Bioload question

Ochuxgoon · 12/16/2011, 07:01 AM

I have a 75 gallon bowfront tank/25 gallon sump.

It has been upand running for two years as a mixed reef and doing very well. I have a large coral population that is growing like mad, but very few fish. I have been afraid to add anymore fish because of the nice balance I have been able to achieve.

Current bioload:
Christmas wrasse
1 black occilarous
Coral beauty
Fox face juvenile
1 coral banded shrimp
3 peppermint shrimp

Want to add:
1 black ocellarous
1 male ly retail anthia
2-3 female lyretail anthia

Thoughts?

thegrun · 12/16/2011, 08:42 AM

Your tank should be able to handle that added load provided you add the fish slowly. Be prepared to possibly need to increase the frequency of your water changes to keep your nitrates down (it would help to know where your current nitrate and phosphate levels are). I've had good luck keeping my mixed reef tank fish loads under 1" of fish per 7 gallons (I don't count the shrimp in the total, as they are primarily scavengers and don't increase the bio-load). This is a very rough equation; some fish like tangs that produce a lot of waste should be counted double. You can certainly exceed this fish per gallon load, but added filtration and/or other nutrient export systems are often needed when your bio-load increases over those levels.

Ochuxgoon · 12/16/2011, 08:48 AM

I am currently running my system ULNS. I run bio-pellets and carbon w/ a skimmer rated for 200+gph. My nitrates and phosphates are both undetectable and there is no algae/cyano currently in the tank absorbing it.

I do not have nor want a tang. so i'm not worried about that.

Thanks for the help!

thegrun · 12/16/2011, 09:02 AM

The anthia do better if introduced all at once. Your will be adding more fish at one time than like too, but I think your tank will be okay with the extra bio-load.

Ochuxgoon · 12/16/2011, 09:10 AM

thank you so much!

Mandosh · 12/16/2011, 12:09 PM

You may want to rethink the anthias. A group of 4 will be pushing it. They generally fair better with larger numbers as the aggression is spread out within the group. Maybe just go with 1?

Mandosh · 12/16/2011, 12:10 PM

*Double Post*

shifty51008 · 12/16/2011, 01:08 PM

i agree your bioload will be fine with what you have and want, I have had the best luck with 1 male and 2 -3 females in my 75 gal. but you have to be able to feed them a few times a day sence they have a high metabolism

12/16/2011, 07:01 AM	#1
Ochuxgoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 19	Bioload question I have a 75 gallon bowfront tank/25 gallon sump. It has been upand running for two years as a mixed reef and doing very well. I have a large coral population that is growing like mad, but very few fish. I have been afraid to add anymore fish because of the nice balance I have been able to achieve. Current bioload: Christmas wrasse 1 black occilarous Coral beauty Fox face juvenile 1 coral banded shrimp 3 peppermint shrimp Want to add: 1 black ocellarous 1 male ly retail anthia 2-3 female lyretail anthia Thoughts?

12/16/2011, 01:08 PM	#8
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	i agree your bioload will be fine with what you have and want, I have had the best luck with 1 male and 2 -3 females in my 75 gal. but you have to be able to feed them a few times a day sence they have a high metabolism __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

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12/16/2011, 08:42 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Your tank should be able to handle that added load provided you add the fish slowly. Be prepared to possibly need to increase the frequency of your water changes to keep your nitrates down (it would help to know where your current nitrate and phosphate levels are). I've had good luck keeping my mixed reef tank fish loads under 1" of fish per 7 gallons (I don't count the shrimp in the total, as they are primarily scavengers and don't increase the bio-load). This is a very rough equation; some fish like tangs that produce a lot of waste should be counted double. You can certainly exceed this fish per gallon load, but added filtration and/or other nutrient export systems are often needed when your bio-load increases over those levels.

12/16/2011, 08:48 AM	#3
Ochuxgoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 19	I am currently running my system ULNS. I run bio-pellets and carbon w/ a skimmer rated for 200+gph. My nitrates and phosphates are both undetectable and there is no algae/cyano currently in the tank absorbing it. I do not have nor want a tang. so i'm not worried about that. Thanks for the help!

12/16/2011, 09:02 AM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	The anthia do better if introduced all at once. Your will be adding more fish at one time than like too, but I think your tank will be okay with the extra bio-load.

12/16/2011, 09:10 AM	#5
Ochuxgoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 19	thank you so much!

12/16/2011, 12:09 PM	#6
Mandosh Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 51	You may want to rethink the anthias. A group of 4 will be pushing it. They generally fair better with larger numbers as the aggression is spread out within the group. Maybe just go with 1?

12/16/2011, 12:10 PM	#7
Mandosh Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 51	Double Post