Whats the magic rule????

bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Well, I agree with Killafins that's it's far from a defining formula. I just think it is an OK guideline to start from. I understand his concern for improperly placing fish based on size and not requirements. I don't think the guideline works for species tanks. I do think it works for mixed tanks though and that's just a difference of opinion. He has a point. I think I do too.
 
killafins

killafins

Active Member
Trick questoin, eh bang guy? U've been at this site longer than I so it's obvious u know the answer :thinking: But ok, the way i would have handled:
So, treat me as an eager new hobbiest that wants to fill a 55 gallon tank.
Fill with what? Reef, fish only? What fishes are you interested in? I really hate those posts... I have a 55 what should i put in it!!! but again, i used to do them too so i understand why they occur.
I do see your points too it just seems that if someone asks for the magic inch rule we should clearly state, it's not an inch to gallon rule but a gallon per species rule. *shrug* I believe that is why most tangs are put in such small quarters.
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
Yes, exactly (in regards to the tangs).
I do like using the guideline to show people that saltwater fish need more space, but I think that guideline should be followed up by, don't forget to do your research. There are plenty of online websites, books, magazines that can help someone better understand the space that a fish needs to survive happily.
 
migston

migston

Member
Alright maybe using the word stupid was a bit much. Yes, the magic rule did help me understand that I shouldn't overstock.
However, my problem is when people ask specific questions yet still get this as an answer. They provide their tank size, filtration, the various species they're looking at and then the responses they get are "1 inch per 5 gallons".
I ask again though, how were the standards for this rule created? I mean, I look at a lot of stocking lists and I'm positive a lot of people go way over the magic rule. Is it because the magic rule is for tanks without skimmers and sumps/refugiums? Is this for reef tanks?
According to the magic rule I'd be totally done stocking my 60g with 2 percs and a blenny.
I guess I have a problem with rules of thumb in general. The watts per gallon one being tops on that list.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator

Originally posted by migston
According to the magic rule I'd be totally done stocking my 60g with 2 percs and a blenny.
a 7" Blenny? j/k
In all seriousness, new hobbiests that exceed this are asking for unhealthy fish. Once you have the experience under your belt it's fairly obvious what stocking levels you can handle.
I truly believe new hobbiests should not exceed this guide. I don't think of it as a rule.
 
migston

migston

Member

Originally posted by Bang Guy
a 7" Blenny? j/k

Hehe well 5" actually so woohoo I guess I can get a neon goby LOL
I can see the point about making a simple rule for newbies, but when is anything in this hobby ever simple? In the course of a few months I've had to learn to be a plumber, woodworker, electrician, biologist and chemist all at once.
If someone's comprehension is stretched by having to factor in fish behavior, diet, territorialness and what not, then they're doomed to fail anyway.
In a way it's a catch 22. The inch per 5 rule takes into account adult fish size right? If someone is unable or unwilling to put in the time and effort to research their fish, then the chances of those fish reaching adult size are slim to none.
 
killafins

killafins

Active Member
well, if u feel that new hobbyists cant research tank size, than having them research the full size of a fish is giving them too much credit. In example: what size do these fish reach? can not be much harder than asking, what size tank do these fish need?
 
viper_930

viper_930

Active Member
There are other retail sites that gives more description of the fish like max size and required tank size. I think SWF.com should say that too about the fish.
 
killafins

killafins

Active Member
yes, but there are also not always accurate...
Damn, aint this ironic? Everyone is recommending something but everyone is dissagreeing and recommending something else than what was originally recommended. However the recommended material, as good as it can be, is not always the best recommendation due to the fact that the recommended material may be faulty. so what is the one safe magic rule??? I'll give u a hint... it begins with R, ends with H and had a E-S-E-A-R-C in the middle
*please let me have spelt that right*
 
migston

migston

Member
Yeah I always hear the cliche about how nothing in this hobby goes quickly except for bad stuff. Why put less emphasis on finding out exactly what your livestock need by going with a quickie shortcut rule of thumb.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I think I see why Killafins & I are in disagreement. I believe we are not discussing the same topic.
IMO 1" of fish per 5 gallons of capacity is a fish density guideline and has nothing to do with individual fish requirements.
Killafin's point is about researching requirements of individual fish.
I don't think these two topics are related. I think they both need to be considered seperately. There are a lot of other factors that need to be considered seperately also.
Aggressiveness/compatibility.
Temperature requirements.
Feeding requirements.
etc.
My answer was only intended to cover initial stocking density. I believe that's all the 1" per 5 gal. is intended to cover. I still think is a good answer.
 
greatfullreefer

greatfullreefer

Active Member
Hmmm i just researched the needs for a yellow tang:- minimum tank size 75 gallons, diet herbivore, temprement semi aggresive/community....Great i have a 75 gallon with plant life...im going to order 50 of them...thats what researching concluded. I am not saying you are wrong in researching the fishes needs, i agree with Bang 2 different topics.
 
killafins

killafins

Active Member

Originally posted by GreatfullReefer
Hmmm i just researched the needs for a yellow tang:- minimum tank size 75 gallons, diet herbivore, temprement semi aggresive/community....Great i have a 75 gallon with plant life...im going to order 50 of them...thats what researching concluded.

If that's what you 'concluded' u should reconsider being in this hobby.
Bang guy, you are completely correct... When i here 1" per 5 gallons i don't think biological wise but much more ecological wise (if that's the right word). If that is the 'magic rule' we are speaking of, i completely agree, for those who care :hilarious
 
alison

alison

Member
:happyfish I think the best advice you can give to a newbe is: start cycling with a few damsels, and jot down what fish you want, and ask swf.com what everyone thinks. That way you get him on the boards learnin, and he knows what he can get in his circomstance. :D -ali
 
alison

alison

Member
:happyfish Hey grantsman- I was joking about the swf.com thing ha, ha so ne,ner, ne, ner.
And bangerguy, what do you recommend for cycling, not damsels? Ya, probably not environmentally corect, but takes too long otherwise. Some people here on the threads feed damsels to their lions, so I'm not that bad.-ali
:happyfish
 
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