Don't want to overstock

Thinking about future fish inhabitants...

I have a 55 gallon (48inch long). Hardware listed in sig.


I have

• 2 Osc Clowns (one big, one small; they're a couple)
• 1 Royal Gramma
• 1 Orange firefish.

So far, no issues.


What i want to add ((later, just planning out) and (in this order)) is a

• bicolor blenny
• wrasse (6-line or fairy)
• a swimmer of some sort (maybe a flame angel).

That's it. The additions would be over the next six months or so...

The 3reef calculator is telling me 13 inches. So my 'wish list' is past that...


I look at my clown and my firefish, for example, and while they are both about 3 inches (or will be) - I find it unlikely they are an equal 3 inches (in terms of load to the system). I'm thinking the firefish i have and the blenny I want are negligible when it comes to bio-load (?)

So part of me thinks this combination of fish would be OK in my setup... but I don't want to trust my own thinking here.

Also, as some of you know, I have a good sized CuC.

What do you think? Is my wish list too big, barely pushing it, probably OK, or fine?

Thanks

 

personally, I don't like those calculators, they can be a good guide line, but don't take into account many factors. You may want to get some more live rock so it can handle the bio load better. I also have a 55. I have had a clown, 6 line, yellow tailed damsel, yellow watchman and 3 chromis. Although my most recent disaster caused the 3 chromis to die along with other things, my future stock list involves a royal gamma and a coral beauty. So long story short, I think you should be ok.

 

This is a touchy topic. I think the most important factors to keep in mind are;

1. Can your filtration system handle the bio-load? You can have 20 fish in a 30g and have 0 in Nh3, No2 and No3.

2. Type of fish. There are some species that need room to swim and room to grow.

Bottom line is, you can have as many fish as you want, as long as your filtration system can handle it and if your choosing the right species. Just me 2 cents. Luna

 

Yes, I agree! That is why I posted the fish I want, etc. I think the husbandry of the listed fish are fine in my setup but wanted to get feedback first!

I need to finish mapping out my fish plans before I buy anymore.

FYI - my ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate are, and have been, reading 0 for quite some time. The firefish addition, so far, has not given me any upticks in readings.

My base rock is finally getting good color spots... so my LR is 'growing' in a sense...

 

bump

 

I have 2 yellow tail damsels, 1 scissortail goby, 1 lawnmower blenny, and 1 maroon clown in a 30. I have no issues. Skimmer pulls about 1/2 inch of brown / black gunk every other day, change filter sock every 2 or 3 days.

My anemones and other soft corals are doing great - my rocks have coralline started on them (along with algae ... doesn't bother me too much) - nitrates are at 10, tested 2 days ago.

I'm planning to add either a tricolor anthias or a ruby head wrasse when I find one I like. Perhaps will trade off the yellow tails, not sure - they have some personality (they enjoy digging, fun to watch, they started my cycle). Heavily stocked, but my water params are always solid and I'll be adding a fuge soon.

- Note - I have 50lbs of sand and roughly 45 pounds of live rock, and a skimmer rated for a 120 gallon tank. One powerhead chops the surface very well and my sump has a waterfall effect to help maximize gas exchange.