Stocking a 29 gallon ... to much ?

twintrades · 04/02/2010, 07:24 PM

My tank is a 29 I have 45 lbs of LR and getting more once its cleand of aiptaisa.
Skimmer is a seaclone.

As of now i have a clean up crew consisting of 4 Lil hermits and 2 margarita snails. and 1 narsis.

Fish are 2 lil pajamas.

Future plans are 2 clowns, 1 fire fish, a sand sifting goby , 1 blenny and a coral beauty. Later mabey a flasher wrass or a manderin.

Sound like to much ? Or just right.

Also we would only get 1 clown and later get one more smaller.

So is having 8 fish to many?

Brando457 · 04/02/2010, 07:29 PM

Better to get both clowns at the same time IMHO more likely they'll pair up.

I don't see an issue with having

2 pajamas, 2 clowns, a fire fish, a goby, and coral beauty OR blenny, but the wrasse I wouldn't recommend and mandarin you'll have to wait on til its established.

new2salt09 · 04/02/2010, 07:38 PM

that dosent sound bad most are small the golby & fire are rock dwellers
any ways

tang56 · 04/02/2010, 08:35 PM

i think that would be over the top. id go with adding only about one more small fish like a firefish or a clown.

tangzzz · 04/02/2010, 09:35 PM

If you put more rock where are the fish going to swim? I think that's too many fish, leading to a very high bio load and algae outbreaks. I think maybe one more fish, two will be pushing it since you already have 2 pajamas.

Patriot54 · 04/02/2010, 09:53 PM

That is way too many fish, you are setting yourself up for failure if you do that.

agreeive?fish · 04/02/2010, 10:03 PM

In my 30g(with a 29g "sump" of extra water volume) i have

pair pink skunk clownfish
1/2 black drawf angel
scissor tail dart fish
purple fire fish

will be adding
royal gramma
pearly jawfish
mandrin(down the road when my to be built 1000-1599g sump/refuge is on line)
shrimp/goby pair
and a couple of fish to get the heck out of the rocks and be more visable and that will be my bio load

i think your bio load will be ok if you UPGRADE YOUR SKIMMER i have personaly never owned a seaclone but have seen them in operation and cant see where they do much..but thats just an opinion..if you dont upgrade your skimmer you close or at your bio load max

twintrades · 04/02/2010, 10:20 PM

I have no sump as of now. So you think with having 8 fish would be to much of a bio load in my 29 ? I dont plan on upgrading my skimmer yet.

The manderin would be added later to the tank when its established. ( might not even get one till i upgrade the tank.)

When i add more rock it would be just to get closer to the surface. And make the rock work more appealing. Not to crowd out the fish. ( need better spots for corals.)

tangzzz · 04/03/2010, 01:57 AM

I think 8 fish would be too much; I would try to keep fish at a minimum if you plan to keep corals; especially if you decide to keep sps.

EllieSuz · 04/03/2010, 02:35 AM

I kept three fish in my 29 and when I upgraded to a 40 I added one more. Now that I have a 60, I have five fish and they are all on the smaller side. I think your stocking plan is way too much. Also don't believe a Mandarin will ever flourish in such a small tank, even if you wait until it's mature. The absence of a sump and/or refugium prohibits Mandarins in my opinion.

muttley000 · 04/03/2010, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EllieSuz

I kept three fish in my 29 and when I upgraded to a 40 I added one more. Now that I have a 60, I have five fish and they are all on the smaller side. I think your stocking plan is way too much. Also don't believe a Mandarin will ever flourish in such a small tank, even if you wait until it's mature. The absence of a sump and/or refugium prohibits Mandarins in my opinion.

Agreed,
My 29 with 29 fuge will have a pair of clownfish and 2 other small fish. Your proposed list is destined to faliure

travis32 · 04/03/2010, 07:58 AM

Why are we not following the general rule of fish here? General rule of thumb for an established tank is 1" of fish per gallon. If it's in it's infancy then it's 1" of fish for ever 2 to 10 gallons depending on how long it's been up.

