FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I agree that it's good to use it as a general guideline for stocking a tank but it also really depends on what you have in the tank. For example, most people who keep neon tetras overstock them quite a bit but they are much happier in a large school... we are thinking of setting up a 20g neon tank and I would probably put 25 in there with a small bottom feeder. Of course if I suggested that to someone entirely new to fishkeeping then that poor person would come home from the fish store with their new tank and 25 neons in a bag and be very sad when they were doing the back stroke in a short amount of time. So, the 1 inch per gallon rule, and teaching people about cycling and which fish are hardier needs to be passed on to new people. At least until they understand more about waste output and how much to feed and not to stock too many aggressive fish, etc.

By the way, I found this to be a very interesting post.
-Beth

i have about 60 inches of fish in my 29g tank, but they are mostly schooling fish that like more company, and the tank is heavily planted (plants absorb excess nutrients so i don't have to do daily water changes). my filterS (biowheel included) turn the tank over 13X an hour...i have a powerhead too.

I was talking to someone about stocking my 20 gallon and he said that the 1 inch rule or any rule doesn't apply to cories. Isn't that hard to believe???

[font color="#008000"]Thanks everyone.



I've gotten so far:

The 1 inch per gallon rule is-

1) A guideline
2) Prevents overstocking
3) Is good for beginning aquarists, but becomes usless with expirence
4) Works only with the fish's full grown adult size
5) Works only with smaller fish
6) Is NOT utterly useless


This bacically right?






Crispy[/font]

and personally, they were pretty harsh about telling me

Hun, don't worry. Here lately there seems to be a lot of rude replies. I think the hot weather is getting to people
Don't let it get to you. There's plenty of good people here to make up for their dumbness
Brandi

It's a good yardstick to use especially when one has just started out with the fishkeeping hobby. I won't say that it's the law of aquaria, but it helps to prevent overstocking.

Bleeder's Forum
http://silentlucidity.s10.forumsplace.com

I agree with lunker it is just a guideling and it is better than nothing at all!

I wouldnt call it completely worthless. The common fishkeeper who doesnt use boards like this or do their research needs some sort of guidline. Its better than nothing at all.

Most general rules or general guidelines are worthless, but if you don't know any better you have to start somewhere.

[font color="#008000"]Now, Is this rule really that bad if taken in GENERAL?

I've been criticized greatly by other members about using this rule, so I just wanted to speak out.

I'm not saying you can keep a 10" goldfish in a 10 gallon tank either.

It goes for small fish.

But apparently it's a HORRIBLE RULE THAT CAN NEVER BE USED.







[/end venting]




Crispy[/font]


[span class="edited"][Edited by Crispy 2004-07-02 11:40][/span]

[span class="edited"][Edited by Crispy 2004-07-02 11:41][/span]

[font color="#008000"]Right, that's what I was saying. And use the full grow adult size.

Thanks!





Crispy[/font]

I suppose it isn't THAT bad, it's just when newbies come in with a 2 inch oscar saying it only counts for 2 inches, or they have 1 inch left in their tank and want to squeeze in another fish that it is bad.

I personally use it as a quick guideline when other members ask for opinions on stocking. Mind you, these are usually community tanks with small fish. You just can't take it too literally, and if you use common sense it will all work out. Hopefully.

---

They shade the glow of it with their mossy-misty costumes,
They wear masks of silk, porcelain, brass, and silver,
So as not to mislead with their own, ordinary faces.

there is really no way to tell if your tank is overstocked or understock by a rule! see my lfs started this we will stock your tank for you well this was what they siad for a 20 gallon!

1 oscar

1 firemouth

2 severum

1 jack demesy

1 common plec


i mean talk about guidelins that is the stupidest guidelines i had ever seen!! and only for a 20 gallon i could understand 200 gallon! !

It's a guideline, and best used when first getting into the hobby. It gives a new person a way of gauging how much fish can go in the tank. I prefer to use the guideline of 12 square inches of surface area for each inch of fish (assuming it's a 3" fish or under), but you can see how this is a little wordy! Of course, there are lots of restrictions, too; Stock at half the limit when first setting up the tank; build up your stock slowly, not all at once; stock at a much lower limit for a hex tank; etc, etc. Just try not to take it too seriously, and as stated above, use your own experience and judgement.

I consider it a guideline, not a rule. It has it's many exceptions, but it's intent is good in that it tries to discourage overstocking, particularly with new and inexperienced aquarists.

But as in many aspects of fishkeeping, different circumstances call for different guidelines. It is the responsibility of the fishkeeper to research those guidelines and decide which are best for their tanks.

[font color="#008000"]I've been told that there are too many exceptions for the rule to be worth using as a GENERAL rule of thumb.


(and personally, they were pretty harsh about telling me]







Crispy[/font]

So are you a strict follower of this rule or someone who believes that a little overstocking is ok as long as you manage the water quality properly? I've been curious about how fair this rule is, especially for smaller fish such as white clouds. Some people have told me one inch of fish per one gallon of water; some have told me up to 10 white clouds per gallon is fine.... very confusing