Stocking calculation

[Slaphppy7]

Hmmm, it's bit tricky phrasing it.

1 inch of fish per gallon when the fish are pencil shaped and grow no bigger than 3 inches

or

Each gallon can hold 1 inch of fish which are pencil shaped and grow no bigger than 3 inches.


So your 3 inch fish needs 3 gallons.




I agree, it's still not a very good rule

I agree, it's still not a very good rule.

That's why I'll never follow or suggest it

 

[Rocky998]

Me have headache now

 

[Slaphppy7]

Me have headache now

LOL.....ooops, sorry

I still advocate AqAdvisor, as a guide only, not gospel

http://www.aqadvisor.com/

 

[Rocky998]

LOL.....ooops, sorry

I still advocate AqAdvisor, as a guide only, not gospel

http://www.aqadvisor.com/

No problem, its fine. Do they underestimate or overestimate how many fish I could put in? I just want to know that way I can kinda have an idea

 

[Slaphppy7]

No problem, its fine. Do they underestimate or overestimate how many fish I could put in? I just want to know that way I can kinda have an idea

IMO, the tool underestimates a bit, but I tend to stock my tanks a bit heavily, so there's that...

 

[Rocky998]

IMO, the tool underestimates a bit, but I tend to stock my tanks a bit heavily, so there's that...

Ok. Thank you for your thoughts. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Ok. Thank you for your thoughts. I'll keep that in mind.

More than welcome.

 

[Uberhoust]

An opinion.

You are never going to get a rule that works in all cases, there are too many variables, the fishes metabolic rate, their mass vs length ratio, their behaviors, the type of food they eat... Additionally, you then have to consider, the water change schedule, the filtration, the water chemistry, dimensions of the tank etc. This to me is really where the interest in keeping fish comes from.

The rule is appropriate for a beginner who is starting with little information, not for many of the people on this forum. The rule is simply a baseline and a better one than the old ones we used to have (I have fish books that recommend 2" of fish per gallon). Often a suboptimal, good enough, solution is better than no guidance. Most people start raising fish without any guidance other than from the LFS (no data to back up this opinion).

Ideally one could provide beginner tables starting from two different starting points of combinations of fish and tanks that work together. The tables would start with "I have a tank with these dimensions, what can you put in it", or "I would like a tank with these fish what size do I need" The problem with that is that it would provide even more opportunity for more debate. The other problem is with convincing people that they shouldn't do what they want to do, there are always contrary examples.

The LFS's can be a problem too, recommending inappropriate fish, sometimes directly countering my concerns.

The AqAdviser is definitely not perfect but it is better than nothing. I think it is a good starting point for a lot of people.

 

[Rocky998]

An opinion.

You are never going to get a rule that works in all cases, there are too many variables, the fishes metabolic rate, their mass vs length ratio, their behaviors, the type of food they eat... Additionally, you then have to consider, the water change schedule, the filtration, the water chemistry, dimensions of the tank etc. This to me is really where the interest in keeping fish comes from.

The rule is appropriate for a beginner who is starting with little information, not for many of the people on this forum. The rule is simply a baseline and a better one than the old ones we used to have (I have fish books that recommend 2" of fish per gallon). Often a suboptimal, good enough, solution is better than no guidance. Most people start raising fish without any guidance other than from the LFS (no data to back up this opinion).

Ideally one could provide beginner tables starting from two different starting points of combinations of fish and tanks that work together. The tables would start with "I have a tank with these dimensions, what can you put in it", or "I would like a tank with these fish what size do I need" The problem with that is that it would provide even more opportunity for more debate. The other problem is with convincing people that they shouldn't do what they want to do, there are always contrary examples.

The LFS's can be a problem too, recommending inappropriate fish, sometimes directly countering my concerns.

The AqAdviser is definitely not perfect but it is better than nothing. I think it is a good starting point for a lot of people.

Thank you for all that input.

 

[itiwhetu]

I suppose just a little common sense is required. Rules like the 1inch per gallon is useful if you have a 70 gallon tank. On this site their will always be people who look for the extremes to prove things don't work. Any rule is a generalization.

 

[Harry213]

As a starting point the 1 inch per gallon works fine. I never include the tail. So it is body size.

Please, please, please DON"T follow this advice.. The "1 inch per gallon" is completely wrong, laughable, nonsense, anyone that any has fish keeping experience or any knowledge about fish at all knows this isn't correct even as a starting point. For a "starting point" use Aqadvisor, I've used it for years, it's not perfect but it will alert you of anything you're doing wrong. AND then do research learn about the specific fish you want to keep. The internet is full of forums and articles on specific fish, their behavior, needs, and requirements.

 

[Essjay]

The internet is full of forums and articles on specific fish, their behavior, needs, and requirements.

Anyone can set up a website and claim to be an expert with little or no real knowledge. Always choose which articles you read very carefully.

 

[Fishiemang]

Learn about the fish before you buy.

A 5 inch bristlenose pleco is gonna create a TON more waste than a 5 inch cichlid.

 

[Rocky998]

Please, please, please DON"T follow this advice.. The "1 inch per gallon" is completely wrong, laughable, nonsense, anyone that any has fish keeping experience or any knowledge about fish at all knows this isn't correct even as a starting point. For a "starting point" use Aqadvisor, I've used it for years, it's not perfect but it will alert you of anything you're doing wrong. AND then do research learn about the specific fish you want to keep. The internet is full of forums and articles on specific fish, their behavior, needs, and requirements.

Yah no... I wasnt gonna use the 1 inch per gallon rule... I do put my stocking ideas into aqadvisor just to see what it says. Also kinda an off topic question but can a pearl gourami live in a 20H with a few other small fish?

 

[Essjay]

I wouldn't keep a pearl gourami in a tnak less than 36 inches long - how long is a 20H?