I have a 90 gallon FOWLR. Right now i have 3 green chromis, 2 true perc clownfish, lawnmower blenny, yellow watchman goby, royal gramma and purple firefish. I wanted to get a foxface lo, flame angel, filament flasher wrasse and a mandarin when my tank is well established. Could i get those fish for my tank with the ones i already have or no?
Am i over my max on fish for a 90?
- Thread starter jfingers8
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Most Rabbitfish will grow large and quickly. The Foxface is one of them.
Without really understanding the system you have setup, it is not easy to estimate its ability to handle a biological load. In my way of thinking it should (if it were a 'normal' or 'average' FOWLR system) handle about 18 bio-load units.
Current stock:
Each Chromis takes up 1 unit.
Each Anemonefish will need 2 units.
The Blenny needs 2.
Goby needs 1.
Gramma needs 1.
Firefish needs 1.
Proposed fish:
Foxface (not a good choice for that size tank) will require 4 units.
Flame 2 or 3
Mandarin 1 or 2
Wrasse about 3.
Do the math.
Without really understanding the system you have setup, it is not easy to estimate its ability to handle a biological load. In my way of thinking it should (if it were a 'normal' or 'average' FOWLR system) handle about 18 bio-load units.
Current stock:
Each Chromis takes up 1 unit.
Each Anemonefish will need 2 units.
The Blenny needs 2.
Goby needs 1.
Gramma needs 1.
Firefish needs 1.
Proposed fish:
Foxface (not a good choice for that size tank) will require 4 units.
Flame 2 or 3
Mandarin 1 or 2
Wrasse about 3.
Do the math.
ilektrik22
Well-known member
Sorry to tag along.
Where do you get this bioload unit calculations? I would be interested in figureing it out for my system.
Where do you get this bioload unit calculations? I would be interested in figureing it out for my system.
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It's a (semi-complex) system I developed based upon the system features; and the sub-adult nitrogen waste production of the marine fish.
As far as jfingers8 system goes, I'm unsure it can truly support the bio-load I assumed.
As far as jfingers8 system goes, I'm unsure it can truly support the bio-load I assumed.
ilektrik22
Well-known member
Lee would you be able to do the calculaton for me?
I'm looking to add the last few fish/shrimp to my system and want to make sure that there is "room" for them, space wise there will be because of there different habits.
Tanks as of now
30g high, 40 lbs sand, 50 lbs of rock
20g of water in fuge(25g tank), 20 lbs of sand, 15 lbs of rock, lots of cheatos, mangrove, misc. macro algeas.
Aqua Remora pro skimmer ( any more info that you need?)
2x High-fin gobies
1x Tiger pistol shrimp
1x Hector's goby
2x Ocellaris clown
1x Cleaner (skunk) shrimp
1x Clam(3.5 inch)
I was interested in adding:
1x Clown goby
3x Sexy ( anenome) shrimp
2x Randals pistol shrimp to fuge ( for their sand stirring)
and possibly and anenome for the clowns
Mixed LPS, some softies. ( I don't target feed any of my corals)
I'm not sure if shrimp count in these types of things, Nitrates 2.5 ppm( has always been at this level, even before corals and fish added)
thanks
Yvonne
I'm looking to add the last few fish/shrimp to my system and want to make sure that there is "room" for them, space wise there will be because of there different habits.
Tanks as of now
30g high, 40 lbs sand, 50 lbs of rock
20g of water in fuge(25g tank), 20 lbs of sand, 15 lbs of rock, lots of cheatos, mangrove, misc. macro algeas.
Aqua Remora pro skimmer ( any more info that you need?)
2x High-fin gobies
1x Tiger pistol shrimp
1x Hector's goby
2x Ocellaris clown
1x Cleaner (skunk) shrimp
1x Clam(3.5 inch)
I was interested in adding:
1x Clown goby
3x Sexy ( anenome) shrimp
2x Randals pistol shrimp to fuge ( for their sand stirring)
and possibly and anenome for the clowns
Mixed LPS, some softies. ( I don't target feed any of my corals)
I'm not sure if shrimp count in these types of things, Nitrates 2.5 ppm( has always been at this level, even before corals and fish added)
thanks
Yvonne
Corals create very little to almost zero nitrogen wastes. Invertebrates that are mobile do create nitrogen wastes, but not nearly like fish do.
The 'problem' with the aquarium is its shape. Most mobile marine life don't move up and down -- they move horizontally. A shallow display of the same volume will accommodate a higher bio-load, and it will accommodate more life by virtue of a larger 'footprint.'