Technically in the end 29 inches of fish (not sure if that is mitigated by water displacement by LR.) Assuming 5 gallons of water are displaced by LR that's around 24" of fish total

That's around 6 X 4" fish (going by adult size not what they are at the LFS). I think 8 fish would be too many, but, if you go by size and the max size of the fish is 2" then theoretically you could have up to 12 fish.

You must research the adult size of the fish though.. Otherwise in a 6 months to a year you'll have issues with disease and infections due to stressed out fish.

twintrades · 04/03/2010, 08:46 AM

OK what about 2 pajamas, 1 clown, 1 coral beauty, sand sifting goby and a fire fish ?

Is there a general rule of thumb for stocking ? I dont want to set up for failure but i also dont want to have a bare looking tank. My wife really wants the coral beauty and clowns. But if the tank would crash its not worth it.

So what would be the best for stocking ? And what would i gain if i added a 10 gallon sump/ refuigium ?

thebkramer · 04/03/2010, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twintrades

OK what about 2 pajamas, 1 clown, 1 coral beauty, sand sifting goby and a fire fish ?

Is there a general rule of thumb for stocking ? I dont want to set up for failure but i also dont want to have a bare looking tank. My wife really wants the coral beauty and clowns. But if the tank would crash its not worth it.

So what would be the best for stocking ? And what would i gain if i added a 10 gallon sump/ refuigium ?

Are you attached to pajamas??
You could return them get 2 clowns instead with the others you listed ^
Or..stay with that list as is. I find pajamas get boring, IMO you would enjoy a pair of clowns more

BTW..according to Drs Foster and Smith..the general rule is no more than 1/2 in per gallon of water.
http://www.peteducation.com/article....+2249&aid=2931

thebkramer · 04/03/2010, 08:58 AM

Here is another link with some great information from Drs Foster and Smith

http://www.peteducation.com/category.cfm?c=16+2249

ctrl+f · 04/03/2010, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travis32

Why are we not following the general rule of fish here? General rule of thumb for an established tank is 1" of fish per gallon. If it's in it's infancy then it's 1" of fish for ever 2 to 10 gallons depending on how long it's been up.

That rule is meant for freshwater, and is pretty flimsy at that. Better to consider the actual diet/habits/size of the fish in question.

fstar25 · 04/03/2010, 09:33 AM

+1 on lowering your total number. i have a 29g and was planning on 5 fish. now that i havr four i think that is too much. ill be staying at 4.

good luck and add fish slowly no matter what numbet you choose.

travis32 · 04/03/2010, 10:18 AM

Quote:

That rule is meant for freshwater, and is pretty flimsy at that. Better to consider the actual diet/habits/size of the fish in question.

I agree to consider the diet and personalities of fish. Not saying that a book is allknowing, but it's what SW for dummies says as a general rule for number of fish, and I've seen it mentioned here before too. I don't think it's just a freshwater rule...

And it is probably flimsy given some fish are messier than others.

tangzzz · 04/03/2010, 11:48 AM

Correct, the 1" of fish per gallon is for freshwater. I've even read in some places that 1" of fish for every 5 gallon of saltwater. You have to remember salt water is denser and holds less oxygen. I would leave your pajamas if you like them so much, a clown like an ocellaris or percula, and a fire fish. I think the coral beauty will not be to happy in a 29 and might get a bit territorial. I've seen mine terrorize smaller fish in an 8' aquarium. I would also leave the sand sifting goby out, depending on which one you want to get, some will starve after they eat the microfauna from your sand and will not eat prepared food. Hope this helps. The less number of fish you put in the tank the greater chances you give your fish of living their lives without stress or diseases.

twintrades · 04/03/2010, 01:55 PM

OK now after having the pajama fish for a while my wife finds them "cute but boring" They just float there and when they see you look at them they hide.

So were looking at 2 clowns, 1 Fire fish ( i like em) , 1 coral beauty ( promised her that one.) Mabey a wrass or 1-2 clown gobies or a hi fin.

