how many fish can I stock?

ahullsb · 09/25/2006, 03:25 PM

I just purchased a 55 gallon tank fully established. I will add pics. It has about 50 pounds of live rock, and 60 pounds of live sand. There are various anenome, corals, 2 cleaner shrimp, 1 fire shrimp, one tiny boxer crab, and for fish a small blue tang and a goby. How much room do I have to add. How many fish could I add? I have been interested in a coral beauty or a flame angel, that I would purchase small I suppose. Should I get one and not both? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated....and I know they recommend about a fish per gallon, but I have seen people with much more than that.
As far as filtration I have about a 10-20 gallon sump, a protein skimmer etc. if that helps.

alkataz · 09/25/2006, 03:30 PM

The tang will soon be quite large and should be moved to a larger tank. The flame angel and coral beauty are know to nip at coral so if you are looking to keep any you should be aware of this.

alkataz · 09/25/2006, 03:32 PM

As for the fish per gallon rule I break this rule with both my tanks I think particularly my 180, but I use very good filtration and I am very careful about overfeeding and do regular water changes because I know that I am pushing the limits so I am dilegent when it comes to tank maintance. Is this your first tank?

ahullsb · 09/25/2006, 04:11 PM

Yes this is my first tank. I am going to wait a week or so I guess, because of the slight chemical imbalances. I have 3 cleaner shrimp and I think about 10 snails, and 10 little crabs. (tough to count them) Should I add more? The blue tang is about 3 inches I think. I like it but there are plenty of other fish that interest me also. I would like a few small fish, and like I said, hopefully a flame ange, coral beauty or both?

alkataz · 09/25/2006, 04:34 PM

The flame and coral can be aggressive so watch what you mix with them. And unless you are planning on upgrading soon the blue will soon outgrow the tank so it might be best to remove it now and start stocking with more permenant members.

alkataz · 09/25/2006, 04:36 PM

Do you like gobies or maybe a pair of clowns. Some wrasses stay small.

yoboyjdizz · 09/25/2006, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by alkataz
As for the fish per gallon rule I break this rule with both my tanks I think particularly my 180, but I use very good filtration and I am very careful about overfeeding and do regular water changes because I know that I am pushing the limits so I am dilegent when it comes to tank maintance. Is this your first tank?

I would throw out the fish per gallon rule...There are many other factors that come into play with selecting fish for your tank.. First size of your tank, (your tank is way too small for your blue tang ) what type of habitat your planning on keeping, ( reef, Fo, FOWLR ), what other fish you want to keep and so on...

I wouldn't add both the flame and coral beauty. Problems between the two are likly to happen in a tank that size. One or the other will work though.

yoboyjdizz · 09/25/2006, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ahullsb
. There are various anenome

Would love to see some pic's, also those anenomes could be pest that you will want to get rid of as soon as possible!

alkataz · 09/25/2006, 05:26 PM

I don't really go by the fish per gallon rule either because there are so many other contributing factors, but I was only speaking in terms of what ahullsb was saying. I did not mean to imply that it was okay to keep oversized fish in a small tank.

thor32766 · 09/25/2006, 06:18 PM

the best way to base an idea on is to check around and see what people have in their 55's and setups. a great skimmer and keep with a large bioload.

ahullsb · 09/25/2006, 11:37 PM

Thanks guys. I will post again when I have a better decision. The blue tang is a really cool fish, but I have heard from others also that this is not a fish for a 55 gallon. It's already at least 3-4 inches. Should I think about trading it in now?

ahullsb · 09/26/2006, 01:04 AM

I haven't really decided whether to go fish only or not. I am getting an impression from local aquariums that most of the cool looking, brightly colored fish are not reef safe...or need something bigger than 55 gallons. I will post some pics of the tank in a second, and maybe someone could help guide me in one way or another. Thank you!

ahullsb · 09/26/2006, 01:11 AM

ahullsb · 09/26/2006, 01:14 AM

Apostle · 09/26/2006, 01:51 AM

Thereâ€™s wealth of fish out there you could choose for a 55 gal. Iâ€™m pretty new to this myself and have a 60 gal. Iâ€™ve got a Flame Angel as my centre piece then an Anthias fish plus 2 clowns a firefish and a blenny. With the exception of the blenny they are all really colourful fish that would look great in any aquarium.

Try liveaquaria.com There you can look at all the different types of fish as well as read up their behaviour and the size tank you need.

alkataz · 09/26/2006, 12:50 PM

Yes liveaquria will give you a good list of fish and their requirements. They have some good pics too.

