Tank Stocking

[krisfal]

Lee,

Late last year I finally upgraded to a large tank (390g display, 100g sump - total water volume I estimate to be 417 gallons once you account for acrylic thickness, live rock and the fact that the sump is only partially filled)

As I do not plan to upgrade again I want to be very careful not to overstock this tank. It is an SPS reef tank, I aggressively skim, run carbon/GFO and ozone. I have aprox 400 lbs. of live rock. I do a 50g water change every week.

Inhabitants of the DT (390g): Desardjini (sp?), yellow and Naso Tang, Asfur angel, Flame angel, Tomato clown pair, False percola clown pair, dragon face pipefish, 2 yellow tail damsels, three stripe damsel, strawberry psuedochromis, lawnmower blenny, Toby the goby(forgot what type of goby, smaller shrimp goby), Seabae anenome and Long Tenacle anenome, 3 pistol shrimp and a pair of cleaner shrimp.

I struggle with knowing how much is too much when it comes to adding fish, I have read your post on stocking limits over and over but cannot seem to apply the concepts to my own tank.

So I would like to get your opinion. What would you consider my current bio load to be? Is it already heavily stocked? or do I have room for another fish or two.

My dream would be to add either a Moorish idol (but it may already be too aggressive for this, the tangs are rather aggressive eaters, although except for feeding time, the aggression I had before has disappeared-little to no aggression between the fish and my desardjini no longer attacks my gloved arm when in the tank) or an achilles tang.

If there is not room for a larger fish I was thinking to add a group of smaller wrasses.

I would appreciate your input on this as I am uncertian as to whether I can add anymore fish.

Let me know if there is anything else you need to know about my set-up or maintenance before giving me your opinion.

Thanks,

 

[leebca]

Usually, an SPS tank and heavily fish-stocked tank doesn't go well together. The problem is usually an excess of nitrates which most corals cannot handle.

If it wasn't for the need to control nitrates, that tank should handle about another three or four fishes that would not exceed about medium length (4-5") when fully matured. One very large fish would be okay. A dozen Chromis (school) would be okay. This should be a good handle on the range of possibles.

With regards to temperament and what goes with what, that will take research on your part. The Damsels (Anemonefishes, Damselfishes) will put the tank into an assertive attitude. The Desjardini will be a bully (if it one of the 'usuals' - especially to Tangs and an Idol).