This is going to be a reef tank also. So i know about the coral beauty. ( shell be fed well)

If somone has a different fish they liek that would work inplace of something i have. Tell me, Were trying to get somthing for all levels and have lota color. Our daughter is 8 months old and loves the fish at F&S.

thebkramer · 04/03/2010, 02:27 PM

If you wanted a fun sand dweller, the dusky jawfish is fun to have. He'll find a spot, and there he will stay constantly spitting sand and collecting shells and rubble for his doorway of the tunnel.

Just outta curiousity..what kind of wrasse are you looking at?? Wrasses get big and a 29 may be too small for one.

I have 2 clown gobies, 1 green 1 yellow, they are fun and take up no space at all. My green goby has taken up residence in my button polyps and my yellow signed a lease in macro algae.

The clownfish, coral beauty and fire fish sound like a great start!

Beblebe · 04/03/2010, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twintrades

OK now after having the pajama fish for a while my wife finds them "cute but boring" They just float there and when they see you look at them they hide.

So were looking at 2 clowns, 1 Fire fish ( i like em) , 1 coral beauty ( promised her that one.) Mabey a wrass or 1-2 clown gobies or a hi fin.

This is going to be a reef tank also. So i know about the coral beauty. ( shell be fed well)

If somone has a different fish they liek that would work inplace of something i have. Tell me, Were trying to get somthing for all levels and have lota color. Our daughter is 8 months old and loves the fish at F&S.

I know you promised, but I've seen a coral beauty keep half a 100+ gallon tank under it's control. In fact it only lets 3 clowns, a few damsels, and occasionally a tang nearby. If you really wanted a dwarf angel then get a flame angel.

twintrades · 04/03/2010, 02:56 PM

Ive heard flames are more prone to nip lps and softies..

But she might find somting else that suits her fancy.

thebkramer · 04/03/2010, 03:03 PM

I had a coral beauty for 2 years and she never showed any aggression, nor did she nip on corals. I think its a hit and miss. She use to "play" with my female clownfish, but no fights broke out. I am actually getting ready to get another

I say let your wife have her way and if it turns into a problem, then fix it. I personally think you will be fine, but thats only my opinion. You could put the CB in last so it doesn't think the whole tank is its whole territory. Just a suggestion though.

bertoni · 04/03/2010, 03:11 PM

I limited my 29g systems to about three percula-sized fish. A pair of smaller clowns and maybe a smaller blenny should be fine. More than that, and I would expect trouble over the long haul, either from aggression or very high maintenance requirements. A good skimmer will help some, but not that much.

04/02/2010, 07:24 PM	#1
twintrades Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 671	Stocking a 29 gallon ... to much ? My tank is a 29 I have 45 lbs of LR and getting more once its cleand of aiptaisa. Skimmer is a seaclone. As of now i have a clean up crew consisting of 4 Lil hermits and 2 margarita snails. and 1 narsis. Fish are 2 lil pajamas. Future plans are 2 clowns, 1 fire fish, a sand sifting goby , 1 blenny and a coral beauty. Later mabey a flasher wrass or a manderin. Sound like to much ? Or just right. Also we would only get 1 clown and later get one more smaller. So is having 8 fish to many?

04/03/2010, 02:35 AM	#10
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	I kept three fish in my 29 and when I upgraded to a 40 I added one more. Now that I have a 60, I have five fish and they are all on the smaller side. I think your stocking plan is way too much. Also don't believe a Mandarin will ever flourish in such a small tank, even if you wait until it's mature. The absence of a sump and/or refugium prohibits Mandarins in my opinion. __________________ "You can't learn this hobby one question at a time." (Mr. Tuskfish) Eileen Current Tank Info: I'm out of the hobby, but used to have a60 gal. reef, refugium in sump, Internal Mag 9 return, SC 302 skimmer, two Maxi-Jet 1200's modded, four bulb T5 Lighting, Reefkeeper Lite Controller with three PC4's, Little Fishes GFO reactor.

