Feeling cramped in a 55

M

matefrio

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Mar 23, 2005
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Now that I have my 55 gallon full of substrate and a driftwood centerpiece I am realizing the limitations of using the narrow 55 gallon tall as a planted tank.

I'm at a decision point now before I buy plants and fish.

Would it be worth the hassle of selling my 55 with stand to gain the five or so inches that a 75 would bring? I don't have so much $$ in the tank and stand that I'd loose my shirt on it even at craig's list prices.

So what do you think?

55Gal 48x13x20 - Stick with it bud. A tank in hand is worth two in the lake.
75Gal 48x18x20 - Bigger is better and that extra five inches makes it worth a bit of hassle now.
90Gal 48x18x24 - Taller and longer, Taller and longer.
120 Gal 48x24x24 - Double your pleasure, Double your fun. You'll need to buy another $$ filter though.

Let's stick with 48in. so I don't need to sell my new lights. Something 96in wide is not an option now even if I was given the tank!
 
55 can be a good planted tank but it definately has some limitations. I do have a couple really big plants in mine (that touch the front glass) but the fish dont mind. The only ones that would mind would be my Harlequins but all they want to do is surf my water return current. They just go right over top of it.
 
I would go the 75 to keep it simple. the extra width is worth it, I ended up custom ordering a 36x18x20 55g (apartment dweller with a single set of hands) after getting a 55 and relizing i was still in the same boat as my 29g, just longer. the problem with going taller is that its harder to work with, and although you add gallons for height, you don't increase surface area. the 120 would be nice, but thats going to be a much bigger investment then the 75.
 
I'd have to say go with a 75. If you're questioning it now, you'll probably only question it more as things progress, and start regretting at some point.

I've got a 55 sitting empty in my garage, waiting for a place to go. I'm not sure if I'll use it now or sell it.
 
If you're on a budget, go 75. If it doesn't matter, go 120. Two AC 500/100s will filter both more than adequately. If you have any other filters, that would be bonus. I wish I could trade my 6' 110 for a 4' 120. I have 75 and 90 gallon tanks. They are great, but that extra 6" front to back is a lot.
 
when you start getting to depth of 24" it starts to get a little cumbersome to maintain.
they are worth is but you will get more wet.

I have a 55 and a 75 ..I like the 75 more than the 55..the extra width is nice.

I also have a 110 30" deep..it is a pain..i like it but it's a pain.
 
Nolapete said:
For all you peeps getting wet, do your planting and cleaning during a water change when the water is 1/3 to 1/2 down. Whew! You people scare me.
Click to expand...

Now now...simmer down. I can't speak from experience with large tanks, but for my part, there is no way I could wait for water changes to do all my tank tinkering. Some of my tanks go months between water changes. I wet my elbows on average every other day, and sometimes more (not as often as I wet my bed though...duhdumdum).
 
I just set up another 55 and was thinking the same thing. Add some driftwood and rocks, there just isn't enough bottom space for all the plants I'd like to get in there! How bout a 48"x18"x18", I'd much rather have the width over height. 55s seem to be more available on the used tank market though, hmm, wonder why?
Here's the tank I just set up. Take a look, not enough space!

new55.jpg


Stump has 1/2" clearance front/ back!

new55a.jpg
 
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