interesting question for you

[kydsexy]

this is also posted in new reefkeepers

ok here is some trivia for all my fish experts and aquarium analysts out there. so if you read my profile you would find out that i have a 20 gallon long nano without a sump right now but had an interesting question. I tried this on a freshwater system before, but if I was to add an 100 gallon sump to this tank, would i be able to "overstock" the tank with livestock? Meaning, right now I have 2 firefish. Would i be able to add 2 clownfish, a blenny, a goby, more snails etc. Not so much that it would crowd the tank, but more than what a normal 20L would be able to handle. I was wondering because I work at a petco and every year theres a dollar/gallon sale and was thinking about investing in another large tank for the house and a large sump/display tank would be really nice. Do you think this is fine for saltwater? Will it work? Thanks for any advice. Please add in why you think it will/wont work with logical answers. Thank you again.

 

[trido]

Seems kind of odd that you wouldnt turn the 20 into a sump and use the 100 as a display. That is what 99.9% of people would do.

 

[kydsexy]

haha trido, i understand that. this was more of a curiousity/experience question. I already have a 75 and a 90 set up but i dont even like those. I love the shape of the 20 long more than any other tank, and I am thinking of custom building a tank out of an old dresser. (lol dont worry, ive done it many times before with success ) what do you think about the idea of it tho? using 100 gallons as a sump.

 

[trido]

I personally think it would be cruel to put that many fish into such a small tank. Your talking about 6 fish in a 20G. I only have 8 in my 120. They would likely start killing each other off for territorial reasons if not get stressed and die from disease, lack of proper nutrition, etc.....

 

[Len]

With the fish you're interested in, it's possible. But it does seem odd

FWIW, the reason why I specifically mention your fish is because those listed aren't very active swimmers or aggressive. A 120 gallon total volume will support much more fish, but the confined 20 gallon physical dimensions will be the limiting factor for what fish you can get (and how many).