Originally Posted by bvdov
Does anyone have any suggestions on stocking my 44 gallon hex tank? This is a FOWLR tank and I would like the most bang for my buck so to speak. I have a skimmer, but I am also looking for a better one, so any suggestions on your favorite skimmers would also be great. Ideally, I would like about 30 inches of small fish in the tank. All with a maximum size of about 2 inches. Their bio-load would be relatively light compared with larger fish. Please let me know what you think.
30" of fish????
I strongly disagree with you there, and also that their bioload would be light compared with larger fish. It depends on the type of fish. Compared to large predators, yes.
IMO, you have at most 9 - 10" of fish to work with and as it is a hex which can have certain issues of its own, it may be less. The general "rule" in saltwater is 1" per 5g and this is modified depending on the type of fish and their aggression, need for room, etc.
Many smaller fish are still quite aggressive.
I have a 45 rectangular tank. Had a sixline, and a small Kole tang...added a coral beauty and it was WAY too crowded, IMO. Took the angel out. May go with 2 smaller fish but the tank was noticeably "stressful" with those three fish in it.
I think you need to strongly reconsider your plans for stocking. IMO, you are looking at 4-6 smaller fish (few, IMO, stay under 2" all in all). And fewer if you ever want any corals.
Things like chromis, sixline or other small wrasses, royal gramma, pseudochromis/dottybacks (but be careful...the can fight with similar types of fish like the gramma), gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, firefish, a dwarf angel, clowns, damsels....
