Tank stocking limit

[Drekkyk]

Hey all,

I have read different opinions on the stocking levels for tanks. I figured I would figure it out as I'm slowly stocking my 110g with Barbs. I thought I would be able to "eye" it as the tank got more populated, staying under the 1 inch per gallon rule. Now I'm not so sure...


So far I have 20 Barbs, and will be adding 3-4 clown loaches. After the loach addition, how many more Barbs can I have in the tank? (It is a tall tank, 48x18x32) I really want to get the most Barbs possible without overstocking. What are your reccomendations?

Filtration = AC110 and Flulval 404.

Thanks!

 

[patoloco]

The 1 inch per gallon rule is rubbish. Don't follow it.

whan you stock a tank, it's advisable to go by the available surface of water (footprint) rather than gallonage, so your 32" tall tank (Am I right here?) will be able to hold less fishes than a lower but wider tank. The more water that tuched the surface, the more oxigen tha water can obtain from the atmosphere.

Also, consider their swimming habits: clown loaches are bottom dwellers, so they will almost not interact with your barbs.

I'm always been told by some people I keep ma tanks pretty empty, so I would not add more than what you have after stocking the loaches.

 

[kyle3]

the inch per galon rule as you've already noticed is short sighted

gas exchange surface contributes more to carring capacity than volume (in other words long low tanks can carry more that tall narrow tanks of the same volume)

the fish themselves- veggitarians, omnivores, carnivores, messy or neat eater, metabolism, body shape: (4"kuhli loach vs. 4" green terror)

so far i'd say you're good but read the sticky about the inch per gallon rule then see if you have a better idea-- as far as being able to eye it- what looks good to a person is usually WAY over stocked.

BUT you have a very large tank and i don't think with the barbs and loaches youhave in mind right now that you are anywhere near being over stocked.

are you going to add any other species or are you limiting it to these 2?

if you are i would encourage you to up you loaches to 6 and then put the tigers around 25 i think you would be well within you stocking limit with that population and you'll have the biggest healthiest tiger barbs ever

plus a cool black, white and red tank that would look really cool

cheers -Kyle

 

[Drekkyk]

Thanks for the advice. I know the 1 inch per gallon rule is rubbish, hense asking the questions. 6 Loaches seem like too many to populate the bottom of the tank with a small footprint. That being said, my current barbs seemingly occupy ALL of the tank. They stay at the top for awhile, middle awhile, and even the bottom for awhile. I read another post where the recommended stocking level for a 110 g long (or there abouts) was 40 cardinals and 6 - 8 discus. This seems like too much to me, or that only 20 to 25 barbs is actually too little. There are times when the tank looks full when the barbs are all over the tank. When they school, the tank seems very empty. Do you think that 35 barbs would be ok? Can I increase oxygenation? I was thinking of adding 15 green barbs to my 20 Tigers for some variety.

 

[Roan Art]

. . . There are times when the tank looks full when the barbs are all over the tank. When they school, the tank seems very empty. Do you think that 35 barbs would be ok? Can I increase oxygenation? I was thinking of adding 15 green barbs to my 20 Tigers for some variety.

I know exactly what you mean by that, Drkkyk

I know I have more space in the silver dollar 65g for small schoolers, but, like you, when I see the fish all over the place it looks "full". When they school, it seems empty.

Roan