How many fish?

[FERG42995]

I am newly setting up my first salt water tank. With freshwater, the rule of thumb for the quantity of fish is to have 1 inch per gallon. Is it the same rule for a fish only (no coral) in salt-water? I am researching the fish that can live together happily and am taking note of their adult sizes in inches but don't know the limit. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Texreefer]

some people swear by that rule and others say it is way outdated,,, i say a liitle of both... it all depends on the type and amount of biological filtration and the physical constraints of the tank itself.. tell us a bit about the tank and filter system

[FERG42995]

Thanks! It is a 55 gallon, rectangular tank. The filtration is not the cannister kind but the bucket underneath that has the charcoal and the balls. You can tell I am new and don't know what it is called! I haven't yet purchased a protein skimmer but certainly will.

[Texreefer]

How much live rock? sounds like you will need to stick close to that rule for now,, at least until you get a skimmer and a good amount of live rock

[MKCindy]

I just read 1 inch per 2-3 gallons on salt water tanks.

[Texreefer]

WELCOME TO MAAST by the way!! :D

[FERG42995]

Thanks, everyone. I have a full tank of live rock and live sand. In fact, I have a little bit of rock that just doesn't fit in it. It was a used tank so it is good in that it is well on its way toward being ready for livestock. I am thinking 3 weeks to a month, I might be ready. And I will have a protein skimmer, snails, etc. before I buy fish.

[txstateunivreefer]

there are many methods to keeping your fish load within chemical reason LR, a fuge, wet dry and deep sand bed are all great ways to keep your water changes less frequent and allow you to pack your tank with more fish than the rule allows