Why this is different
More of the variables that decide whether a community works.
01
Footprint-aware
Long tanks gain swimming room and surface area; tall tanks do not magically create more territory for bottom or mid-water fish.
02
Social-group checks
The tool flags under-grouped schooling fish and tests suggested additions at a realistic group size.
03
Swim-zone pressure
Top, mid and bottom occupancy are tracked separately so a tank can be biologically light but spatially crowded.
04
Explainable compatibility
Temperature, pH, predation, fin-nipping and territorial conflicts are shown with a reason and a fix.
05
Tank-age penalty
A newly cycled tank gets less modeled headroom than an established system instead of pretending both have identical resilience.
06
Shareable scenarios
Your entire plan can be encoded into a link for forum feedback without creating an account or storing personal data.
Important: StockingLab is a planning aid, not a substitute for water testing, species research or experienced husbandry. Aquarium biology varies with feeding, maintenance, filter media, oxygenation, individual behavior and source water. Never add livestock to an uncycled tank because a calculator shows spare capacity.