29 or 55 planted?

[mtdewlover]

So I have a 55 gallon set up currently. It has a variety of african cichlids in it along with a pleco. My boyfriend had a planted 30 gallon tank with african cichlids and it's doing great! :dance I also have a 29 gallon tank that will be free to use soon. My question is should I make my 55 gallon a planted aquarium? Or should I make the 29 gallon planted? Holding costs aside, what are the benefits and pitfalls of each. I know cichlids is a downfall, but other than that.

Thanks for your help!

 

[daveedka]

Although I am a big fan of 55's, they are not the easiest tank to work with dimension wise. Just a little too tall for most folks and since planted tanks tend to require more interaction of hands in the tank, you might be better off with the 29g for your plants. JMO, nothing more.
Dave

 

[OnyxFishies]

So I have a 55 gallon set up currently. It has a variety of african cichlids in it along with a pleco. My boyfriend had a planted 30 gallon tank with african cichlids and it's doing great! :dance I also have a 29 gallon tank that will be free to use soon. My question is should I make my 55 gallon a planted aquarium? Or should I make the 29 gallon planted? Holding costs aside, what are the benefits and pitfalls of each. I know cichlids is a downfall, but other than that.

Thanks for your help!

I'm a big fan of 29gal tanks, I think they have a good balance of size vs. footprint, depth, ect. I'm planning on getting a 75 at some point, but I'm not sure if I will plant it. If I do, it will be low light/low maintenance plants.

as for planting the 55, there is the obvious.. more plants! Also more variety possible, more "areas" to put differing plant species/types, ect. The larger plants can take over a 29 gal much sooner also. I personally wish that 55's were shorter and bigger front to back, but that's just me.

 

[happychem]

It will be easier to find standard bulbs and light fixtures for the 55g. Other than that, not much. I think that I'd go with the 29g. I've got a 33g which is my first endeavour into the seriously planted tank, it's gorgeous (IMO), it's a decent amount of work and it's been a great size to learn on.

I think that (and I could be wrong on this) that the biggest difference, dimention-wise, with a 55g will be length, so you'll probably have all the same types of plants in both and the same kind of depth to work on (front to back depth, not height). So again, I'm favouring the 29g.

Besides, that way you can keep your 55g cichlid tank and stock your 29g with more 'plant friendly' fish.

 

[Hound]

My vote would be to go with the 29g as your planted tank. Should be easier to maintain and you won't have to find out what your cichlids might do with a suddonly changing landscape that can be ripped apart.