How to maintain large bioload

[daj0424]

Alright, I just upgraded from my 55 gallon to a 90g RR and I am looking to increase my bioload. I think I have pretty much everything I need for a larger biolad except maybe a new protein skimmer let me know what you think. Also, can you reccomend a good inexpensive skimmer. How is the Jebo? Any other generic models that have worked well for the money? My LFS has a CPR SR4 so I might go wth that as well but it is a little more than I want to spend. Your thoughts.
Equipment:
AGA megaflow 3
turbo twist UV sterlizer
bak pak 2 protein skimmer (looking to upgrade)
Seio power head
Bio load:
50 lbs LR (i know I need more but I will slowly add more in the next few months)
1" deep sand bed
1 3" yellow tang
1 3" blue Hippo tang
1 3" Drawf Lion
1 2" maroon clown
10 snails
1 sand star
Looking to ad:
1 2"Potters angel
1 2" blue spotted puffer
5 2" green cromis (Big enough that they wount get eaten by the lion)
1 4" green bird wrasse
Your thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[keith burn]

[/QUOTE]Your thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
[IOM] you need to read more.
A lot of things that do not look good.
read more.

 

[cgrant]

i would slim down the list, you will have more fish in your 90 gallon than i have in my 210.
suggestions, deeper sand bed, more lr.
instead of purchasing those fish use that money for more sand and lr.

 

[fishcake]

add a skimmer and a Sump/refugium.

 

[alyssia]

I have done lots of research on the Potters Angel, and they are not suitable for home aquaria. Most of them die very quickly.

 

[ophiura]

I need for a larger biolad except maybe a new protein skimmer let me know what you think. Also, can you reccomend a good inexpensive skimmer
You've got a problem, right there, IMO at least.
A good inexpensive skimmer so you can really increase bioload? Inexpensive skimmers are not necessarily really bad...but they are also not really good at heavy loads, IMO.
I am assuming this will never be a coral tank.
Can I ask, and this is a pointed question but not intended to flame, if you know this is a large bioload, why do it? It is pushing the system, and may very well lead to water quality problems and then fish health problems (due to overcrowding and stress?). Just wondering. It may be a "to each his own" sort of thing.
Well, lots of LR, a really good skimmer, quite possibly a wet/dry, IMO, if you are intending to keep a heavily stocked tank.

 

[anonome]

Originally Posted by ophiura
You've got a problem, right there, IMO at least.
A good inexpensive skimmer so you can really increase bioload? Inexpensive skimmers are not necessarily really bad...but they are also not really good at heavy loads, IMO.
Absolutely, the skimmer is the one place you do not want to skimp. This IMO is the most important piece of equipment. Think of it as you have the dinning room table, (fishtank), but no chairs. (good and efficient skimmer) Not much good is it? The Aqua C brand skimmer is awesome. I have one it is pulling out all sorts of gunk. It always amazes me how much it pulls out. Please, don't skimp on the skimmer.

 

[ct_vol]

Originally Posted by Anonome
Absolutely, the skimmer is the one place you do not want to skimp. This IMO is the most important piece of equipment. Think of it as you have the dinning room table, (fishtank), but no chairs. (good and efficient skimmer) Not much good is it? The Aqua C brand skimmer is awesome. I have one it is pulling out all sorts of gunk. It always amazes me how much it pulls out. Please, don't skimp on the skimmer.

Again, DON'T SKIMP ON A SKIMMER!!!!!!!!!
ASM G series skimmers are by far the best bang for the buck... If cost weren't an issue... Ooooh baby, go with a Deltec...

 

[daj0424]

Thanks for your replies. This will stay a fish only with LR. The reson that I am interested in having more fish is becuase the tank always looks bare. Then you go into a Fishstore I think their tanks look great because of all this fish in them. I know it is only a temp set up at the LFS but I have seen some beautiful tanks on shows like MTV cribs that have alot more than 4 fish in a 90 gallon.
As long as the fish are compatible and I get the right equipment I am sure I will be able to maintain a larger bio load. How does places like Rain Forest Cafe do it? Their tanks are always packed with fish and they have a small amount of LS and no LR.
I already have a wet/dry filter, the AGA megaflow model 3. I guess what I am trying to get at here is what is the equipment that is needed to increase your bioload. Is it a protein skimmer? How about a P.S. rated at 120+ for a 90 gallon? Is it a wet/dry filter? Is it the addition of a fuge? I am curious what others have been successful with in the 90 gallon range.

