Bioload for 8G Cube

[Hulzare]

Hello everyone,

I’m currently running an 8Gal cube tank with Dymax clearmix and sponge filter, and an EHeim compact 600.

I do weekly 15-20% water changes, and have nitrates sitting around 10-20ppm.

My LFS recently gave me two small juvenile ocellaris clowns as they had overstocked, and they are doing well in the tank. I currently have two turbo snails, two bumble bee snails, and one Halloween hermit crab.

Does this sound like too much bio load? I was considering taking the hermit or snails in to lower the load with the clowns. I’ve had the clowns for a month and nitrate has been stable, ammonia and nitrites at 0.

Hoping to upgrade when they get a bit bigger next year.

 

[Fish Fan]

Personally, I think 8 gallons is too small for two Clownfish long-term, so I would encourage you to upgrade as soon as you can.

The other animals really don't add much in terms of bioload. The snails and inverts don't excrete nearly as much waste as the fish, so if your system can handle the bioload of the two fish, I don't think the inverts are going to cause a problem.

Good luck!

 

[littlefoxx]

If you are upgrading then you should be okay for now if they are tiny

 

[Hulzare]

Personally, I think 8 gallons is too small for two Clownfish long-term, so I would encourage you to upgrade as soon as you can.

The other animals really don't add much in terms of bioload. The snails and inverts don't excrete nearly as much waste as the fish, so if your system can handle the bioload of the two fish, I don't think the inverts are going to cause a problem.

Good luck!

That makes sense, thank you!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

My rule of thumb with tanks has always been: don't buy livestock with the intention of getting a bigger tank eventually, you never know what will happen. I've seen a lot of people who will buy fish that are too big for their tank, say they are going to upgrade the tank, but then never do it. Yes, two clowns are too many for an 8g. Like Fish Fan said, I would upgrade your tank as soon as you can.