Stocking levels

[adampetherick]

For a 3000l (800gal)

Fish Name Common Name Max length (Inches) Stock Number Total lenth of stock (inches)
Rasbora Hetromorphia Rasbora 1.75 30 52.5
Puntius Tetrazona Tiger Barb 3 30 90
Puntius Tetrazona Green Tiger Barb 3 30 90
Chromobotia macracanthus Clown Loach 12 30 360
Botia Almorhae Yoyo Loach 5 6 30
Botia Striata Striped Loach 4 6 24
Botia Kubotai Polka-Dot Loach 5 6 30
Danio Choprai Glowlight Danio 1 30 30
0
Total Fish 168
Total Fish Length 706.5 "

Expert opinions please

[chefkeith]

I've been lurking through your threads for a few weeks now, but haven't said anything up until now. The 1st thing I'd like to say is that I'm sorry that most of this post is going to be way off topic.

Like you, I've been dreaming/planning to build a big tank/ pond of 500+ gallons (1900 l), but I’ve been planning for a few years now. One thing for certain that I've learned is that my plans are always changing. The more I plan the big tank the farther and farther it seems to get. In the meantime, I've settled for a tank set-up that is more suitable for myself and for my clowns. I don't know if you've seen my tanks before, but I have a multi-tank system utilizing water-bridges. Water-Bridges are water filled tunnels that allow fish to swim from tank to tank. My largest tank is 190g (720 l), the others are 95g (360 l), 90g (340 l), and 85g(322 l). The total volume of the system is about 480g (1805 l) and my fish do swim about in all 4 tanks using the bridges.

Random thoughts-
One thing you need to keep in mind if you do build a 800g tank, is that you should have a back-up plan and facility for all those fish in case if the tank fails or if there is a disease outbreak. Plastic tubs or trash cans make good temp tanks.

With a multi-tank system this is not a problem because each tank can easily be quarantined and if one tank fails, damage won’t be as severe.

Another thing is if you ever plan on moving, a large wood tank will probably need to be destroyed, but tanks under 200g (760 l) can easily be transported with the help of one person.

Also with a multi-tank system you can easily do a planted tank without having to worry about big clown loaches digging everything up. You can make a port hole in the water-bridges so that big clown loaches can’t swim to the planted tank, but other smaller fishes can.

I’ve been using water-bridges and have been expanding my multi-tank system for about 3 years now. My clown loaches will outgrow my current system in about 4-6 years. I think if I add 2 more 180g tanks, I won’t need to build a single 500g pond/tank for them in the future. I still would love to build a big tank if space permits and I can afford to do so, but that dream will remain a dream for now.

I’m not trying to discourage you from building the 800g tank, as I’d like to hear your construction ideas for it.

Sorry again for the off topic post. I just wanted to share some of my loach tank experience with you.


Now about stocking of a tank that size-
I’d definitely want some algae eating fish- maybe some Bristlenose Plecos..
I’d also want a dozen or so Kuhli Loaches.

Schools of Glolight Danio’s and Rasbora’s might not go well with 2 large schools of Tiger Barbs. Adult Male Barbs can get very mean.

I’m partial to Boesemani Rainbowfish as dither fish in a loach tank. These beautiful fish are peaceful, very hardy, long lived, and are somewhat easy to breed.

[Mad Duff]

Very impressive setup chefkeith, the algea on the bogwood looks great, what type is it?

[chefkeith]

Brush Algae I think.