How many fish?

rob020880 · 01/22/2008, 08:21 PM

Hello,

I just started a 130 gal tank and have a 30 gal sump. The tank has about 150 lbs live rock and currently three fish. Two perculas and a firefish.

I was wondering what the rule of thumb is for the amount of fish that can be in a tank? Is it one per 10 gal etc.?

Avi · 01/22/2008, 08:57 PM

There is no rule of thumb, IMO, that's reliable. A 130-gallon tank isn't so different from my 120-gallon reef, but which and how many fish you put in there will take some effort to look into the kinds of fish and size that you want to put in there. Also, the effectiveness of your skimmer, whether or not you have a refugium, the regularity and volume and water changes you do, the quality of the water that you use to make the water changes, etc. all are relevant to the number of fish that you can keep. You'll figure it out without any rules...If you're shakey, just post here as you think about acquiring new fish. There'll be no shortage of opinions. Just learn as you go and have fun.

01/22/2008, 08:21 PM	#1
rob020880 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,019	How many fish? Hello, I just started a 130 gal tank and have a 30 gal sump. The tank has about 150 lbs live rock and currently three fish. Two perculas and a firefish. I was wondering what the rule of thumb is for the amount of fish that can be in a tank? Is it one per 10 gal etc.?

01/22/2008, 08:57 PM	#2
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	There is no rule of thumb, IMO, that's reliable. A 130-gallon tank isn't so different from my 120-gallon reef, but which and how many fish you put in there will take some effort to look into the kinds of fish and size that you want to put in there. Also, the effectiveness of your skimmer, whether or not you have a refugium, the regularity and volume and water changes you do, the quality of the water that you use to make the water changes, etc. all are relevant to the number of fish that you can keep. You'll figure it out without any rules...If you're shakey, just post here as you think about acquiring new fish. There'll be no shortage of opinions. Just learn as you go and have fun. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR Last edited by Avi; 01/22/2008 at 09:39 PM.