Can I have more fish?

[the3kgt2]

I just bought a banggai cardinal and was thinking about getting him a mate. i have 7 small fish now in my 46g. Have I reached max load already or can I fit one more fish in there?

I currently have:
yellow-headed sleeper goby
lawnmower blenny
yellow-tailed blue damsel
pokadot pajama cardinal
banggai cardinal
2x ocellaris clownfish

cleaner shrimp
peppermint shrimp
sand-sifting sea star
serpent sea star
pincushion urchin

My protein skimmer isn't that good...seaclone 100...so I don't want to have too much bio load.

Here's a pic to get an idea of how much swimming room i have
<img src="http://a379.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/16/l_bc0dde2f2de466c55137f14fe6e41ada.jpg" border="0" alt=""></font></p>

[nathan_unsane]

seaclones cant even handle a 10 gallon tank in my opinion, i'm in the same position now... i want my creatures in my tank, but i need to upgrade my skimmer to the octopus...

i suggest you do the same....

[falconut]

I agree with nathan_unsane. I had a Seaclone on my 44 gal and it couldn't keep up. So, I got an ASM for my 90 gal. and it works great. You should consider getting a better skimmer before adding more fish.

[sean48183]

Do you have a fuge on this tank growing algae and preferably hair algae. If you do then would not be a problem. If you don't have one I would add one and upgrade that skimmer.

[stang5_o2002]

I have the same tank with the same skimmer. I agree. With a better skimmer, you could maybe get by with another fish. Seaclones just dont cut it. Very nice looking tank by the way. :)

[the3kgt2]

Nope, I don't have a fuge or sump. My stand won't fit one.

This sucks, I just paid $70 for this seaclone about 4 months ago. I'm on a fairly tight budget so what should I upgrade to? It has to be a hang-on-back skimmer.

[salty3]

Aqua c remora pro, or the css. I have also heard the tunze and octopuss are good but havnt heard enough about them yet.

[the3kgt2]

$163 for the AquaC Remora with a MajiJet 1200 pump. It looks like the best hang-on for the price.

I don't want to turn this thread into another protein skimmer comparison, but would that be good? Know of anywhere with a better price?

And know anybody who wants a Seaclone 100? lol. I also have a Berlin Air-Lift skimmer and that thing sucked 10 times more than the seaclone. That's why I thought the seaclone was so awesome =)

[Marsfrogie]

Just a note on the Coralife Super Skimmer. If you are trying to do a HOB installation, DONT. It looks hideous. I had it on mine for a while but ended up moving it to a sump later. Also, you're going to have problems with microbubbles for a while until it breaks in real good. Also, the bubble diffuser box is junk. Might as well just throw it out when you get it and make something yourself. Other than that, it works ok.

[the3kgt2]

I have a canopy so you wouldn't be able to see the skimmer. Wouldn't be a problem either way.

[Marsfrogie]

I mean the fact that the huge pump and bubble diffuser box sits inside the tank. It doesn't look nice.

[the3kgt2]

I'm getting the AquaC Remora. Should I get the MaxiJet 1200 pump or the mag? 1200 should be good for my 46g, right?

[Navyblue]

The Seaclone and bioload aside, I think you can still make it as long as the fishes stay at those sizes. Once they attain their full size it would be way too crowded.

[the3kgt2]

I just tested my water quality and it's looking good.

ph = 8.1
phosphate = 0
ammonia = 0
nitrite = 0
calcium = 425
specific gravity (salinity) 1.024

Why do I need to spend $200 on a better protein skimmer if my water quality is good?

[sean48183]

What's your nitrates?

[Craig Lambert]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9109508#post9109508 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by the3kgt2
I just tested my water quality and it's looking good.

ph = 8.1
phosphate = 0
ammonia = 0
nitrite = 0
calcium = 425
specific gravity (salinity) 1.024

Why do I need to spend $200 on a better protein skimmer if my water quality is good?

You left out Alkalinity (the most important param of all) as well as nitrate which is also critical.

[the3kgt2]

Hmm...no clue. Never bought a nitrate test.

[the3kgt2]

Maybe I need to go buy a couple more tests.

[seahorse31]

Just because your water quality may be good today, with 7 small fish growing and eating more, that may not be the case. Your tank is beautiful. You probably spent a small fortune already; what's another $200 for good skimming? I was amazed by what my skimmer pulled out of the water everyday. I have a 55 gallon, but just lost 1/2 of the fish due to ick (I learned the hard way about the need to quarantine-some advise no, but I will from now on).

[the3kgt2]

It's because i've spent a small fortune already that I don't want to spend another $200. But I do agree with you, it's a good safety net in case something dies off and rots or whatever.