long vs. regular.

[andruboz]

i just like the looks of long tanks and i'm think about getting either a 30g long or a 40g long.
since so many fish like there own square patch of turf on the bottom, it seams to be better than a regular. there has to be a downside but i'm not sure what. what is it i am missing?

[slipknottin]

Not as much height... Taller tanks "look better" to some people.

For pure functionality, a "long" or "breeder" tank is more effective.

[tyler]

i too prefer the look of the long tank. what kind of fish are you planning on keeping in it?

[andruboz]

the 40 long will fit on the same stand as a 55 gallon so thats what i'm shooting for [$119 locally with a hood]

its probably going to hold my nicaraguan's while they are small, plus my 4 inch asian bumblebee cat and maybe my african knife.
and maybe a flying fox.
the knife and the bumble bee are night hunters - mostly stay hidden in caves during the day. will the nicaraguans mess with them? i'm not sure.

once the nicaraguans grow out, i would convert it to a breeding tank for my firemouth. have to get him a girlfriend though.
or maybe get a female bumble bee cat and see if they cant do something. [not with the firemouth ;-], with the other bumblebee cat]

[tyler]

just out of curiousity, how big is that fahaka of yours? any problems with he and the oscar together? i've heard they can be mean as far as being a tankmate can go (the puffer...well, bother really).

[andruboz]

maybe 6-7 inches long.
so far he bit the 2 blood parrots so they had to move. he was in a mopy mood for awhile, but i found a good supply of free pond snails and he is hungry again. he also loves 'super' large size mealworms normally for lizards and such.
and small crayfish.
the oscar is smarter than the parrots and faster. trys to steal food,
but cant eat snails or crayfish [yet]. he does get the mealworms if i am not careful. the oscar is about 4" and that works to his advantage. when he gets 7-8" or so, it will be harder to get away in a 55 gal. so i'll have to move him. actually the oscar will probably stay and the puff will get a 75.
the puffer was a little more fierce when young, so one theory we have: his vision may have gone from 20/20 to maybe 20/80. he isnt blind, he just isn't as self assured as he once was.

[o snap its eric]

longer are better. not many fish swim up top anyways. i dont see any disadvantage of a long tank but a tall tank dont give enough swim space.

[BluEyes]

Originally posted by andruboz
the 40 long will fit on the same stand as a 55 gallon so thats what i'm shooting for [$119 locally with a hood]


nope, you'll need a 75G stand. a 40L is 48x16x12. 12" is the height, not front->back
Wait, or is that a 40 breeder?

As for taste, I preferr longer tanks. I love the looks of a 15g (24x12x12) and a 20L (30x12x12). 55g tanks are just hideous, and IMO encourage overstocking.
I think, personally, the tallest (proportionately) tank that I like is a 20H (24x12x16).
Why do they sell taller tanks, though? I think it has to do with floorspace. Many people wouldn't want a tank sticking 18-24" out into the room, so they build 'em narrow and tall - like a highrise. Most gallons, least space taken up.

[Gumby7]

I prefer long. But I also prefer schooling fish and plants.

For some unexplained reason most TALL format tanks I've seen have be saltwater setups.

Tall tanks have a few disadvantages for planted freshwater setups:
1) The selection of plants that grow to that height is reduced. IMO a planted tank with the top third devoid of vegetation looks odd (like you are waiting for something to grow in or its going bald).
2) The light penetration drops off with increased depth.
3) They require good circulation to prevent heat stratification. (Some with planted tanks prefer calmer setups).
4) Habitate stratification. Most fish have preferred levels to swim at. In the extreme you could end up with bottom dwelling corys and barely visible hatchets, with nothing in between.
5) Maintenance is more awkward. (How long are your arms?)
6) Surface area (and bottom area) to volume ratio is reduced. Important if you are relying on natural gas exchange.

If space permits I would suggest a long tank AND one with more than 12" from front to back. The extra "depth" opens up all kinds of aquascaping possiblities. (You have to be more skillful to aquascape a 12" tank and have it look fantastic. Voice of experience having moved from a 30g to a 90g to a 48g).

Gumby

[slipknottin]

Originally posted by BluEyes


nope, you'll need a 75G stand. a 40L is 48x16x12. 12" is the height, not front->back
Wait, or is that a 40 breeder?


Thats a breeder. A 40 long is 48x12x18

[BluEyes]

okay, that makes sense.
I still think the breeder looks better, and would be a better option for any fish over 6-8" due to the extra distance front-back

[FishmasteR2002]

Long tanks do look better. I have a 20L and Its my best looking tank. Also tall tanks are not for saving space. Tall tanks are primarily used for taller fish like angels and dicuses which do not move around to much but are very tall.

[125gJoe]

I have an 80 gallon. On dimesions, I'm not exactly sure. The tank I have is as long as a 55 gallon. From front to back, it is longer/deeper..... This gives a better water column.. Meaning better water flow overall. I suppose with well placed power-heads it won't matter on narrow tanks.

[BluEyes]

Originally posted by FishmasteR2002
Also tall tanks are not for saving space. Tall tanks are primarily used for taller fish like angels and dicuses which do not move around to much but are very tall.

I agree, dedicated fishkeepers who care about their fish use tall tanks for that purpose, but for the public at large... Most people find a tank sticking 2 feet out from the wall (plus room for filters behind) to be a nuisance. So, they build the 55g which only sticks out 12"...
Think how many people keep Oscars in a 55g tank. Here's a fish that definately doesn't grow tall - it grows very big. IMO, much too long to be kept (permanantly) in a 55g tank. Such a large fish deserves more turning space than that.