Stocking density

The Bungulo · Sep 21, 2017

Im going to get my first reef tank, and I need to know the stocking density. Ive seen some places say 1in:4gal, and i swear ive seen petsmart even say 1in:10gal. i really think its 1in:2gal. Should I include sump volume in the Stocking density? Also, should i only count fish, or inverts and coral?

Bouncingsoul39 · Sep 22, 2017

The inch per gallon rule doesn't really work because it doesn't take into account the mass of the fish. When we are counting bio-load, inverts and coral are not included. With that said, you may consider stocking at something close to 1in of small fish per 5 gallons but there is no set in stone rule. In my 50 gallon I've got one 2 in. Royal Gramma, one 2 inch Swales Swissguard Basslet, one 2 in. Lyretail Anthias, one 2 inch Bangaii Cardinal. I will probably add 1-2 more small fish. Just an example. Welcome to the hobby and good luck.

trevormass7 · Sep 22, 2017

Honestly some tanks never fit the math, add fish very slowly and check your parameters, that's the only way you really know

nautical_nathaniel · Sep 22, 2017

I'll echo what the others have said and also add that every fish is different in terms of bio load. My longnose hawkfish will be a long fish but makes very little mess when compared to my shorter ocellaris clownfish, so it's hard to come up with a one size fits all rule about fish size versus tank size. It also depends on how active the fish are. Some fish like tangs are super active and need a big tank to swim around in whereas my little longnose hawkfish only sits in one spot most of the day and just watches things going on around him.

Just research fish extensively before you add them and you'll do great! Welcome to R2R and the hobby!

spiraling · Sep 22, 2017

Also take into account that some fish are very territorial and won't let others into the space. The amount you can have in saltwater IMO depends on which ones you get, how territorial they are, and how many hiding spaces you supply. A sump will help with the bioload, but it wont help with territories. for instance a 80 gallon display will house more fish than a 30 gallon display with a 50 gallon sump. Sumps are really nice to have for other reasons though.

Bouncingsoul39 said:
you may consider stocking at something close to 1in of small fish per 5 gallons but there is no set in stone rule.

That's about what I had in my 35 gallon. 2 clowns (2" each) and a goby (3"). Another fish might or might not have worked depending on the species.

The Bungulo · Sep 22, 2017

Im planning to get a Red Sea Reefer, its 88 gallon plus a 20-something gallon sump. Im thinking about getting 3 Cardinals, a gramma Basslet, a blue tang, two clowns, a neon goby, and a six-line wrasse. I might change a few thing depending on my research or what you guys say.

The Bungulo · Sep 22, 2017

My rockwork design will include plenty of niches and caves. I really want to do a central island, but i have to include plenty of swimming space for the tang. Should i do something like a tower on each side with a bridge with shelf rock? Not sure what to do.

Hitman · Sep 22, 2017

I have 6 clowns, 1 yellow Wrasse. 1 sailfin tang, 1 Diamond Goby, and 1 Purple Back Pseudochromis in my 55 with a 40 gallon sump and my levels are actually to low that it effected my Leather corals. My SPS love it but not my softies. Like everyone else has stated it’s all depends on what kind of fish, how much you over feed ( clowns are little liars they act like you starve them ) flow, filtration, etc.

Hitman · Sep 22, 2017

The Bungulo said:
My rockwork design will include plenty of niches and caves. I really want to do a central island, but i have to include plenty of swimming space for the tang. Should i do something like a tower on each side with a bridge with shelf rock? Not sure what to do.

That’s kind of what I did

The Bungulo · Sep 22, 2017

Looks great! are there any websites or something i can look at with rockwork design?

Hitman · Sep 22, 2017

I just googled reef tank pictures and spent days looking at they then combined what I say into what look I wanted. Tank size and shape will definitely come into play.
I don’t have any pictures but I am going completely opposite on my 200 gallon build I just started. More rock in the center with cave on the ends.
No matter how you do it like most of us it changes over time. Lol

spiraling · Sep 23, 2017

The Bungulo said:
Im planning to get a Red Sea Reefer, its 88 gallon plus a 20-something gallon sump. Im thinking about getting 3 Cardinals, a gramma Basslet, a blue tang, two clowns, a neon goby, and a six-line wrasse. I might change a few thing depending on my research or what you guys say.

The tank is too short for tang to really swim. The six line should be added last and might become a jerk. There are other wrasses that might do better in a community tank, such as a flasher.

The Bungulo · Sep 23, 2017

Im probably not going to get a six-line. he was pretty much a filler when i remebered firefish are gobies. Hippo tangs need a tank of at least 48", the 425 reefer is 47" -_-. close enough. If not the blue tang, what else? Id rather not have a yellow tang. something colorful.

The Bungulo · Sep 23, 2017

maybe something like a Powder Brown tang? Powder blue tangs are smaller.

spiraling · Sep 23, 2017

The Bungulo said:
Im probably not going to get a six-line. he was pretty much a filler when i remebered firefish are gobies. Hippo tangs need a tank of at least 48", the 425 reefer is 47" -_-. close enough. If not the blue tang, what else? Id rather not have a yellow tang. something colorful.

Hippo tangs grow to a foot long and live aquaria recommends 180 gallons or more. They are a good site for researching the size of fish and tank size needed.

The Bungulo · Sep 23, 2017

so should i get a power blue tang? they look similar but grow to 9".

spiraling · Sep 23, 2017

But blue tangs show a minimum tank of 125??
um.... you can obviously do what you want.
You want tangs, you have a "smallish" tank. Tangs need A LOT of swimming room. Keeping any of them in your size tank is like living your life in a jail cell without ever going outside.....