Kiel'thalin · 09/26/2006, 02:04 PM

It looks like you have made a fine purchase of a well established aquarium. Before you go further by added/removing anything in that tank, wait until you get a better understanding of the marine aquaria. Once you get a better understanding you will know what will work and what will not work in the tank. By that time you will probably have discovered a vast array of fish that are compatable in your tank and be a lot happier and not as limited to other reefer suggestions.
I would suggest setting up a quaratine tank now, so when you do introduce a fish, you can do it the right way. You never know what type of disease can be introduced and better safe than sorry.
The tank in your picture is a reef tank, so make your selection of fish to be are reef-safe. Most, if not all angelfish are not reef-safe including the Coral Beauty and the Flame Angel. You might get lucky and get one that leaves stuff alone, but I wouldn't risk it.
Sorry for the long post, I just want you to be happy with your new tank and discover for yourself the vast numbers of fishes you can place in the tank before rushing out and buying something you might regret later. Also, be mindful of how many fish you put in there, your filtration capacity can only take care of so much. Good Luck...

ahullsb · 09/26/2006, 06:45 PM

thanks a lot for the info. I am going to wait awhile before adding anything to my tank. And it's funny because the two fish I have been interested in are the flame angel and coral beauty! Any other suggestions for a fish that would work that is as cool looking as either of those two? And if anyone has time, I posted today because everything is starting to appear out of balance. The ammonia is at .5, nitrites 0, ph 8 and nitrates off the chart at 160. What should I do?

alkataz · 09/27/2006, 12:45 PM

Something might have died. Try doing a water change and see how that helps. What kind of filtration are you using? You might want to run some carbon.

cdentii1 · 09/27/2006, 01:23 PM

Do a large water change say 20-25% and prepare for another water change SOON it sounds like you are going through a mini-cycle from moving the tank, look for any die off and remove it asap also cut back on feeding(s) monitor your water especially ammonia morning and evening if they spike- preform another water change. Do not add anything to the tank for atleast 4-6weeks. Go slow...... research, research and research some more find the requirements of everything in the tank and make sure your set-up is compatiable if not trade them in to your LFS or fellow aquarists, never never never impulse buy anything without knowing their requirements and able to meet their demands first. Also make sure you have a GOOD protien skimmer and it is working properly. Form looking at your picks it is A very nice setup and you have made a good purchase soo many times aquarists fail and then give up on the hobby due to lack of knowledge or preparation, miss guidance, on so on what works for one may not work for another. So again REASEARCH everything everywhere and make a educated decision.

09/25/2006, 03:25 PM	#1
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	how many fish can I stock? I just purchased a 55 gallon tank fully established. I will add pics. It has about 50 pounds of live rock, and 60 pounds of live sand. There are various anenome, corals, 2 cleaner shrimp, 1 fire shrimp, one tiny boxer crab, and for fish a small blue tang and a goby. How much room do I have to add. How many fish could I add? I have been interested in a coral beauty or a flame angel, that I would purchase small I suppose. Should I get one and not both? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated....and I know they recommend about a fish per gallon, but I have seen people with much more than that. As far as filtration I have about a 10-20 gallon sump, a protein skimmer etc. if that helps.

09/25/2006, 03:30 PM	#2
alkataz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York Posts: 859	The tang will soon be quite large and should be moved to a larger tank. The flame angel and coral beauty are know to nip at coral so if you are looking to keep any you should be aware of this. __________________ Hungry for knowledge, please feed!! 180 + 65 sump 2x25" CPR HOB fuge Euro CS12-1 Ozonizer Korallin C 1502 Delta Star 1/3 hp 2x250W 65K Iwaski, 400W 10K Ushio, 2x160W URI Super Actinic Current Tank Info: 2 Black & White Percs, Fire Goby, 2 Golden Neon Goby, 2 Red Head Goby, Clown Goby, Royal Gramma, 2 Blue Favivertex Pseudochromis, 3 Filamented Flasher Wrasse, 2 Green Mandarin, 2 Banded Possom Wrasse, 3 Blue Green Reef Chromis, Group of Mollies

09/25/2006, 03:32 PM	#3
alkataz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York Posts: 859	As for the fish per gallon rule I break this rule with both my tanks I think particularly my 180, but I use very good filtration and I am very careful about overfeeding and do regular water changes because I know that I am pushing the limits so I am dilegent when it comes to tank maintance. Is this your first tank? __________________ Hungry for knowledge, please feed!! 180 + 65 sump 2x25" CPR HOB fuge Euro CS12-1 Ozonizer Korallin C 1502 Delta Star 1/3 hp 2x250W 65K Iwaski, 400W 10K Ushio, 2x160W URI Super Actinic Current Tank Info: 2 Black & White Percs, Fire Goby, 2 Golden Neon Goby, 2 Red Head Goby, Clown Goby, Royal Gramma, 2 Blue Favivertex Pseudochromis, 3 Filamented Flasher Wrasse, 2 Green Mandarin, 2 Banded Possom Wrasse, 3 Blue Green Reef Chromis, Group of Mollies

