Question about Bioload??

[cliffrouse11bas]

I have a question I am reading through these post and understand that the general rule is 1 inch of fish per 5 gallons. So this means I can have a max of six inches, that is when my tank is complete, in my 29 gallon is this correct???

 

[tracklighter]

correct

 

[cliffrouse11bas]

so I have one clown and I can have 1 fish that is about 2 inches. Right??

 

[marting83]

Most people on here favor rock gardens, not fish tanks. Perhaps this excerpt from this book will help... Better?

 

[cliffrouse11bas]

That sounds a little better. I just dont want any disasters.. I think from what I read as long as you do it slow and make sure you keep the right kind of fish in your tank that 3 to 4 would be fine...

 

[marting83]

Right, nice and slow. I about went in sane when several people recommended 4 fish for my 72 gallon aquarium. If you were planning on owning tangs, then you might have a problem. This is one of the variables the book discuesses. However, if you want 2 percula clownfish, and 2 green damsels - no problem.
I've found in my freshwater experiences that if you have a large medium (biowheels in my case) on which these nitrifying bacteria can live and you add fish slowly, Ammonia and Nitrite are not a problem reguardless of the number of fish. Thus, the only element you should concern yourself with is Nitrate. Of course there are several ways of dealing with Nitrate - 1. For Freshwater, live plants work very efficiently, 2. For Saltwater, protien skimmer work well, and 3. for both Freshwater and Saltwater, a 10% water change once every one to two weeks. Just make sure Nitrate stays below 20ppm, perhaps 10ppm for coral reef.

 

[cliffrouse11bas]

Here is what I am hoping for in my mature fully grown aquarium.
1 false percula (already got)
1 cleaner shrimp (already got)
1 of these not sure which one watchman goby, bicolor blenny, yellow spotted jawfish???
1 Purple Pseudochromis(Dottyback)
Please help me with my future selections. I think about christmas time I am going to add another fish I need help. My girlfriend told me she would buy me a fish because we got a 25% off coupon from the LFS in the mail.....!!!!

 

[marting83]

That sounds like a nice selection of fish. You have a tough choice to make don't you? My vote goes for the Blenny becuase they are the cutest fish I've ever seen, thus I think your girlfriend would like it. However, they are slighty teritorial. They will usually choose a rock to sit on all day and no one else should touch it. They're not vicious about it though.

 

[glinton]

I would go for the bicolor blenny. We have one which we have affectionately called "Lenny the Blenny." (My wife named him-I had nothing to do with it!). Anyway, he is a really cool fish. At first he was really shy but now he loves to swim around with our clown, although he will go in to hiding every once in a while. He has his cave in the rock which he has claimed for his own. At first I didn't know if I really liked him, but now I think he is a great fish. He kind of looks like a muppet. Needless to say, I would recommend a blenny.

 

[saltyrich]

I would not go as far a 3-4 inches of fish per every five gallons. I do however, believe that adequate filtration allows more than the 1" per every 5 gallons rule. remember that this rule is a generalization. I believe that with ample amounts of lr, ls, and a good skimmer, that rule can be extended. I've got about 7.5 inches of fish in my 30 gallon. I do however have a good 75-80 lbs of live rock and a 5" dsb, a good skimmer, as well as a relatively new refugium. I think 3-4 inches per 5 gallons would overcrowd. Given adequate filtration, I think 2 inches per 5 gallons is probably tolerable and probably safe. Just my opinion.

 

[debbers]

I have a midas blenny and he is sooo mellow; not territorial at all. He likes to swim and play with the clownfish, too. He's got a great personality. We love him!!
~D~