anyone have a 12in. width tank?

I have a couple of 12" deep tanks. A 55 gallon and a 20 gallon. I think the they both look pretty good although it would always be nice to be wider. It takes some skill and playing around to get things looking right, though! I painted the back of my 20 black and it is heavily planted, so it looks pretty good. Also, on my future tanks, I will slope the substrate much more steeply up towards the back of the tank (about 30 degree incline).
 
Mine is 12" x 36". Wider would be nice, of course, but when I got this tank (way back when) it was huge in comparison to my then 15 gallon. Pic is in my tank specs, said it was too large to attach here.
 
I have a 33 gallon tank that is 12 inches in width. You can create the illusion of greater depth by using a lot of plants to hide the back gravel-line. As well, I use a couple of long pieces of driftwood receding towards the back at angles, pointing towards a single point. This method also helps create an illusion of the aquarium being deeper than it actually is, like two lines of a highway disappearing into the distance. Lines of plants can also be used to support this strategy. I think creating angles that intercept would intensify that depth perception, whereas parallel lines would create a static portrait.

Do your best to hide equipment like filter intakes and heaters, etc. When I see that stuff hanging off the back, it's distractive and it ruins the illusion of depth because I am reminded of that back wall.
 
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i got 2 choices.

i can go with a 36L x 18W x 24H (65 gallon) for 300cnd. that's with stand

OR

48L x 12W x 18 (55 gallon) for 200cnd. also with stand.

i dont know which one would be better.

is the extra width and high worth the price?
 
I would personally go with the 65 gallon tank. When you have a choice, get the biggest one.

Consider your priorities. If money is a factor, then go with the 55 gallon. If the width of the aquarium is the only thing preventing you from getting the 55, then I wouldn't worry about it. You have to work a little harder to create the illusion of depth, but if you can save $100, you can put it towards a better filter, heater, or lighting system.
 
i got lights. LFS canopy fits 36 inch 4 tubes nicely. leaves 6 inches of open space for the filters and stuff

ac 300
hot mag

if i were to get the 48, i would have to buy large driftwood.

this is a tough decision.

then my 36 inch lights will only cover the center part. but wont shaded ends of the aquarium make it look more natural?
 
Well, your choice will partly depend on what type of fish you want to keep in there. Some type of fish prefer a good amount of space to swim length wise. The advantages of the 36" long tank over the 48" long one are, it has more surface area and holds more water. You would saving money on the 48" but since you don't have the right size strip light for it, the money you saved on that tank would need to be spent on a longer strip light. I would likely go with the 36" tank if I were you.
 
12" tanks are the most common...

ANYWAY...i would find a 75g and buy that!! then you get the 18" width and a 4' tank. not as high! but from those two choices....i think it's a wash. here's why:

it really isn't that much of a surface area difference. 48x12=576....but aren't standard 55g tanks actually 48x13, and thus 624 sq. inches? 36x18=648. also, i prefer lower tanks, as opposed to high ones. they're easier to aquascape. so i would go with the 55g for price.

BUT if you already purchased the 36in. lights, then i'd go with the 65g. i don't think it's too much of a difference either way, really.

i still say 75g!
 
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