Aquarium Height and Depth for Trophs?

[tepei22]

Hey guys,
I noticed that a lot of the troph keepers here use aquariums that have either a 24 or 30 inch high tank. Is there any reason for that? Stock aquarium height or by preference? I'm in the process of building a fishroom but I was thinking about going less than 24 inches because it's a little difficult to grab things if they are at the bottom of the tank. I know length wise, 4-6 feet is ideal but what height and depth of tank would you prefer for trophs? Thanks for your time!

Tepei22

[supadave]

I don't think it really matters what height you go with . My Trophs tend to hug the rock line . They rarely swim in the upper part of the tank above my tallest rock .The only time they really come to the very top of my tank is when it's feeding time . Other than that ...they pretty much stick to the mid point of my tank or right around the height of my tallest rock .

[myjohnson]

Bigger is always better.

I don't think they really need more than 18" tall and 18" wide.

Anything over is a plus.

[jhenry]

Bigger is always better.

I don't think they really need more than 18" tall and 18" wide.

Anything over is a plus.

+1 bit bigger is always better my fish do travel to the top of the tank above the rocks much off the time not only to feed though

[Suelovesfish]

I don't think the Troph's really care. I like the 24" height simply becasue it is easier to clean.

[tbui1178]

Bigger is always better.

I don't think they really need more than 18" tall and 18" wide.

Anything over is a plus.

+1 with everything thai said.

[Gene D]

I think it depends on stocking levels. The fish will try to space themselves out naturally so if you have enough fish in the tank they will move to the upper part of the water column to give themselves room

[myjohnson]

I agree with the statement but more often then not I see that it mainly depends on the colony.

Some sp. of tropheus school tighter in the wild and in our tanks.

Example, dubs are deeper water fish, relative to tropheus, and do not school well in tanks. As a result your statement is true.


However, I've notice that brichardis, amoung others school very tight groups. I can see a colony doing as Dave has stated above.

My pollis act more like dubs in this regard but at the same time my mtoto school very tight.

[jhenry]

Well my Chipimbi school tight and there tank mates although not trophs being petrochromis polyoden they school very tight also but in the higher level of the tank than the trophs in a 24inch tall tank

[jhenry]

Also to agree with Gene it does have to do with the stock level I do have over 60 fish in my 180 and they just get in were they fit in and the mp60 keeps them in check

[BassTank]

mp60.... for ballers.

[tepei22]

Those are some interesting observations. Thanks guys! The reason why I'm asking is because I'm going to be building a fishroom late in the year and I now have some time to configure the appropriate tanks for the room. My room is 11 feet by 10 feet so I'm just trying to work out the best way to put the tanks. I pretty much house just fronts and trophs so right now, I'm leaning toward a couple of 7ft tank for the fronts and then maybe 2 4 foot tanks and 2 6 foot tanks for the trophs. I was thinking of taking the tank height to a bit lower thn 24 inches, maybe 22 or 20, just because I find reaching down to the bottom of the tank a hassle as my arms aren't long enough. That being said, I know the advantage of a higher or wider tank is that I have more water volume. Right now, I will probably go 24 inches in width but maybe 30 on the 6 footers.
I have thought about maybe dividing the 10 foot wall into 2 5 foot tanks but for some reason, I haven't had the greatest luck in the 5 foot tanks I have now with either fronts or trophs. So that's why I'm leaning toward a 6 footer and 4 footer. Anyhow, I appreciate all the feedback and in the end, I hope I will find just the right tank configuration not only for the fish but also for watching the fish in the room. That'll be a lot of fun and hopefully I can make some of my tanks as showcases like so many of you have done!

[Gene D]

I had another thought in favor of tall tanks for tropheus. All troph tanks will have dominant males who will not allow others in their area. However they are somewhat tolerant of fish above them. This goes back to stocking levels but a taller tank might allow sub dominant males and females to move higher in the water column and travel the length of the tank rather than being herded into the remaining spaces between the dominant males territories.

[Zulaab]

I have found tall rocks freestanding is the best way for males to escape, but like said above, you have to have the space above for them to hang. The dominate males usually want to have the area to the bottom and males that hang at the top of the rocks are not chased very much.