04/03/2010, 08:46 AM	#13
twintrades Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 671	Different list ? OK what about 2 pajamas, 1 clown, 1 coral beauty, sand sifting goby and a fire fish ? Is there a general rule of thumb for stocking ? I dont want to set up for failure but i also dont want to have a bare looking tank. My wife really wants the coral beauty and clowns. But if the tank would crash its not worth it. So what would be the best for stocking ? And what would i gain if i added a 10 gallon sump/ refuigium ?

04/03/2010, 09:33 AM	#17
fstar25 Getting there Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Friendswood, Tx Posts: 884	Re: Stocking a 29 gallon ... to much ? +1 on lowering your total number. i have a 29g and was planning on 5 fish. now that i havr four i think that is too much. ill be staying at 4. good luck and add fish slowly no matter what numbet you choose. __________________ The only thing I know for sure is nothing! Carrie, why do you want someone in need to die? -iCam Current Tank Info: 29G BioCube with LED lighting, media basket, fuge (chamber 2), MJ1200 return pump, K nano & K 1 power heads, 32# LR, ~2" SB

04/03/2010, 01:55 PM	#20
twintrades Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 671	Again revized stock list OK now after having the pajama fish for a while my wife finds them "cute but boring" They just float there and when they see you look at them they hide. So were looking at 2 clowns, 1 Fire fish ( i like em) , 1 coral beauty ( promised her that one.) Mabey a wrass or 1-2 clown gobies or a hi fin. This is going to be a reef tank also. So i know about the coral beauty. ( shell be fed well) If somone has a different fish they liek that would work inplace of something i have. Tell me, Were trying to get somthing for all levels and have lota color. Our daughter is 8 months old and loves the fish at F&S.

04/02/2010, 07:29 PM	#2
Brando457 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Caldwell, NJ Posts: 1,281	Better to get both clowns at the same time IMHO more likely they'll pair up. I don't see an issue with having 2 pajamas, 2 clowns, a fire fish, a goby, and coral beauty OR blenny, but the wrasse I wouldn't recommend and mandarin you'll have to wait on til its established.

04/02/2010, 07:38 PM	#3
new2salt09 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: mt. morris mi Posts: 90	that dosent sound bad most are small the golby & fire are rock dwellers any ways

04/02/2010, 08:35 PM	#4
tang56 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: seattle WA Posts: 105	i think that would be over the top. id go with adding only about one more small fish like a firefish or a clown.

04/02/2010, 09:35 PM	#5
tangzzz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 70	If you put more rock where are the fish going to swim? I think that's too many fish, leading to a very high bio load and algae outbreaks. I think maybe one more fish, two will be pushing it since you already have 2 pajamas.

04/02/2010, 09:53 PM	#6
Patriot54 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 727	That is way too many fish, you are setting yourself up for failure if you do that.

04/02/2010, 10:03 PM	#7
agreeive?fish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,803	In my 30g(with a 29g "sump" of extra water volume) i have pair pink skunk clownfish 1/2 black drawf angel scissor tail dart fish purple fire fish will be adding royal gramma pearly jawfish mandrin(down the road when my to be built 1000-1599g sump/refuge is on line) shrimp/goby pair and a couple of fish to get the heck out of the rocks and be more visable and that will be my bio load i think your bio load will be ok if you UPGRADE YOUR SKIMMER i have personaly never owned a seaclone but have seen them in operation and cant see where they do much..but thats just an opinion..if you dont upgrade your skimmer you close or at your bio load max

04/02/2010, 10:20 PM	#8
twintrades Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 671	I have no sump as of now. So you think with having 8 fish would be to much of a bio load in my 29 ? I dont plan on upgrading my skimmer yet. The manderin would be added later to the tank when its established. ( might not even get one till i upgrade the tank.) When i add more rock it would be just to get closer to the surface. And make the rock work more appealing. Not to crowd out the fish. ( need better spots for corals.)

