Fish Stocking Density Question
- Thread starter dedecv3
- Start date
srfisher17
Active Member
Originally Posted by dedecv3
http:///forum/post/3162788
What determines the stocking rate of an aquarium? Is it the size of the aquarium or the volume of water.
If I have a 180 gallon with a 300 gallon sump can i keep more fish in that tank than a 180 gallon with only a 50 gallon sump??
Yes; but there are variables like amt of LR, filtration, circulation, tank shape, etc. The more water, the more diluted any problem compounds become. Just don't shock your system by adding too much at once.
You're really asking 2 questions,; the RATE should always be go slow. Everything above being equal, the number of fish you can keep would be higher in the bigger system.
http:///forum/post/3162788
What determines the stocking rate of an aquarium? Is it the size of the aquarium or the volume of water.
If I have a 180 gallon with a 300 gallon sump can i keep more fish in that tank than a 180 gallon with only a 50 gallon sump??
Yes; but there are variables like amt of LR, filtration, circulation, tank shape, etc. The more water, the more diluted any problem compounds become. Just don't shock your system by adding too much at once.
You're really asking 2 questions,; the RATE should always be go slow. Everything above being equal, the number of fish you can keep would be higher in the bigger system.
dedecv3
Member
What I meant to say was stocking density, not stocking rate. We are planning a house remodel probably to start in the spring and want to include an in wall aquarium and it appears that a 180 is the biggest we will be able to go with. I do however have some extra 300 gallon Rubbermaid stock tanks sitting around and plenty of room behind the tank to put it so I figured i'd put it to good use if it would allow me to keep more fish. Could even turn it into a Stingray pond!!
srfisher17
Active Member
I think most tanks can hold a lot more fish (under ideal conditions) than most people realize. Some Asian tanks are crammed so full its hard to believe, and, IMO, ugly. Just my opinion; but any tank described as "jammed' would look very artificial. Keeping fish alive is one thing, having fish thrive is another. Many "peaceful" fish won't stay peaceful when crowded. The Asian tanks "jam" more aggressive fish together and it reduces aggression, fish can't remember who they were fighting with. An awful approach to the hobby, IMO.
srfisher17
Active Member
Originally Posted by dedecv3
http:///forum/post/3162811
I'm not saying i'd want to "jam" the tank full of fish but rather keep maybe 25-35% more fish than what you would typically see in that sized tank.
All of my following drivel applies only to fish-only tanks.
Well, sure. Again, assuming good filtration, LR, maintenance, etc; the more water--the more fish you can keep (theoretically). I'm not encouraging anything; but most well-maintained tanks can hold more fish than they usually do. Fish breeders keep fish almost wall to wall at times. Once this discussion starts, there are so many potential problems; but just go slow and be ready for problems. The more fish in a given space, the more potential for trouble. Aggression, water quality, stress etc, etc. IMO & IME; the water quality is the easiest to control.
I think most seasoned hobbiests know to stop stocking before the problems start.
http:///forum/post/3162811
I'm not saying i'd want to "jam" the tank full of fish but rather keep maybe 25-35% more fish than what you would typically see in that sized tank.
All of my following drivel applies only to fish-only tanks.
Well, sure. Again, assuming good filtration, LR, maintenance, etc; the more water--the more fish you can keep (theoretically). I'm not encouraging anything; but most well-maintained tanks can hold more fish than they usually do. Fish breeders keep fish almost wall to wall at times. Once this discussion starts, there are so many potential problems; but just go slow and be ready for problems. The more fish in a given space, the more potential for trouble. Aggression, water quality, stress etc, etc. IMO & IME; the water quality is the easiest to control.
I think most seasoned hobbiests know to stop stocking before the problems start.
wangotango
Active Member
You can't just consider water volume. Even with a large sump on a small tank you still have limited dimensions and for fish that are very active or very territorial it can cause problems.
-Justin
-Justin
srfisher17
Active Member
Originally Posted by WangoTango
http:///forum/post/3162838
You can't just consider water volume. Even with a large sump on a small tank you still have limited dimensions and for fish that are very active or very territorial it can cause problems.
-Justin
This is what I meant when I mentioned aggression and stress. You put it better.
http:///forum/post/3162838
You can't just consider water volume. Even with a large sump on a small tank you still have limited dimensions and for fish that are very active or very territorial it can cause problems.
-Justin
This is what I meant when I mentioned aggression and stress. You put it better.