Ideas needed for other fish to put in my tank.

[lherndo]

Ok, I've got a 55 gallon tank w/ wet/dry (I wish I had DSB ) with around 50 lbs of LR. I've got some snails and electric blue hermit crabs. I've got one Mollie who I couldnt' catch from my cycle crew, 5 small green/blue chromis', 2 small clown fish, and 1 3" LM Blennie. I'm adding a 2" Coral Beauty next week. And after that I dont' really know. I really wanted a Harlequin Tusk. They can sometimes be aggressive but the one at the LFS is sharing his tank with 5 small mollies and has not even thought about harrassing them so he may be ok, since I have a mollie in my tank. It may make him feel more comfortable. But my only concerns with him would be that he is so big and could easily eat the other fish if he wanted to, but it doesn't look like he wants to do that. The other would be concern over him eating the snails or crabs. The crabs are very small but the snails are fairly large.

I like lots of color with my fish. I know I can't have puffers, lionfish, tangs or triggers. I was just wondering if there are any other fish I may need to request that you don't see everyday in the LFS's, that may be nice. Thanks guys.

If the tusk won't work, some of the reef safe, peaceful Wrasses are very beautiful too

 

[DonW]

It sound like you like a over populated tank. If I counted right you have 9 soon to be ten fish in a 55g tank. I personally would empty the wet dry of all the media, and get a little more rock. Maybe trade in a few smaller fish and get something you like better.

Don

 

[Sealab2021]

that coral beauty will put you at/over the limit

 

[lherndo]

What's the limit?

Not that they're ever right but LFS said 1" per gallon. That sounds like a lot of fish, but I still only have around 6-7 inches of fish. I did miss judge my fish sizes. The 2 clowns are only 1" and the Chromys' are around 1/2" and the LM Blennie is 2"

 

[DonW]

Re: What's the limit?

Not that they're ever right but LFS said 1" per gallon. That sounds like a lot of fish, but I still only have around 6-7 inches of fish.

Its closer to 1" per ten gallons. I'm not sure what the real rule of thumb is but do know its not 1:1.
Its alot easier to put fish in slowly and monitor water quality. That lawnmower should grow to about 4" in a short time, they are pigs.

Don

 

[reedman]

Don makes a great point. The "inch per gallon" estimates are based on the full grown size, not what the fish is now.

Also, just because you can keep that many fish, doesn't mean it's a healthy environment that will allow them to thrive.

 

[DonW]

Well I think that may also be a old freshwater rule of thumb. It may also mean free swimming space. The truth is you really dont have 55g in 55g tank. I put a 40lb chunk of LR in a 35g Ice chest last night to cure and was surprised that it only took 6 gallons of water to fill it. So its always best to monitor water quality over time (long time) and go slow.

Don

 

[Beckmola24]

I read in one of my saltwater aquarium books that the rule of thumb for saltwater used to be (or is) 1" of fish for every 5 gallons. They said also that each fish contributed differently to the bio load. An inch of blenny wouldn't contribute nearly as much as an inch of coral beauty. I'm not sure if you can research how much bio load a fish creats but it may be worth looking into. Also you may want to watch the ammount of fish you put in because of aggression. I had to remove some fish from my tank due to aggression because of too little room.

 

[mattseattle]

and i thought having 5 fish in my 55 gallon tank was crowded. i have 2 clowns, yellow watchman goby, lawnmower blenny and a spotted mandarin. that is enough for the bioload of a 55 gallon i think.

maybe i am wrong!

 

[lherndo]

How often do you owners of 55 gallon tanks change your water?

I have two coworkers who have had saltwater for years now. They are really the only people I personally know who are into the saltwater hobby. Both have 55 gallon tanks. One had 12 fish and the other had 10 fish in his reef tank, that's with lots of coral and sponges. He did however change his water every 2 weeks.

 

[Ed Hahn]

I agree with Don on getting rid of bio balls from Wet and Dry. I would also recomend more Live Rock. But add live rock slowly and you will be Ok. This should increase your capability to add more fish. I also wonder which skimmer you are using? I would make sure your filter system could eliminate any chance of a hard amonia spike. Just remember not to over feed. If you add fish just remember one or two at a time. But make sure your filter system can handle the bioload. Prepare your tank before you add more fish. If your friends have more fish. I bet they have more filtration for their bioload. I would highly recomend a good skimmer and more Live Rock. I would listen to Don and make sure you have a good skimmer too.

 

[kevinpo]

The rule of thumb is 1" of fish for one gallon water for a freshwater tank.

For saltwater tanks it's 1" of fish for 5 gallons of water. IMO add the Coral Beauty and call it done for fish. Do a 20% water change every 3 weeks and monitor your nitrate levels (test once a week).

A few more invertebrates woud be OK (like a couple of cleaner shrimp).

HTH,
Kevin

 

[DonW]

The truth is, none of us really know enough about your system to make a informed decision. I personally dont like trickle fiters. But I do condone the use of ozone, to each his own. I dont like to do water changes so I set a limit on the fish in my tank. I like the idea of 20% every two months or so, as of right now thats about where I'm at.
You need to decide how often you want to do water changes. Can you afford to change your water every other week? Are you the type of persont that will do a battery of testing every week?
I personally think rules of thumb in general, as far as this hobby is concerned are much more costly financially.

Don

 

[lherndo]

Thanks alot guys for the info...

I personally look forward to doing water changes as well as testing my water. It truly has become my hobby. I also understand not to mess with it every day, and there is no such thing as a quick fix. I check on my fish, temp, look for signs of algae breakout, check the water level and check my skimmer daily. I usually do a water change of around 10 gallons every 2-3 weeks. My skimmer is a Sea Clone I believe, purchased from LiveAquaria.com. It works very well for me.

I did just add around 15-20 lbs. of dead rock that will turn into live rock in a few months right. It's at the bottom of the tank with the LR on top.

 

[Ray Pollett]

"I did just add around 15-20 lbs. of dead rock that will turn into live rock in a few months right. It's at the bottom of the tank with the LR on top."

It will form the bacteria as needed due to the bio-load. The rest comes slowly over time.

Ray