Is My Tank Big Enough?

[mreae]

I have a 29 gallon tank. It's been set up for a couple years. The reason I'm asking this question is because I constantly am reading (in this forum and in others) that my tank is too small for Africans.

Right now I have two lemon yellows, one red shoulder, one rubin red, and one OB Peacock. They seem to get along quite well, other than the normal pecking order that they set and maintain from time to time.

I also have a plecostomus and a couple small loaches.

The question is: Is my tank big enough? I ask because I've had great success with these fish. They are beautiful, active, and seem very healthy. The water conditions are ideal, and everything seems copacetic to me. Why do people say the tank must be bigger?

Thanks in advance.

 

[theubc]

well i heard 29 gallons are as good as 20 gallon longs so think about that
i have 2 africans in my 20 gallon and i feel bad about it every now and then
but i know what you mean they seem to be perfect but i have read that keeping them in too small of a place will really stunt their growth and could really shorten the lifespan. they really like AT LEAST 55 gallons especially with the amount of africans you have im surprised they have not killed each other yet

 

[helios99]

Well, I'm sorry to tell you mate but your tank is very small for the amount of fish you've got in there. Leave alone the Africans, if you've got clown loaches (the most popular variety IMO) they will grow up to one foot in length and needless to say will need a LOT of room to live comfortably. Most Plecos grow huge in size and a Common(again I'm guessing you have a common) would need ATLEAST need a 90 Gal in my opinion.

The ideal situation would be that you get a 90 Gal if you have resources available. You could add some more Africans to your new tank and you would see the personalities come to the fore, which would also disperse the aggression which is likely when there are relatively lesser number of Cichlids in a bigger aquarium.

If that sounds too far fetched I would suggest getting atleast a 55 Gal and moving your loaches and pleco (if they are the kind that grow huge) and get a couple of other bottom feeders. Other AC member would be in a better position to advise on that topic.

Hope that helped.
Surya

 

[mreae]

Thanks for the advice. My loaches will not grow big (not clown loaches) but my pleco will. I will trade him in before he gets that big though. I will consider moving to a larger size aquarium . . . but right now do not have the funds.

 

[catnipgal]

sometimes you can find people giving away tanks in the classifieds here, or craigslist

 

[mreae]

So now I've determined that my tank isn't big enough. I have found a 45 gallon for $120 with everything needed to get started, including a stand.

My question now is, and maybe this should be a different topic, but can I use the water in my current tank, transfer it over and move my cichlids right over? Or should I let it cycle for a while?

I wouldn't be able to use the current undergravel filter, as it's a different size. So . . . . I suppose I could still use the canister filter I have on my 29 gallon. That along with the 2 powerheads & undergravel filter in this new tank should be sufficient filtration.

What do you think?

 

[excuzzzeme]

Yes you can transfer water, filters, media....The whole 9 yards. But a 45 is not going to do much better than the 29 due to the small footprint. Your tank is still 12" (front to back). A 75 is a bigger tank that would make a difference, not a 45. A 75 and a 90 have the same footprint (with the 90 being a taller 75, they are both 48 x 18).

I moved "everything" from a 55 to a 90 and never waited for a new cycle as it was the same as doing a 50% water change. My water was fine from day one and still is with zero deaths.

 

[mreae]

Thank you for the information about the water.

Also, even with the footprint being similar, wouldn't it benefit the fish in some way? I could fit in more rocks, with more hiding places, etc. Do you not think that having at least a little more space would be a good thing?

The unfortunate thing is that I don't have enough room in the spot to fit a bigger tank. So, my choice is to get a 45 and move the peacocks into that, or to stay with the 29. As far as I know, with my experience, the 29 has been great for the fish! They seem healthy and happy, and I have a very, very low mortality rate. My fish don't seem to grow huge . . . maybe it's because of the small tank. I've been reading about "stunting," but I've also read that it's a misnomer that fish grow to the size of their tank.

So, what do you think? Upgrade to 45 or not?

 

[Pittbull]

yes upgrade please do so! even if it is a 45gal the more water the better my friend and along with your knowledge you should be fine with that, i understand most folks here mean well when it comes to the hobby but what you have to do is whats best for you and the fishes so if you can only go 45gal than yep do it aye, its better than nothing..