FishProfiles.com Message Forums

What is the correct formula for inches to gallons?


Example: 10 inches of fish per How many gallons?

I would like to know this also.

Supposedly it is one inch of fish per gallon, but this definitely vaires from fish to fish.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

It used to be considered that it was 1"/1 gal, but that formula's rather outdated because some fish have MUCH larger bioloads than others. 18 1" Neon Tetras don't produce as much ammonia as 1 18" Common Pleco. Instead, you should just use it as a little bit of a guide while examining the fishes' other needs, such as swimming room, waste production, and compatibility...

PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.

Billy is right, the inch per gallon stocking rule doesn't work all the time, but as for smaller fish (usually between the 1 to 3 inch range), it works fine. Of course along with swimming room, waste production, and compatibility limiting the rule, you can also stretch the rule with filtration, plants, and water changes.

Blackshark55

I honestly dont think there is a true and correct answer for that one. I think the more answers you get the more confused you will become.

Reasons being. Tank size, type/size of fish, plants, filtration, air and water movement, and how you look after your tank and do all the maintainance regually and correctly (that becomes another issue)

To put it plainly too many variations to give a correct answer.

There is however a suitable answer common sence, and good house/keeping methods.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Another reason that rule doesn't work is that you could put a 10 inch oscar in a ten gallon tank.

I jsut remembered this rule that I thought of that really helps and usually you can't go wrong with it:

1 inch per gallon, and about 10 gallons per inch of the largest fish going in the aquarium. That way, you usually wont get an aquarium too small. I know that it does have its problems, but look at it this way: You can always get a big aquarium with this rule.