Reefer 450 Stocking - Trouble determining maximum amount

[eddius_maximus]

I've been digging through old R2R Reefer 450 stocking threads but haven't found a general consensus on an appropriate stocking level. My fish list is below. My phosphates sit at around 0.015 - 0.02. My nitrates are < 5. I feed these guys with my homemade grocery store concoction twice a day and I feed *heavy*. I have nori on clips around the clock. Algae is a non-issue and my chaeto loves the bioload. My skimmer is oversized.

- (2) tiny Clownfish
- Convict Tang
- Foxface
- Melanurus Wrasse
- Spiny Box Puffer (the best fish on the planet, by the way)
- Neon Goby
- Lamarck's Angelfish
- Starry Blenny
- Royal Gramma
- Firefish
- Cardinalfish.

I'd love to add a fish or two but this *feels* fully/overstocked to me. Would love y'alls input. Reefer 450s are around 120 gallons between display/sump.

Not sure if relevant but my tank thread is here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hello-from-austin-tx.436297/

 

[BestMomEver]

Some say you need about 3 gallons per inch of fish. So if you have 120 gallons then you can have 30 inches of fish.
Clowns x2 = 6
Convict tang 8
Foxface 8
Wrasse 4.5
Puffer 10
Goby 2
Angel 9
Blenny 5
Gramma 3
Firefish 3
Cardinal 3.5

Total about 62. I think you’re ok where you are. I typically take an inch away from the more sedentary fish like the Blenny and add an inch to the fast movers like the tang or angel. Even then, you’re pretty much maxed out. You’ll find many people allow 5 gallons per inch of fish. I would consider that a light load. Any less than 3 gallons per inch, I consider a heavy load. A lot also depends on how much you feed, how often you do water changes, parameters, how long the tank has been up, etc.

Anyway, that’s how I see it. I’m sure others will pipe in!

 

[eatbreakfast]

Each tank/system is different. If your nutrients are under control and your inhabitants get along, you are fine to add fish within reason.

 

[408Dartfish]

Looking at your fish stock list looks pretty good. Maybe I’d add a diamond goby sand sifter. Maybe a randalls or gold assessor. I’m always looking to add more fish to my DT as long as everybody gets along. Dustin

 

[eddius_maximus]

Thanks for the help and input guys.

 

[jp_75]

i have red sea xl 425. my stocking so far:
3 chalk basslets
sailfin blenny
mc cosker wrasse
flame wrasse
longnose hawkfish
springeri damsel
purple firefish
planning to add few more.

 

[Mordie101]

i have red sea xl 425. my stocking so far:
3 chalk basslets
sailfin blenny
mc cosker wrasse
flame wrasse
longnose hawkfish
springeri damsel
purple firefish
planning to add few more.

Have to got a build thread?

 

[Mordie101]

I love that list but I’m new to the hobby. Thinking about getting a 450xl or a 525xl in a year or so. Following for ideas!!

 

[jp_75]

no build thread,sorry.

 

[James M]

3 Chromis ?