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chickenghost
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I am aware that the inch per gallon rule is incorrect, and out of curiosity, is there any rule of stocking that actually works?
And TexasDomer is a sheLorekeeper said:There really aren't any rules that are accurate.
Like @BottomDweller said, there are a few stocking guidelines you can keep in mind for certain tank sizes, and adjust from there, but it usually comes down to what you feel is correct.
On this forum, we generally tell everyone to go extremely light on stocking, which is a good thing. It keeps our tanks more stable and in good shape for a long time.
On other forums, you may see heavier stocking recommendations or even people saying that shrimp can't even live in tanks smaller than 2 gallons (this isn't an exageration)
It's experience that dictates good stocking. If TexasDomer comes into a thread, I'm going to listen to him, cause he usually knows exactly what he's talking about.
Thanks for the correction!aquatickeeper said:And TexasDomer is a she
Couldn't have said it better.BottomDweller said:Not really. It depends on many things including temperament, schooling, activity, area of tank they swim in, bioload and more.
That's okay. I thought you were a she until you said you were just a Kentucky boy, then I checked your profileLorekeeper said:Thanks for the correction!
Guess I never paid attention. Sorry!
Wow, thanks!AngelTheGypsy said:That's okay. I thought you were a she until you said you were just a Kentucky boy, then I checked your profile
What kind of 2 inch fish? And the footprint of the tank?chickenghost said:OK, for an example, how many 2 inch fish could one stock in, say a 30 gallon?
Oh ok. Thanks for the clarification.Anders247 said:Sometimes people refer to 29s as 30s, which are 30 by 12, 30 longs are 36 by 12.
People on this forum stock MUCH more heavily than the inch-per-gallon rule. The inch-per-gallon rule for small fish, and half-inch-per-gallon rule for full-bodied fish, is a good way to estimate bioload (but only bioload) for beginners or busy people who may not always be on top of water changes. It is generally much more conservative than the suggestions on here. (But it is still not conservative enough when you start looking at fish over 6" or so.)Lorekeeper said:On this forum, we generally tell everyone to go extremely light on stocking, which is a good thing. It keeps our tanks more stable and in good shape for a long time.
It's been established that the inch per gallon (or half inch) is innacurate... I wouldn't even consider it okay to use for a guideline.vikingkirken said:People on this forum stock MUCH more heavily than the inch-per-gallon rule. The inch-per-gallon rule for small fish, and half-inch-per-gallon rule for full-bodied fish, is a good way to estimate bioload (but only bioload) for beginners or busy people who may not always be on top of water changes. It is generally much more conservative than the suggestions on here. (But it is still not conservative enough when you start looking at fish over 6" or so.)
But as others have said, bioload isn't the only consideration in stocking a tank.
Your original post was saying that people on this forum stock very lightly and therefore, create more stable tanks than any rules. I was simply pointing out that from a bioload perspective, which is what drives water quality and stability, that isn't true.Lorekeeper said:It's been established that the inch per gallon (or half inch) is innacurate... I wouldn't even consider it okay to use for a guideline.
People here stock much heavier than the rule recommends, but if the rule is absolutely useless, using that comparison is pretty null.