 

[ophiura]

Originally Posted by daj0424
Thanks for your replies. This will stay a fish only with LR. The reson that I am interested in having more fish is becuase the tank always looks bare. Then you go into a Fishstore I think their tanks look great because of all this fish in them. I know it is only a temp set up at the LFS but I have seen some beautiful tanks on shows like MTV cribs that have alot more than 4 fish in a 90 gallon.

This is not the best gauge. Those shows have the budget to replace fish every day if need be, and the need is probably there. You don't know how long they fish are in there, how the water quality is, how often they are replaced. But you, I assume, want to limit the investment and keep fish long term? Keep in mind they will grow, and this will fill up the tank in time. But be very very wary of seeing a tank on TV and thinking that those are fine stable systems with healthy fish that have been in there a long time. I would just about guarantee that they are not. They are "professionally" maintained, and that always includes a budget to exchange or replace or add fish...that is for SHOW, not for proper fish care, IMO.

Patience is the biggest virtue in this hobby.

 

[ophiura]

Originally Posted by daj0424
As long as the fish are compatible and I get the right equipment I am sure I will be able to maintain a larger bio load. How does places like Rain Forest Cafe do it? Their tanks are always packed with fish and they have a small amount of LS and no LR.
.

LOL...I worked for this company (parent company is Landry's).
HUGE HUGE systems with BIG sand filters, and BIIGGG skimmers....and a HUGE budget to replace fish.
Those are not stand alone 90 gallon systems, generally they are plumbed together in some respect..
More (the boss came in...)
A professional staff of aquarists who monitor those systems all day.
A large budget and use of copper and praziquantel and other medications.
The ability to move out fish to other restaurants or facilities (the "empire" includes the Downtown Aquarium in Houston, The Aquarium Restaurant in Kemah, TX, The Aquarium Restaurant in Nashville, The Denver Aquarium (Ocean Journey), and soon the Golden Nugget Casino/Aquarium Restaurant in Las Vegas.
Much different than a home 90g tank.

 

[hagfish]

I think bio-load wise the easiest way to do this is get a huge sump and/or fuge. If you added a sump/fuge of at least 100 gallons that would be a big help. Especially if you put a lot of live rock in it. Then your main issue is territory, which will likely be a problem with so many fish.
And you definitely want a good skimmer. Don't even consider any Jebo skimmer. If you are talking knock-offs I'd say something of the caliber of an ASM G3 is the least I would consider.

 

[wattsupdoc]

Filtration, feeding, waterchanges. IMO the key to maintaining a high bioload. Have enough filtration to handle the load, feed VERY sparingly, (use supplemented food), and do water changes OFTEN. Get a massive sump, like stated above, with tons of LR and sand, also some macro algea. A GOOD skimmer, sized to you're total water volume.(DT and sump) Lots of flow to stir up debritus. And some kind of filtration to remove particulate matter. ie. wet/dry, hob, or canister. Run carbon periodically, and keep the filters clean. Thats IMO the only way to do it.
my .02 worth

 

[hardcrab67]

Originally Posted by wattsupdoc
Filtration, feeding, waterchanges. IMO the key to maintaining a high bioload. Have enough filtration to handle the load, feed VERY sparingly, (use supplemented food), and do water changes OFTEN. Get a massive sump, like stated above, with tons of LR and sand, also some macro algea. A GOOD skimmer, sized to you're total water volume.(DT and sump) Lots of flow to stir up debritus. And some kind of filtration to remove particulate matter. ie. wet/dry, hob, or canister. Run carbon periodically, and keep the filters clean. Thats IMO the only way to do it.
my .02 worth

OFTEN is the key word hear

I confess I'm guilty of it. With that many fish, IMO a 125g would be maxed, plenty of room to grow 200 range at least. 80" of grown fish is roughly 400gal of water column, that how I figure anyways. Your fish would gradually die out because of enviromental restrictions as they grow. When they're small it will work but different species grow at different rates and bigger requirements eat up your water quality quick. Non-aggressive fish would suffer when others become more aggressive for space. If your system can't support Them they will not thrive, and most won't survive.