[James From Cali]

Tom, the other thing you have to look at is how comfrotable the fish are going to be. 42 Cardinal Tetras must be crammed in that tank. Although I do aggree that the more care you put into the tank the more you can bend the rules. With my 10g I am going to keep about 10 Long Finned Gold Zebra Danio and 10 Zebra Danio.

I honestly follow really no rules in this hobby. Yes I provide CO2 and nutrients to a limit. But I test things out and see what works for me(Higher light plants in lower light conditions) and I use the feedback sch as "Everything is going to die" and put it to the test. If you think about it how did they even come up with the "inch per gallon rule"? They must have tested it somehow. So if they had came up with a rule that shouldnt really even be followed who is to say you cannot find a loop hole for that rule.

I have not gone by the rules for many tanks so far. My neighbors 55g cichlid tank has Mbuna and a male Kribensis. Sure it is said not to do it but it has not been a problem. Trial and error my friends, trial and error. Test things out, do not be afraid to experiment, but do it within reason. Especially with our fishy friends.