Yeah, I went with the wider tank as well. I just like wide tanks. Maybe thats why I want a 40 breeder.
Go with the 180 if you can afford it.
Go with the 180 if you can afford it.
Deciding on my next tank, 4ft or 6ft
- Thread starter jmhart
- Start date
I'm voting for the 120g if you wanna go planted with it, the cube shape allows for some wicked aquascapes. Plus at the 4ft length, lighing is easy to find, and the extra front-back width, allows you to easily add more fixtures depending on plant needs.
I would stay away from the 5ft length tanks, they make lighting a headache trying to find the best solution. Even though the 6ft, can be easily lit with 3ft. fixtures, again I like the depth of the 120g.
And since this your first tank with a height of 25", good reflectors help out alot or removing the legs from your lighting helps with growing good foreground plants and new plants.
And if your lucky enough to be starting over completely with new lighting as well, I strongly suggest T5HO with individual reflectors, 6-8 bulbs should be enough, plus you'll love the spread and penetration (because of the reflectors) over PC bulbs.
I would stay away from the 5ft length tanks, they make lighting a headache trying to find the best solution. Even though the 6ft, can be easily lit with 3ft. fixtures, again I like the depth of the 120g.
And since this your first tank with a height of 25", good reflectors help out alot or removing the legs from your lighting helps with growing good foreground plants and new plants.
And if your lucky enough to be starting over completely with new lighting as well, I strongly suggest T5HO with individual reflectors, 6-8 bulbs should be enough, plus you'll love the spread and penetration (because of the reflectors) over PC bulbs.
Yeah, I'm definitely leaning towards T5HO. I'm even considering a mix of T5HO and MH. Depends on how big the tank is.
If I ended up going real big, like a 180 6'x2'x2', I would probably put a few T5HO's running the length of the tank, and maybe one or two 75w/150w MH
If I ended up going real big, like a 180 6'x2'x2', I would probably put a few T5HO's running the length of the tank, and maybe one or two 75w/150w MH
DAVIDFBT
Extinct? Since when?
6 footers are more of a pleasure to maintain and to 'scape. There is really no difference in maintenance between a 4' and a 6'. The extra 2' is hardly noticeable at cleaning times. (I have both). What is noticeable is the extra room to even out a display It makes a difference between looking cluttered or "natural".
As far as lighting goes you actually have more options available unless you aren't a DIY'er.
As far as lighting goes you actually have more options available unless you aren't a DIY'er.
To me, my schools of 9 congo tetras and 7 red eye tetras look very cramped in my 4 ft long tank. I would love to have a 6 ft.
I just have simple, easy plants so I won't comment on the planted aspect.
