Tall tanks

in my opinon I can see where a taller tank won't help with a big fish (big meaning long). however, if you properly stock a tall tank you could probably have layers of smaller fish. some like the bottom, some middle and some top and if done right It may work just as well.. I could be wrong though... it's just an opinion

It's not the space in which they swim which is the problem. It's the fact that with a tall tank, you're not gaining any more surface area for oxygen exchange than a shorter tank with a similar footprint.

You could account for this with additional water movement, but there are limitations to that as well.

Suffice it to say, a 37g (for example) doesn't have any more oxygen exchange capacity than a 29 or a 20 long. Although there *is* more water available for pollutant dilution.

I also believe it's the space as well. Unless you go heavy on the top layer fish, why have 20" of height when 4" of that isn't really being used? Why not add to the footprint instead? Give the other fish more room to swim?

Do you think a school of neons would be happier in a 20H or a 20L? They both have almost the same amount of water, but the 20L is 30x12x12 and the 20H is 24x12x16. Which would you think they would rather have?

IMO, size DOES matter :joke:

You know in the UK and many other European countries, most tanks are stocked according to footprint, not gallons. They list a minimum tank length and height, and some list depth as well. Gallons aren't really taken into consideration.

IMO I think that is a far better system than what we use here.

JM2C
Roan

i agree Roan that is a MUCH better stocking method

5-10 gallons of water doesn't give near as much carrying capacity as 5-10 inches more surface area

Drekkyk said:

I ran across a formula that takes into account the surface area of your tank to determine stocking levels. This really doesnt take into account the actual amount of waste produced by fish, but it was interesting. According to the formula, (Which I cannot remember) My 110g Tank is good for about 57 inches of fish.

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Formulas are great but they are just what they are: mathematical formulas. They don't mimic real life nor take into account a lot of different factors that influence fish behavior and water chemistry.

I think when you compare a 20H to a 20 L, it does make sense to take the longer. But when you compare 75 g tanks and up, with smaller fish, maybe they do enjoy a little more vertical freedom. To me it would be the difference beteen having a great room and just a long hallway.

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Atually, a Great Room isn't a Great Room (and I assume you are referring to the architectural type) unless you have the footprint to support the height

A 75g to me, is THE tank under 100 gallons. I just love them. Great footprint, great height. There isn't much you can't put in a 75g. That's why I have three of them.

Roan