Thanks Steelayer, but I didn't really give any advice other than; Think a bit about why you consider tanks too big/small...like many things in life, it has nothing to do with reason and logic, and everything to do with what is "normal".
THE BIG QUESTION: WHAT DETERMINES THE MINIMUM TANK SIZE???
- Thread starter Matt724
- Start date
I think about a few things when considering this question.
Is this the only fish in the tank or is he sharing the space with other(s)? If this is a schooling fish, do I have room for the whole school, as well as enough filtration?
What is the maximum adult size for this fish and can he stay in that tank for his whole life?
How much water will I be changing per week to keep nitrates below 20ppm? This will also be influenced by type of food fed, frequency of feeding required for that fish and how high its metabolism is.
I do like the standards of having the width of the tank be twice the length of the fish, and length at least four times as long as the fish, but that seems pretty small for some species that need room to wander and swim quickly. It also may be more than is necessary for many sedentary, stalking fish which only move when fed like Chaca chaca or frog fish.
Is this the only fish in the tank or is he sharing the space with other(s)? If this is a schooling fish, do I have room for the whole school, as well as enough filtration?
What is the maximum adult size for this fish and can he stay in that tank for his whole life?
How much water will I be changing per week to keep nitrates below 20ppm? This will also be influenced by type of food fed, frequency of feeding required for that fish and how high its metabolism is.
I do like the standards of having the width of the tank be twice the length of the fish, and length at least four times as long as the fish, but that seems pretty small for some species that need room to wander and swim quickly. It also may be more than is necessary for many sedentary, stalking fish which only move when fed like Chaca chaca or frog fish.
should websites give various recommended tank sizes depending on the size/age of the animal. For example:
***Data below is for example only, not meant to be taken literally
Oscar Astronotus ocellatus
And with schooling fish you are ALWAYS ONLY given the minimum tank size for 1 specimen. (i.e. neon tetra - 5 gallon) But how are you supposed to know the tank size for say 5 specimens? Most people (myself included) would say "Okay, 5 x 5 = 25; therefore, I need 25 gallons" but everyone knows that is completely false. So my recommendation is to have either a calculated formula to present the number of specimens and their corresponding tank size.
For example:
***Data below is for example only, not meant to be taken literally
Neon Tetra Paracheirodon innesi
f(n)=.5n+4, where f(n) is the gallonage, and n is the number of fish desired. (obviously it would probably have to a natural log equation, but you get the idea. plug in a number and get a list of values, etc)
Just some ideas to toss around - might make a new thread just for this is it doesn't get enough traffic.
***Data below is for example only, not meant to be taken literally
Oscar Astronotus ocellatus
- 1" - 10 gallon
- 3" - 20 gallon
- 5" - 30 gallon
- 7" - 40 gallon
- 10" - 55 gallon
- 12+" - 60 gallon
And with schooling fish you are ALWAYS ONLY given the minimum tank size for 1 specimen. (i.e. neon tetra - 5 gallon) But how are you supposed to know the tank size for say 5 specimens? Most people (myself included) would say "Okay, 5 x 5 = 25; therefore, I need 25 gallons" but everyone knows that is completely false. So my recommendation is to have either a calculated formula to present the number of specimens and their corresponding tank size.
For example:
***Data below is for example only, not meant to be taken literally
Neon Tetra Paracheirodon innesi
f(n)=.5n+4, where f(n) is the gallonage, and n is the number of fish desired. (obviously it would probably have to a natural log equation, but you get the idea. plug in a number and get a list of values, etc)
Just some ideas to toss around - might make a new thread just for this is it doesn't get enough traffic.
Better question:
Why is the most common practice to keep fish in the 'minimum tank size'?
Why not ask what fish you can provide excess space for with your given budget instead?
Fish per tank will vary by species. You need to account for bioload, physical size, swimming behavior and a host of other factors. There is no math forumula to solve it, there is no catchy phrase or limerick to help you give the entire world of fish a set rule on space. Instead use common sense, fish knowledge and research.
Why is the most common practice to keep fish in the 'minimum tank size'?
Why not ask what fish you can provide excess space for with your given budget instead?
Fish per tank will vary by species. You need to account for bioload, physical size, swimming behavior and a host of other factors. There is no math forumula to solve it, there is no catchy phrase or limerick to help you give the entire world of fish a set rule on space. Instead use common sense, fish knowledge and research.
Zoodiver;4051748; said:
the formula would obviously be fish species specific. an oscar and a neon tetra would not have the same formula.
i dont really care about stocking levels or what is accepted as compatible on text.
i have only 2 emperor 400's and a fluval 403 on a 125 with
2 flowerhorns, 1 jag, 1 tex, 1 sysnspilum, 1 blood parrot, 3 cons, 6 lilfali jewels, 1 rainbow shark, 1 golden algae eater, 1 syno eupterus, 9 african knives, 1 ram, 4 cory cats.
i overstocked with cichlids to spread aggression so now my original fish aren't picked on. i do water changes as needed. (usually 2-3 times a month) at about 1/3 with my python. i clean my filters out probably once every 2 months.
water crystal clear/fish have erect fins and are bright and healthy. everyone has plenty of territory and places to swim.
my fish dont die so i trade some in occassionaly if i want a "new look" lol.
i have only 2 emperor 400's and a fluval 403 on a 125 with
2 flowerhorns, 1 jag, 1 tex, 1 sysnspilum, 1 blood parrot, 3 cons, 6 lilfali jewels, 1 rainbow shark, 1 golden algae eater, 1 syno eupterus, 9 african knives, 1 ram, 4 cory cats.
i overstocked with cichlids to spread aggression so now my original fish aren't picked on. i do water changes as needed. (usually 2-3 times a month) at about 1/3 with my python. i clean my filters out probably once every 2 months.
water crystal clear/fish have erect fins and are bright and healthy. everyone has plenty of territory and places to swim.
my fish dont die so i trade some in occassionaly if i want a "new look" lol.