09/25/2006, 04:34 PM	#5
alkataz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York Posts: 859	The flame and coral can be aggressive so watch what you mix with them. And unless you are planning on upgrading soon the blue will soon outgrow the tank so it might be best to remove it now and start stocking with more permenant members. __________________ Hungry for knowledge, please feed!! 180 + 65 sump 2x25" CPR HOB fuge Euro CS12-1 Ozonizer Korallin C 1502 Delta Star 1/3 hp 2x250W 65K Iwaski, 400W 10K Ushio, 2x160W URI Super Actinic Current Tank Info: 2 Black & White Percs, Fire Goby, 2 Golden Neon Goby, 2 Red Head Goby, Clown Goby, Royal Gramma, 2 Blue Favivertex Pseudochromis, 3 Filamented Flasher Wrasse, 2 Green Mandarin, 2 Banded Possom Wrasse, 3 Blue Green Reef Chromis, Group of Mollies

09/25/2006, 04:36 PM	#6
alkataz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York Posts: 859	Do you like gobies or maybe a pair of clowns. Some wrasses stay small. __________________ Hungry for knowledge, please feed!! 180 + 65 sump 2x25" CPR HOB fuge Euro CS12-1 Ozonizer Korallin C 1502 Delta Star 1/3 hp 2x250W 65K Iwaski, 400W 10K Ushio, 2x160W URI Super Actinic Current Tank Info: 2 Black & White Percs, Fire Goby, 2 Golden Neon Goby, 2 Red Head Goby, Clown Goby, Royal Gramma, 2 Blue Favivertex Pseudochromis, 3 Filamented Flasher Wrasse, 2 Green Mandarin, 2 Banded Possom Wrasse, 3 Blue Green Reef Chromis, Group of Mollies

09/25/2006, 04:11 PM	#4
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	Yes this is my first tank. I am going to wait a week or so I guess, because of the slight chemical imbalances. I have 3 cleaner shrimp and I think about 10 snails, and 10 little crabs. (tough to count them) Should I add more? The blue tang is about 3 inches I think. I like it but there are plenty of other fish that interest me also. I would like a few small fish, and like I said, hopefully a flame ange, coral beauty or both?

09/25/2006, 05:26 PM	#9
alkataz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York Posts: 859	I don't really go by the fish per gallon rule either because there are so many other contributing factors, but I was only speaking in terms of what ahullsb was saying. I did not mean to imply that it was okay to keep oversized fish in a small tank. __________________ Hungry for knowledge, please feed!! 180 + 65 sump 2x25" CPR HOB fuge Euro CS12-1 Ozonizer Korallin C 1502 Delta Star 1/3 hp 2x250W 65K Iwaski, 400W 10K Ushio, 2x160W URI Super Actinic Current Tank Info: 2 Black & White Percs, Fire Goby, 2 Golden Neon Goby, 2 Red Head Goby, Clown Goby, Royal Gramma, 2 Blue Favivertex Pseudochromis, 3 Filamented Flasher Wrasse, 2 Green Mandarin, 2 Banded Possom Wrasse, 3 Blue Green Reef Chromis, Group of Mollies

09/25/2006, 06:18 PM	#10
thor32766 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chuluota, FL Posts: 6,072	the best way to base an idea on is to check around and see what people have in their 55's and setups. a great skimmer and keep with a large bioload. __________________ "Live your life so no one has to lie about who you were at your funeral" click on my red house to see my tang compound! Current Tank Info: 29 gallon in Wall!

09/25/2006, 11:37 PM	#11
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	Thanks guys. I will post again when I have a better decision. The blue tang is a really cool fish, but I have heard from others also that this is not a fish for a 55 gallon. It's already at least 3-4 inches. Should I think about trading it in now?

