thread for bioload calculation

shern

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Oct 17, 2023
262
129
51
If this thread was created to find out if any of us knew a calculation which could determine whether you could add your gar to your current ray tank, ensuring that your tank didn't crash in the process, then again I'll say there isn't a calculation. None of us know.

If I was you I'd simply add the fish and get a handle on your parameters before doing so. I wouldn't feed for the first couple of days either. Observe, and test your water daily.

You're looking for a slight rise in ammonia, though if your bio filtration is good, you may not see anything, it could be seamless, fingers crossed.

If things are fine after a couple of days I'd then feed lightly, still keeping tabs on parameters. If you're lucky you may be able to add this new fish and see absolutely no changes at all in parameters.

If you do see ammonia in the first couple of days of adding the fish, then you'll have to wait for the BB colony to increase and take up the slack, maybe doing a water change too.

I'd much rather take this "hands on" practical approach to adding the fish, rather than looking for some kind of none existent complex algorithm to tell me if it's safe or not!
that’s fair, i might be looking over some flaws but i wanted to get into the nitty gritty science and see if anyone knew if there was a feasible calculation. though trial and error is not my favorite choice when dealing with costly fish 🤣
 

shern

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Oct 17, 2023
262
129
51
I'm sorry not to sound harsh here but if you really have to think about adding the Floridan Gar then you probably shouldn't
Maybe its just me but it sounds like you want us to validate you adding the Gar
i’m thinking about the florida gar but i don’t wanna make some irresponsible move on it. size wise the tank can house it well and there’s always an argument to be put up on how large plathyrincus can get. they are a slow growing fish so even if problems did arise i would be able to find a better home suited for it. some larger species like alligator or long would definitely be unsuitable but the maximum size for a florida gar seems to hover between 20-30. them again being a slow grower made it a bit more reasonable size wise. i was just wondering if they were bioload machines so i would know what i would be able to prepare for.
 

shern

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Oct 17, 2023
262
129
51
True sharks and Rays naturally produce more ammonia than most fish species.
this is very helpful, thank you.

honestly this is exactly what i’m looking for
 
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