I just want to get a little tank for now. I want to see if I can handle the up keep and take care of 2 babies. If I start with a 20g, in your opinion, is the tall or long tank better?
20 gallon tank
- Thread starter Emily921
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For most fish, the long is better. The fish have more swimming room, and the floor has more surface area.
I agree, though it depends to some extent on which species you are keeping in it.
Either way, 20 gallons is a good choice for a starter tank- it's small enough to be manageable, but there are a lot more suitable species choices than in a 10 gallon, and the water conditions are more stable.
Either way, 20 gallons is a good choice for a starter tank- it's small enough to be manageable, but there are a lot more suitable species choices than in a 10 gallon, and the water conditions are more stable.
Definitely the long for the reasons listed above. They offer a few more stocking options than a tall.
Lupin
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- Sep 21, 2006
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I have both types. In my 20 Long I have danios and corydoras. I think the danios really like the long tank, they are able to jet back and forth without running into walls quickly. In my 20 high i have swordtails and platys, they aren't as speedy as the danios so I think that the 20 high works fine for them.
As for a 20 Long depending what filter you use you may have to modify it due to the short height of the aquarium. I bought a Penguin Bio-wheel 150 and had to cut the extension tube in half. Also depending on the look of your tank you'll have to use shorter plants where in the 20 high your plants can be 16-18inches high and they won't be floating across half the top of the tank.
Have fun! Good choice for a starter tank.
As for a 20 Long depending what filter you use you may have to modify it due to the short height of the aquarium. I bought a Penguin Bio-wheel 150 and had to cut the extension tube in half. Also depending on the look of your tank you'll have to use shorter plants where in the 20 high your plants can be 16-18inches high and they won't be floating across half the top of the tank.
Have fun! Good choice for a starter tank.
I agree, I would recommend a longer tank over a tall one. You'll generally find 3 sizes of 20 gallons. You'll find that people label them differently but there is the 20L which is 30" long, the 20H which is 24" long and the 20XH which is only 12" long but basically equals out to two 10gallons on top of one another. My personal opinion would be to aim for one of the first two, the reason being that more surface area = better oxygen exchange.
IMO - I have a 20L and I like the looks of it better than a high. (Which I also had but gave to my daughter for a toad tank.) It also seems easier to clean.
:iagree:
20L is a nice looking tank for a small tank. But, in my opinion, smaller tanks are more of a chore than larger tanks.
you couldnt say clown pleco? are you trying to show off how smart you are while looking it up in your book? :silly: seriously though, i think this is also the perfect set up for a peaceful aquarium that wont be overcrowded. remember not to add all the fish at once and start the cycle slowly.For a 20g, I'd suggest sparkling gouramis, harlequin rasboras and a Panaque maccus.