Temperature dependent aquarium stocking limits?

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lujor

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 8, 2007
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Does anyone know a "rule of thumb" for how temperature affects freshwater tropical stocking limits? Yes, I know that warmer water contains less dissolved oxygen than colder water. And just like everyone else I have read & heard about the "inch of fish per 12 square inches of surface area" rule and the "inch of fish per gallon" rule. I also know that these are generalized guidelines that vary from tank to tank. I ALSO know that I have frequently cited these "rules" as an excuse to add a fish to a tank. Soooo, anyone ever heard of any generalized rules about how temp affects stocking limits? Or even how temp affects the OTHER "rules of thumb?" ie. All else being equal, how many more fish inches can I cram into a tank at 70degrees than 82?
[I have accepted that I am a chronic overthinker. I can make anything more complicated than it needs to be. Maybe I should start a club or a support group, OR...]
 
Doesn't matter the temp. A 125 for example can hold x amount of fish at 70F or 82F. Not X at 70F then X+5 at 82F.
 
packer43064;4245369; said:
Doesn't matter the temp. A 125 for example can hold x amount of fish at 70F or 82F. Not X at 70F then X+5 at 82F.

I hate math, but i like that equation :)
 
packer43064;4245369; said:
Doesn't matter the temp. A 125 for example can hold x amount of fish at 70F or 82F. Not X at 70F then X+5 at 82F.

Do you mean X at 70F then X-5 at 82F to compensate for less dissolved oxygen in the water?
 
Citrinellus;4245460; said:
Do you mean X at 70F then X-5 at 82F to compensate for less dissolved oxygen in the water?

Not at all.

Add some airstones or add a filter that tumbles water on the surface. Problem solved.
 
packer43064;4245563; said:
Not at all.

Add some airstones or add a filter that tumbles water on the surface. Problem solved.

In your original equation though you added 5 fish to a higher temp with less dissolved water. But shouldn't you have subtracted 5 to compensate for the less air? Hmm, maybe I'm seeing this wrong.

Also, I agree with your point of just adding surface agitation of the water.
 
Citrinellus;4245571; said:
In your original equation though you added 5 fish to a higher temp with less dissolved water. But shouldn't you have subtracted 5 to compensate for the less air? Hmm, maybe I'm seeing this wrong.

Also, I agree with your point of just adding surface agitation of the water.


packer43064;4245369; said:
Doesn't matter the temp. A 125 for example can hold x amount of fish at 70F or 82F. Not X at 70F then X+5 at 82F.

So not 6 Oscars at 70F then 11 Oscars at 82F if were just factoring in the temp increase. Essentially it doesn't matter the temp increase. I guess it could matter at that large gap but with airstones and surface agitation it won't.
 
packer43064;4245563; said:
Not at all.

Add some airstones or add a filter that tumbles water on the surface. Problem solved.

I was asking if there would be a limit difference with everything else the same. If u had same exact setup but temps that were 10-15 degrees dif, could u theoretically add more fish?
 
lujor;4245336; said:
Does anyone know a "rule of thumb" for how temperature affects freshwater tropical stocking limits? Yes, I know that warmer water contains less dissolved oxygen than colder water. And just like everyone else I have read & heard about the "inch of fish per 12 square inches of surface area" rule and the "inch of fish per gallon" rule. I also know that these are generalized guidelines that vary from tank to tank. I ALSO know that I have frequently cited these "rules" as an excuse to add a fish to a tank. Soooo, anyone ever heard of any generalized rules about how temp affects stocking limits? Or even how temp affects the OTHER "rules of thumb?" ie. All else being equal, how many more fish inches can I cram into a tank at 70degrees than 82?
[I have accepted that I am a chronic overthinker. I can make anything more complicated than it needs to be. Maybe I should start a club or a support group, OR...]


When it comes to the temperature affecting the fish, one thing comes in mind->BREEDEING........I found that raising the temperature with some of my fish will influence them to breed.........
 
All this is just hypothetical. I always try to understock based on adult size using some aproximation of inch of fish per 12square inch of surface area rule. All that combined with 10+ times aqurium vol turnover per hour filtration & frequent large water changes.
 
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