Bio load question

Craigdillman · 02/14/2013, 07:56 PM

Hey Everyone

Quick Question on bio load for my 30 gallon reef tank.
Been up and running for about 3 months now wondering what in the future i could add for fish or am I about done?
Set up is
30 gallon
20ish pounds live sand
25ish pounds live rock
220 marineland canister filter
HOB filter run somedays (goby kicks up lots of sand)
2 425nano powerheads
LED marineland reef capable lights

So far have
Fish-
2 small Clowns
1 Sand sifter goby
1 little Royal Gamma
Inverts-
4 Turbo snails
4 narsiss snails
1 Tuxedo Urchin
9 blue leg hermit crabs
1 cleaner shrimp

LPS corals-
frog spawn
candy cane
gsp
galxea coral
zoo's
kenya tree

Ive never had a problem with any water perm. being out of wack
Most recent
Salinity 1.026
amm-0ppm
nirite 0ppm
nitrate-0ppm
temp 80
ph-7.9

dont have cal or phosphate tests yet

My ? is can my tank hold 1 or 2 more fish or is it too small. The gamma seems to be around the rocks and goby donent leave the sand so seems that their is lots of empty space for more?

That are your thoughts? I like lots of color and unique fish?

Thanks you guys rock

kimdawg · 02/14/2013, 09:14 PM

You could add one more smaller fish, but as the clowns mature they will become more agressive and guard a large portion of the tank. I don't think I would add another fish. I have 6 fish in my 125 and don't think I would ever add more than one more fish to it. Every one has their personal space and there is still plenty of room for them to swim and interact with each other.

solitude · 02/14/2013, 09:56 PM

You can address 2 more fish. But be careful to territory aggressiveness.

Cymonous · 02/15/2013, 10:29 AM

Bioload, you may be able to get away with 1 more fish. Just check compatibility with your current fish.

Have you thought about adding a sump? You could get a HOB overflow to drain to your sump. You could also add another piece of rock to get it up to 30lbs or more to help with biological filtration. If you do the above, you can probably add 2 fish.

trinidiver · 02/15/2013, 10:44 AM

may he not be able to get away with a firefish?

MrClam · 02/15/2013, 11:07 AM

Just to clarify bio-load and compatibility are two seperate issues. In terms of biological filtration your tank could likely hold more livestock. But depending on what species of clownfish you have determines how agressive they will be when they mature. Even the most docile clownfish will control almost all of the tank when mature. They will likely harass and kill any additional fish based on territorial aggression. If you have some of the more aggressive species even the current RG could be at risk.

Guygettnby · 02/15/2013, 12:59 PM

with a 30g tank and the fish you have right now. i wouldnt push it anymore. your filtration is not really the best, and all the fish you have now will grow. just keep in mind that everything needs room to grow in your tank and the bigger the clowns get they will get more agressive.

you just need to think about the future.

Craigdillman · 02/15/2013, 03:43 PM

Ill have to convince the wife on a new tank then hey? Lol, yea if I do add anymore it would only be 1 more small fish. I've been good with water changes and I've never seemed to have a problem with water peramiters or quality, I use RO water and mixed salt from the LFS. What more would I need for filtration? I was told a skimmer isn't really nessisary for a 30 gallon if I am good with water changes

02/14/2013, 07:56 PM	#1
Craigdillman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Lethbirdge Posts: 487	Bio load question Hey Everyone Quick Question on bio load for my 30 gallon reef tank. Been up and running for about 3 months now wondering what in the future i could add for fish or am I about done? Set up is 30 gallon 20ish pounds live sand 25ish pounds live rock 220 marineland canister filter HOB filter run somedays (goby kicks up lots of sand) 2 425nano powerheads LED marineland reef capable lights So far have Fish- 2 small Clowns 1 Sand sifter goby 1 little Royal Gamma Inverts- 4 Turbo snails 4 narsiss snails 1 Tuxedo Urchin 9 blue leg hermit crabs 1 cleaner shrimp LPS corals- frog spawn candy cane gsp galxea coral zoo's kenya tree Ive never had a problem with any water perm. being out of wack Most recent Salinity 1.026 amm-0ppm nirite 0ppm nitrate-0ppm temp 80 ph-7.9 dont have cal or phosphate tests yet My ? is can my tank hold 1 or 2 more fish or is it too small. The gamma seems to be around the rocks and goby donent leave the sand so seems that their is lots of empty space for more? That are your thoughts? I like lots of color and unique fish? Thanks you guys rock

02/15/2013, 10:29 AM	#4
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	Bioload, you may be able to get away with 1 more fish. Just check compatibility with your current fish. Have you thought about adding a sump? You could get a HOB overflow to drain to your sump. You could also add another piece of rock to get it up to 30lbs or more to help with biological filtration. If you do the above, you can probably add 2 fish. __________________ 100 Gallon Long with 20L sump 10 Gallon Office Tank Current Tank Info: 2 False Percula Clowns, One Spot Foxface, Diamond Watchman Goby, Yellow Tail Damsel, Engineer Goby

02/15/2013, 10:44 AM	#5
trinidiver Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sweet Trinidad & Tobago. (West Indies) Posts: 1,141	may he not be able to get away with a firefish? __________________ Always expect anything from your friends......they will shoot you down as they get a chance. Current Tank Info: Its a 220gal reef.......LPS/leathers/zoas. Check my album.

02/14/2013, 09:14 PM	#2
kimdawg Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Comer, GA Posts: 52	You could add one more smaller fish, but as the clowns mature they will become more agressive and guard a large portion of the tank. I don't think I would add another fish. I have 6 fish in my 125 and don't think I would ever add more than one more fish to it. Every one has their personal space and there is still plenty of room for them to swim and interact with each other.

02/14/2013, 09:56 PM	#3
solitude Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: california Posts: 58	You can address 2 more fish. But be careful to territory aggressiveness.

02/15/2013, 11:07 AM	#6
MrClam Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 557	Just to clarify bio-load and compatibility are two seperate issues. In terms of biological filtration your tank could likely hold more livestock. But depending on what species of clownfish you have determines how agressive they will be when they mature. Even the most docile clownfish will control almost all of the tank when mature. They will likely harass and kill any additional fish based on territorial aggression. If you have some of the more aggressive species even the current RG could be at risk.

02/15/2013, 12:59 PM	#7
Guygettnby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: FL Posts: 3,050	with a 30g tank and the fish you have right now. i wouldnt push it anymore. your filtration is not really the best, and all the fish you have now will grow. just keep in mind that everything needs room to grow in your tank and the bigger the clowns get they will get more agressive. you just need to think about the future.

02/15/2013, 03:43 PM	#8
Craigdillman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Lethbirdge Posts: 487	Ill have to convince the wife on a new tank then hey? Lol, yea if I do add anymore it would only be 1 more small fish. I've been good with water changes and I've never seemed to have a problem with water peramiters or quality, I use RO water and mixed salt from the LFS. What more would I need for filtration? I was told a skimmer isn't really nessisary for a 30 gallon if I am good with water changes