How overstocked am I?

[Teeb]

I have a 75g tank with around an extra 20g in the sump/fuge running an older octo 90g skimmer. I really don't want to pass up the smoking deal that R2U has on a pair of Helfrechi's, but I know there's a little too much life in the tank right now.

Fish in the tank are:

2 Percs ~1.5"
2 Black Percs ~2"
1 Scopas Tang ~4"
1 Kole Tang ~3"
1 Coral Beauty ~3.5"
1 Pygmy Angel ~1.5"
1 Red Coris Wrasse ~4"
1 Lawnmower Blenny ~2.5"
1 Watchman Goby ~2"
1 Flame Hawkfish ~2"
1 Copperband Butterfly ~4"
1 Green Chromis ~1.5"


I think I need a bigger skimmer.

[Europhyllia]

holy cow
here's what I have in my 125g with a 50g sump:

pair of ocellaris clowns
pair of mandarins
1 pygmy goby (stay under 1")
5 PJ cardinals
1 blue/gold blenny (stay under 2")
1 midas blenny

...and I was thinking I was getting up there! lol

[RayAllen]

If you are asking this question you already know you are overstocked. Id say you need a bigger tank before you get a bigger skimmer.

[Kristy]

Best guess: probably by three or four fish.

[cyrus]

whos R2U?

[Teeb]

Yeah, I know...unfortunately tank upgrade isn't happening until next year.

[Teeb]

whos R2U?

Reef2U...since I can't pick them up, I'll share. He's letting the pair go for $130, a little less than a single one generally goes for.

[txmaverickmh]

I dont think you are overstocked if you get a heavy duty skimmer, but thats just my humble opinion...I have a very stocked 40g, but I also have a skimmer that is rated for a 175gal...my water parameters are always tight, and for the most part, my fish are always well behaved...I am sure I am about to ignite the fish watchers, but I think each case varies in itself.

Besides, Hellfrichi Firefish, I have a pair myself, are very small, and if they get along with each other, they are very calm towards other fish.

mh

[Europhyllia]

I think psychological overstocking is probably more of a challenge to avoid than pure physical overload. I mean you can always dedicate your life to water changes etc. ;)

A few months ago I added a Kole tang. Those don't get very large. Physically it should have fit fine into my setup. But it just upset the balance in my tank. Previously happy fish were miserable and not displaying their full repertoire of natural behavior anymore.

That one little Kole was just too much although filtration wise it would have been fine.

[Kristy]

Yeah, I based my comment less on the number of fish and more on the types of fish you are mixing together...

4 clowns = turf wars
2 tangs
2 angels

I understand that you can push it but this seems like a lot to me in a 75g.