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06-18-2006, 08:11 PM
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#1
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Reef Addict
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Menomonie, WI
Posts: 1,372
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How many fish per gallon?
 I've read:
- 1 fish per 5 gallons of water
- 2 inches of fish per gallon of water
- 5 inches of fish per gallon of water
What does everyone recommend? 
I am starting to stock my 30 gallon and don't want to over-do it... like I did in the 9 gallon.  I have one damsel and, just added two blue- green chromis.
Is adding an invert the same as adding a fish?
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__________________
Reefkeeping is an Addiction not a hobby!
~*~*Sheli Jo~*~*
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06-18-2006, 08:16 PM
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#2
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I loves me a water change
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: WI
Posts: 7,743
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I wouldn't add more than one additional fish to a 30 gallon. Generally speaking, inverts don't increase your bioload like fish do, ime.
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Chris
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06-18-2006, 08:18 PM
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#3
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The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 12,560
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Fish per gallon is misleading and not really a good way to figure stocking levels in a SW tank. Need to consider the type of fish (tangs like open water and need lots of space) and the natural habits of each. Consider the territorial nature etc.. i wouldn't put more than 3 smallish in a 30. You also have to consider filtration, how big is the skimmer, what kind of flow to keep the detritus suspended so the skimmer can get it etc.
each type of fish has different needs that go beyond gallons per inch.
The responsible thing to do is research what you want, make a solid informed decision if a 30 will work for them and limit the number of total fish.
Robert
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06-18-2006, 08:21 PM
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#4
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I loves me a water change
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: WI
Posts: 7,743
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The fish per gallon rules don't work very well, ime. It really depends on the type of fish, not necessarily how big it is. I have a 180 gallon tank and I wouldn't add more than one (maybe two) tangs to the tank.
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Chris
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06-18-2006, 08:21 PM
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#5
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I loves me a water change
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: WI
Posts: 7,743
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Yeah, what Robert said! 
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Chris
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06-18-2006, 08:34 PM
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#6
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Southern Oregon, Way West of Dimples ;)
Posts: 22,024
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When trying to determine how many fish, all those factors play in, remember SW holds less dissolved oxygen than FW, higher temps will lower it even more. Anything over the amount that you tank would support for an extended period of time( say 4-6 hrs) is over loaded
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06-18-2006, 08:38 PM
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#7
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Reef Addict
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Menomonie, WI
Posts: 1,372
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Then, what you're all saying, is that I'm at the max now with the three small fish. Correct?
I have ample flow and just put in a Red Sea Prism Pro Skimmer. Will these work for the three fish? Can I add a couple of peppermint shrimp and an emerald crab?
__________________
Reefkeeping is an Addiction not a hobby!
~*~*Sheli Jo~*~*
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06-18-2006, 08:40 PM
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#8
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The Ninja MOD
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Planet P.....Why Me?
Posts: 12,560
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I think youll be fine with the shrimp and crab! Fish are the culprets when it comes to adding bioload. The shrimp and crab may help with detritus a bit even! IMO I wouldnt add any more fish.
Robert
__________________
If you feel so empty, so used up, so let down,
If you feel so angry, so ripped off, so stepped on,
You're not the only one refusing to back down
You're not the only one
So get up
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06-18-2006, 08:41 PM
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#9
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I loves me a water change
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: WI
Posts: 7,743
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Agreed. 
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Chris
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06-18-2006, 08:41 PM
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#10
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Reef Addict
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Menomonie, WI
Posts: 1,372
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Thanks for the input guys! I appreciate it all.
__________________
Reefkeeping is an Addiction not a hobby!
~*~*Sheli Jo~*~*
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