09/26/2006, 01:04 AM	#12
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	I haven't really decided whether to go fish only or not. I am getting an impression from local aquariums that most of the cool looking, brightly colored fish are not reef safe...or need something bigger than 55 gallons. I will post some pics of the tank in a second, and maybe someone could help guide me in one way or another. Thank you! __________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

09/26/2006, 01:11 AM	#13
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	__________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

09/26/2006, 01:14 AM	#14
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	__________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

09/26/2006, 01:51 AM	#15
Apostle Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Blackpool, England Posts: 56	Thereâ€™s wealth of fish out there you could choose for a 55 gal. Iâ€™m pretty new to this myself and have a 60 gal. Iâ€™ve got a Flame Angel as my centre piece then an Anthias fish plus 2 clowns a firefish and a blenny. With the exception of the blenny they are all really colourful fish that would look great in any aquarium. Try liveaquaria.com There you can look at all the different types of fish as well as read up their behaviour and the size tank you need.

09/26/2006, 12:50 PM	#16
alkataz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York Posts: 859	Yes liveaquria will give you a good list of fish and their requirements. They have some good pics too. __________________ Hungry for knowledge, please feed!! 180 + 65 sump 2x25" CPR HOB fuge Euro CS12-1 Ozonizer Korallin C 1502 Delta Star 1/3 hp 2x250W 65K Iwaski, 400W 10K Ushio, 2x160W URI Super Actinic Current Tank Info: 2 Black & White Percs, Fire Goby, 2 Golden Neon Goby, 2 Red Head Goby, Clown Goby, Royal Gramma, 2 Blue Favivertex Pseudochromis, 3 Filamented Flasher Wrasse, 2 Green Mandarin, 2 Banded Possom Wrasse, 3 Blue Green Reef Chromis, Group of Mollies

09/26/2006, 02:04 PM	#17
Kiel'thalin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Albany, Georgia Posts: 575	It looks like you have made a fine purchase of a well established aquarium. Before you go further by added/removing anything in that tank, wait until you get a better understanding of the marine aquaria. Once you get a better understanding you will know what will work and what will not work in the tank. By that time you will probably have discovered a vast array of fish that are compatable in your tank and be a lot happier and not as limited to other reefer suggestions. I would suggest setting up a quaratine tank now, so when you do introduce a fish, you can do it the right way. You never know what type of disease can be introduced and better safe than sorry. The tank in your picture is a reef tank, so make your selection of fish to be are reef-safe. Most, if not all angelfish are not reef-safe including the Coral Beauty and the Flame Angel. You might get lucky and get one that leaves stuff alone, but I wouldn't risk it. Sorry for the long post, I just want you to be happy with your new tank and discover for yourself the vast numbers of fishes you can place in the tank before rushing out and buying something you might regret later. Also, be mindful of how many fish you put in there, your filtration capacity can only take care of so much. Good Luck...

09/26/2006, 06:45 PM	#18
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	thanks a lot for the info. I am going to wait awhile before adding anything to my tank. And it's funny because the two fish I have been interested in are the flame angel and coral beauty! Any other suggestions for a fish that would work that is as cool looking as either of those two? And if anyone has time, I posted today because everything is starting to appear out of balance. The ammonia is at .5, nitrites 0, ph 8 and nitrates off the chart at 160. What should I do?

09/27/2006, 12:45 PM	#19
alkataz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: New York Posts: 859	Something might have died. Try doing a water change and see how that helps. What kind of filtration are you using? You might want to run some carbon. __________________ Hungry for knowledge, please feed!! 180 + 65 sump 2x25" CPR HOB fuge Euro CS12-1 Ozonizer Korallin C 1502 Delta Star 1/3 hp 2x250W 65K Iwaski, 400W 10K Ushio, 2x160W URI Super Actinic Current Tank Info: 2 Black & White Percs, Fire Goby, 2 Golden Neon Goby, 2 Red Head Goby, Clown Goby, Royal Gramma, 2 Blue Favivertex Pseudochromis, 3 Filamented Flasher Wrasse, 2 Green Mandarin, 2 Banded Possom Wrasse, 3 Blue Green Reef Chromis, Group of Mollies

09/27/2006, 01:23 PM	#20
cdentii1 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canton, OH Posts: 527	Do a large water change say 20-25% and prepare for another water change SOON it sounds like you are going through a mini-cycle from moving the tank, look for any die off and remove it asap also cut back on feeding(s) monitor your water especially ammonia morning and evening if they spike- preform another water change. Do not add anything to the tank for atleast 4-6weeks. Go slow...... research, research and research some more find the requirements of everything in the tank and make sure your set-up is compatiable if not trade them in to your LFS or fellow aquarists, never never never impulse buy anything without knowing their requirements and able to meet their demands first. Also make sure you have a GOOD protien skimmer and it is working properly. Form looking at your picks it is A very nice setup and you have made a good purchase soo many times aquarists fail and then give up on the hobby due to lack of knowledge or preparation, miss guidance, on so on what works for one may not work for another. So again REASEARCH everything everywhere and make a educated decision.