Rate My Bioload Please?

[MP Johnson]

Here's my setup
30 Gallon Tank
Magnum 250 Canister Filter (i know i know, I'll upgrade to a sump as soon as i can...)
5 Gallon Fuge
Aqua C Remora Skimmer w/ MaxiJet1200

FISH-
2 True Perc Clowns
Flame Hawkfish
Coral Beauty Angel
Royal Gramma
Watchman Goby
Tank Raised Mandarin

and then the typical clean up crew


All my parameters are great, and I haven't even had a single algae bloom since the original cycle. As far as I can tell, everything is running perfect. No hair algae, good coralline growth, etc...

So here's the question... On a scale from 1-10, 10 being the highest, what would you rate my bioload at?

[curlykid]

eight

[MP Johnson]

Oh yeah, and 45ish pounds of live rock.

8 meaning i'm probably pushing it?

[mike_cmu04]

I would say that is getting pretty high i would not add more. Just make sure you do your water changes weekly.

[MP Johnson]

Cool. Yeah, I haven't actually added the royal gramma or mandarin yet. I have a firefish that i'm just gonna get rid of. Once I add those fish, I'll be done as far as fish. I've been keeping up with water changes and stuff, everything seems to be going very smoothly. This is my SW first tank and I haven't lost a single fish, which was really surprising to me haha I had been told multiple times it's an extremely difficult thing to keep up with. So far, it really hasn't been that much of a pain at all

Oh, and depending on how the Coral Beauty does when I start adding corals, I might have to take her out too. That would lower the bioload quite a bit compared to the other fish, right?

[bigworm175]

It is a little crowded for my tastes but I suppose it could work. I would keep them well fed to limit aggression. That is going to require very regular water changes and clean the skimmer neck at least weekly. It will probably depend on the individual fish too. Good luck.

[username in use]

Edit: I didn't read it right.

I think your at your upper limits to be able to keep it easily.

[davocean]

I wouldn't add more fish, and I personally don't like mandy's in smaller tanks, so I'd remove that if it were me and call it good.
Right now I'd say you're about 9.5
I know everyone keeps preaching about tank bred mandy's and them eating prep'd food, but I wouldn't depend on that for it's sole source of nutrition.

[tpenn187]

I agree 100% with dave on the tank bred mandarin. Make sure that your system is verry mature for the mandarin before you think about adding one. I also think that you are pushing the limits, and i would not add even the gramma. Just let your tank ride for a while and see how everything does.

[MP Johnson]

cool thanks for all the input guys!
I think I'm actually going to get rid of the coral beauty.... would that make room for the gramma and mandarin?

The mandarin is still in the phase or research too, haha so i wouldn't be adding it anytime soon. probably another 6 months or so.

[Mrbeachbum2]

A lot of the members in my club have mandrians that will eat pellets. May be seek out one of those. They can be pricey, but it's better than going through a few and cheaper in the long run. You're definitely stocked.

[Matt Dean]

If you got rid of the coral beauty, you should be ok. Just stay on top of the water quality. Of course, it depends on what corals, if any you are wanting to keep. You could certainly keep corals that like/need higher nutrients, but may find it hard to keep SPS if you aren't anal about the water quality.

Regarding the Mandarin. I am getting a tank raised one as well, but the fact that they will eat prepared foods doesn't mean they will thrive without an ample supply of pods. You will 'supplement' their diet with prepared foods. It can't be their only means of nourishment as it won't provide them with the nutrition they need.

In a 300 gallon, I don't think ti would matter how long you let the tank mature, your pod population would run out pretty quick, as they hunt constantly. I would be prepared to spend a fair amount of money on supplying the tank with fresh pods and have a refugium going at the very least.

Good luck!