You've provided enough information about your system for me to say that it has a relative bio-load capacity of about 9 units. This is assuming one bit of info not provided -- the flow/turnover rate is over 8 system volumes per hour.
The Gobies will take about 1 unit each.
For every two shrimp, allot 1 unit.
Each Anemonefish will take 2.5 units, however a mated pair should be in no less a space than a standard or short 45 gallon display aquarium.
The clam is negligible.
From the above you should be able to calculate the answer to your question. :|
The 'problem' with the aquarium is its shape. Most mobile marine life don't move up and down -- they move horizontally. A shallow display of the same volume will accommodate a higher bio-load, and it will accommodate more life by virtue of a larger 'footprint.'
You've provided enough information about your system for me to say that it has a relative bio-load capacity of about 9 units. This is assuming one bit of info not provided -- the flow/turnover rate is over 8 system volumes per hour.
The Gobies will take about 1 unit each.
For every two shrimp, allot 1 unit.
Each Anemonefish will take 2.5 units, however a mated pair should be in no less a space than a standard or short 45 gallon display aquarium.
The clam is negligible.
From the above you should be able to calculate the answer to your question. :|
ilektrik22
Well-known member
Thanks
My clowns are around the 1.5 inch mark and I am planning on upgrading to a larger tank once we move ( but first we need to buy a house ).
After buying the tall tank ( originally wanted seahorses but then decided against that) I do wish I bought a standard one, but I've learned.
( oh flow is about 1200gph not including HOB skimmer)
Just out of curiosity how can you incease bio-load capacity ( other then getting a new tank).
Thanks again
My clowns are around the 1.5 inch mark and I am planning on upgrading to a larger tank once we move ( but first we need to buy a house
). After buying the tall tank ( originally wanted seahorses but then decided against that) I do wish I bought a standard one, but I've learned.
( oh flow is about 1200gph not including HOB skimmer)
Just out of curiosity how can you incease bio-load capacity ( other then getting a new tank).
Thanks again
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Your system is at the top end of maximizing its bio-load capacity. Although you might increase its capacity, still there is the limiting effect of dimension -- living space.
An increase in bio-load capacity would require additional biological filtration (canister, trickle, etc.); mechanical; and chemical filtration.
An increase in bio-load capacity would require additional biological filtration (canister, trickle, etc.); mechanical; and chemical filtration.
Scooterman
Well-known member
You can have extraordinarily cleaning habits, replace water & remove detritus more. This to be effective would be almost a doubling your already WC's! We have a guy here that replaces over %100 of his water weekly to keep his tank pristine! I think Lee has given you good information, It is a shame to overcrowd a small glass box & eventually hurt or kill fish needlessly, It is an embarrassment to our Hobby.
DonW
R.I.P.
I'm the doubting thomas. There is no possible way the question can be answered by anyone but the keeper of the tank. We can make statements about the morility issues regarding keeping to many fish in one box, again that a personal opinion. As far as what it can handle for a bioload only the tank manager can answer that question.
Don
Don
DonW
R.I.P.
Again only you can answer that question. Look at your water parameters. Are they good 0 nitrates 0 nitrites 0 ammonia?
Don
DonW
R.I.P.
DonW
R.I.P.
Pretty much. Only you will know if the system is declining to to excess load or lack of maintenance.
Don
Scooterman
Well-known member
But Don that won't happen over night, he should run that tank a while with the added fish first, give it some time then test, your not going to build up noticeable problems instantly & at some point in the future when these fish get bigger your again could have problems so you push your limits you should test them regular! I don't agree with just dumping them in testing then adding more with so many already there, that is misleading to say the least!
DonW
R.I.P.
I wasnt telling him to throw in a fish and just do a test and throw in another ten minutes later.
there is some common sense involved here. I'm giving him the credit of having just that, common sense. He already has these fish and I assume they werent just put in there this morning. His levels look good so hes fine just that simple. Does he need to watch the levels, ya thats sort of common sense we all do. Will the fish grow, also common sense. Can he increase water changes as the fish grow, again comon sense. Bottom line is only the keeper will know the answer. Only the keeper will know how much effort he or she is willing to put into keeping conditions acceptable. There is no formula I dont care what sort of mathmatition you are. Hell I cant even spell it, but have the common sense to understand it. Don
Scooterman
Well-known member
Key is common sense but some people don't have that experience & are relying on you for that information so don't take that for granted, no offense to anyone but unless you know the person your advise should be through enough & clear, that is all I was pointing out! Also we have two people asking questions so that helps everyone.
Also we have two people asking questions so that helps everyone.