04/03/2010, 01:57 AM	#9
tangzzz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 70	I think 8 fish would be too much; I would try to keep fish at a minimum if you plan to keep corals; especially if you decide to keep sps.

04/03/2010, 07:58 AM	#12
travis32 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: West Fargo, ND Posts: 2,161	Why are we not following the general rule of fish here? General rule of thumb for an established tank is 1" of fish per gallon. If it's in it's infancy then it's 1" of fish for ever 2 to 10 gallons depending on how long it's been up. Technically in the end 29 inches of fish (not sure if that is mitigated by water displacement by LR.) Assuming 5 gallons of water are displaced by LR that's around 24" of fish total That's around 6 X 4" fish (going by adult size not what they are at the LFS). I think 8 fish would be too many, but, if you go by size and the max size of the fish is 2" then theoretically you could have up to 12 fish. You must research the adult size of the fish though.. Otherwise in a 6 months to a year you'll have issues with disease and infections due to stressed out fish.

04/03/2010, 08:58 AM	#15
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	Here is another link with some great information from Drs Foster and Smith http://www.peteducation.com/category.cfm?c=16+2249

04/03/2010, 11:48 AM	#19
tangzzz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 70	Correct, the 1" of fish per gallon is for freshwater. I've even read in some places that 1" of fish for every 5 gallon of saltwater. You have to remember salt water is denser and holds less oxygen. I would leave your pajamas if you like them so much, a clown like an ocellaris or percula, and a fire fish. I think the coral beauty will not be to happy in a 29 and might get a bit territorial. I've seen mine terrorize smaller fish in an 8' aquarium. I would also leave the sand sifting goby out, depending on which one you want to get, some will starve after they eat the microfauna from your sand and will not eat prepared food. Hope this helps. The less number of fish you put in the tank the greater chances you give your fish of living their lives without stress or diseases.

04/03/2010, 02:27 PM	#21
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	If you wanted a fun sand dweller, the dusky jawfish is fun to have. He'll find a spot, and there he will stay constantly spitting sand and collecting shells and rubble for his doorway of the tunnel. Just outta curiousity..what kind of wrasse are you looking at?? Wrasses get big and a 29 may be too small for one. I have 2 clown gobies, 1 green 1 yellow, they are fun and take up no space at all. My green goby has taken up residence in my button polyps and my yellow signed a lease in macro algae. The clownfish, coral beauty and fire fish sound like a great start! __________________ Rhonda There is NO such things as Dumb Questions!! There are However.. Dumb Answers!!! ;) ____________ Current Tank Info: 55g reef....Current Orbit SunPaq Lights, HOB Eshopps, HOB AquaClear 110, 2-1400 Koralia Powerheads & 1 Nano Koralia, 40+ lbs LR, 2" LS

04/03/2010, 02:56 PM	#23
twintrades Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 671	Ive heard flames are more prone to nip lps and softies.. But she might find somting else that suits her fancy.

04/03/2010, 03:03 PM	#24
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	I had a coral beauty for 2 years and she never showed any aggression, nor did she nip on corals. I think its a hit and miss. She use to "play" with my female clownfish, but no fights broke out. I am actually getting ready to get another I say let your wife have her way and if it turns into a problem, then fix it. I personally think you will be fine, but thats only my opinion. You could put the CB in last so it doesn't think the whole tank is its whole territory. Just a suggestion though. __________________ Rhonda There is NO such things as Dumb Questions!! There are However.. Dumb Answers!!! ;) ____________ Current Tank Info: 55g reef....Current Orbit SunPaq Lights, HOB Eshopps, HOB AquaClear 110, 2-1400 Koralia Powerheads & 1 Nano Koralia, 40+ lbs LR, 2" LS

04/03/2010, 03:11 PM	#25
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I limited my 29g systems to about three percula-sized fish. A pair of smaller clowns and maybe a smaller blenny should be fine. More than that, and I would expect trouble over the long haul, either from aggression or very high maintenance requirements. A good skimmer will help some, but not that much. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni