Fish stocking the backwards way

[Kaity]

Ok so I'm sure we can all agree there are some very different ideas about stocking rates. So for fun I wanted to do this backwards. I'm going to list my stocking and you should tell me how many US gallons I should have. I think it might be more fun to show the range of opinions this way. The idea is to list a permanent tank size not a temporary grow out tank size.

So.. ideal stocking
5 Paradise fish
20 ish long fin danios
3 weather loaches currently 6 inches not golden's. The big natural colored ones.
10 or so fathead minnows rosy red form
7 panda garra
Trapdoor snails


For the sake of the game consider the tank is excessively filtered. More interested in how much room these fish need to thrive. What size and shape tank would you use.

 

[Batmantheanglefish]

I’m not the best at this but around 50-60 gallons maybe? It’s a lot of fish so that’s why I’m going to say a larger tank for sure.

 

[BigManAquatics]

I would say 55 or 75. Just because the current length of the loaches!

 

[SouthAmericanCichlids]

I would say a 40 breeder, as it's a lower tank, and you've got a lot of bottom dwellers and top dwellers. Or possibly a 55g.

 

[fallfever]

I'm going with a minimum 55, preferably 75 and really good filtration. As said above, the length would be a big deal. Now go get the tank and do it so we know how right we are

 

[Kaity]

Thanks all.... I was going to wait to chime back in untill there were more replies but sounds like I am maybe more understocked than I was thinking.

I'm at 100 gallons currently in the fish tank and I could and would like to add another 50 gallons to bring the water height up in the current tank but haven't yet as I barely ever register nutrients and the point of this tank is to help me fertilize plants so..I'm dying to see a test vial turn orange .. Now the fun part what do I add next.

Oh and yes everything is cycled that's not the reason. For low nutrient the excessive filtration is.

Tank parameters... Cold very cold 48-68 degrees fahrenheit changes seasonally, low ph but it does swing as is the case when you manage water for plant growth 6.2 to 6.8.

high light only in one area, lots of driftwood, duckweed and salvinia, regular water testing with api freshwater master kit. Rarely if ever practice tank side wall cleaning... I think I've vaccuum it once since January. Substrate is a shallow mix of peat and soft fine sand. Filtering is complicated and excessive it includes aquaponics deep water culture tank, sponge filter, external canaster and huge barrel thingy that sperates out sediment. Total gallons in full system is 300.

So what would you add. Anything new or just up my numbers?

Thanks all.... I was going to wait to chime back in untill there were more replies but sounds like I am maybe more understocked than I was thinking.

I'm at 100 gallons currently in the fish tank and I could and would like to add another 50 gallons to bring the water height up in the current tank but haven't yet as I barely ever register nutrients and the point of this tank is to help me fertilize plants so..I'm dying to see a test vial turn orange .. Now the fun part what do I add next.

Oh and yes everything is cycled that's not the reason. For low nutrient the excessive filtration is.

Tank parameters... Cold very cold 48-68 degrees fahrenheit changes seasonally, low ph but it does swing as is the case when you manage water for plant growth 6.2 to 6.8.

high light only in one area, lots of driftwood, duckweed and salvinia, regular water testing with api freshwater master kit. Rarely if ever practice tank side wall cleaning... I think I've vaccuum it once since January. Substrate is a shallow mix of peat and soft fine sand. Filtering is complicated and excessive it includes aquaponics deep water culture tank, sponge filter, external canaster and huge barrel thingy that sperates out sediment. Total gallons in full system is 300.

So what would you add. Anything new or just up my numbers?

Oh oh oh tank measures 4.5 feet long way

 

[SouthAmericanCichlids]

I don't know too much of coolwater fish types limited to that goldies and danios. I wouldn't add goldies but you could add some leapord danios.

Edit: Sorry, I forgot danios were on your list Kaity

 

[Kaity]

I don't know too much of coolwater fish types limited to that goldies and danios. I wouldn't add goldies but you could add some leapord danios.

Yup that was the likely direction I was headed...

Unless someone miraculously suggested the zebra loaches I am dying for a school of, but I think it might just be too cold and more spotted danios do sound lovely.