levels from rising or are having stress/aggression issues among your fish, you are overstocked.
If you are not encountering these problems, you are not likely overstocked.

Cant really speak to the levels, as the tank was neglected for a time and I am currently restoring it. I don't have any aggression issues that I have observed, and I can't speak to signs of stress as I am not well versed in that.

Can we get a picture of the tank? I just want to see how other people's tanks looked when they are stocked.

I can post a pic soon, but unless it's feeding time you won't see half the tank (angel, foxface, tang) as they tend to stay and swim behind the rockwork.

 

[ca1ore]

IMO/IME, proper stocking is a function of nutrient control and swimming space. If you struggle to maintain nitrates and phosphates at low levels then your fish load is too high. Either increase nutrient export or reduce input. If the tank is stuffed with rock, you’ll be able to keep less fish. I happen to be on the high end when it comes to stocking - most folks tanks I’d judge to be understocked LOL. I’m dealing with some higher than ideal PO4 levels, so may have pushed the fish population a bit too far.

 

[SPR1968]

It looks about right but as already said, it depends a great deal on how your system deals with nutrient export and basically what you have in place to control this, otherwise you’ll have issues.

Obviously the fish need plenty of swimming space as well

I’m probably not the one to ask about being ‘over stocked’, what does that mean! Lol

 

[4FordFamily]

IMO/IME, proper stocking is a function of nutrient control and swimming space. If you struggle to maintain nitrates and phosphates at low levels then your fish load is too high. Either increase nutrient export or reduce input. If the tank is stuffed with rock, you’ll be able to keep less fish. I happen to be on the high end when it comes to stocking - most folks tanks I’d judge to be understocked LOL. I’m dealing with some higher than ideal PO4 levels, so may have pushed the fish population a bit too far.

I concur with all of this. Well-put.

 

[eatbreakfast]

IMO/IME, proper stocking is a function of nutrient control and swimming space. If you struggle to maintain nitrates and phosphates at low levels then your fish load is too high. Either increase nutrient export or reduce input. If the tank is stuffed with rock, you’ll be able to keep less fish. I happen to be on the high end when it comes to stocking - most folks tanks I’d judge to be understocked LOL. I’m dealing with some higher than ideal PO4 levels, so may have pushed the fish population a bit too far.

This 100%