Number of fish

Question
I have a 200 gal that is completely empty I am still trying to plan things out I want to know everything I can before I set up the tank my question is how many fish can go in a 200 gal I have my list and Im and trying to narrow them down but keep getting diffrent answers on how many

Answer
Hello Pam,

Well, i wish I had your challenges,  hmm, how many fish is too many fish for a 200 gal tank???

Lets see, 100 small fish, or 10 large fish???

hehehe

I really dont know how else to handle that question, I am sure there is a 'forumla to figure out how many 'inches' of fish, but that really is totally subjective inthe end.


Igues, I would start off by asking a few questions, but also suggesting something first...

Get some water and rocks into that tank... Right away.  Getting a mature 'STABLE' tank is paramount to preventing many problems.  The longer your tank is up, the more you perform your maintenance, the more stable your system will be.  IT will give you time to work out any 'wrinkles' and have all the necesary supplies and water available.

Next, Iwould start to figure out if you are going to want corals, and if so, what kind.  Then determine if you are going to stock inverts and other things that maynot be appropriate for certain types of fish.. And ultimately deciding what type of fish you want and can have...

Then we can talk about compatibility and quantity.  But really, if you are going to have corals, then quantity should be minimal and no where near the 'limits' of what could be kept.


Anyways, please let me know some more information, and we can go on from there,


Mr. Bill