tank sizes and aspect ratios

[doanh]

First, I want to thank the forum for being so helpful. I have been studying tanks and have a few questions for you experts.

When I get the advice, most people based it on the size of the tank. However, I noticed that there are many different shapes to a same size tank. For example, some 55 gallon tank are 48"(L) x 13"(W) x 21"(H) or 36"(L) x 15" (W) x 24" (H)

What I like to understand is which tank is better?

Also, what does it mean when the tank is too small for the fish. I do not mean physically, like a 12 inch fish in a 10 gallon tank.

[supadave]

First, I want to thank the forum for being so helpful. I have been studying tanks and have a few questions for you experts.

When I get the advice, most people based it on the size of the tank. However, I noticed that there are many different shapes to a same size tank. For example, some 55 gallon tank are 48"(L) x 13"(W) x 21"(H) or 36"(L) x 15" (W) x 24" (H)

What I like to understand is which tank is better?

Also, what does it mean when the tank is too small for the fish. I do not mean physically, like a 12 inch fish in a 10 gallon tank.

Neither tank is really any better than the other . 55 gallons is 55 gallons no matter what type or size container you put it in . You basically , want to choose your tank based on the type of fish that you want to keep and their specific needs . Most people prefer the standard 55 gallon , which will be the 48" x 13" x 21 . Mainly because it gives your fish the full 4ft. length wise to swim.......unlike the 36" x 15" x 24" (3ft. tank) . You'll even here people refer to the taller tanks as "show" tanks . So , if you're keeping fish that are "busy bodies" or that like to swim back and fourth the length of the tank......then the 4ft. will suit them better than the 3ft. tank .

The answer to your second question is going to be kinda the same . Having a tank that is too small for your fish means that your fish naturally needs more living room . Example , some people will buy several Frontosas at a small size and put them in a 3ft. tank . Frontosas are deep water fish and they grow rather quickly . With frequent water changes , this fish will easily reach 5" to 6" inches within the first year .You don't want to do this to your fish. This will be cramping the fish up and this leads to stress , sickness , and or aggression . None of these are healthy for any fish . So basically , just do your homework when selecting your fish to make sure that you're providing them with the best available housing .

[jarrodaden]

My preference is tall and wide and not very deep. It keeps the fish closer to the front glass so you can see them and with a taller tank I don't have to bend down to see as much. On the downside, larger rocks and such don't fit.

[Sea-agg09]

+1 on the comments so far. Tanks are not really "better" than one another, but some are better fits for certain fish. Bottom dwellers; like cories and gobies, will never utilize anything above the bottom 6 inches of your tank. Having a tall tank does nothing for them. If you are planning on tall fish, like angels and discuss, a tall tank is virtually required. In the case of height, nothing is really "tall" in my book unless it is around 36".

As for depth, the problem with deeper tanks has already been stated. Fish don't perform just to make you happy. If you want to see them, you need to plan your tank design for them. Depth can add an interesting feature to your tank, and makes room for some designs that most tanks simply don't have room for. While this is all good, you may not be able to see your fish most of the time.

[armthehomeless]

First, I want to thank the forum for being so helpful. I have been studying tanks and have a few questions for you experts.

When I get the advice, most people based it on the size of the tank. However, I noticed that there are many different shapes to a same size tank. For example, some 55 gallon tank are 48"(L) x 13"(W) x 21"(H) or 36"(L) x 15" (W) x 24" (H)

What I like to understand is which tank is better?

Also, what does it mean when the tank is too small for the fish. I do not mean physically, like a 12 inch fish in a 10 gallon tank.

I'm far from an expert, but I have learned quite a bit from other people here on the box as well as through trial and error myself. I'm pretty much going to reiterate what Supadave stated.

What tank is better (same number of gallons, but different dimensions)? It all depends on the type of fish. In general, you can go based on the shape of the fish. Tall fish will like tall tanks. Long fish will like longs tanks. Wide fish will like wide tanks . . . When people say that they need a certain size tank, they are generaly referring to a "standard size". For a 55, that would be the four foot tank. Here is a link tovarious aquarium sizes: http://ovas.ca/index.php?page=53. If it doesn't have a word after it,the tank is a standard size.

What does it mean when the tank is too small for the fish? Current and maximum size shouldn't be the only considerations when homing a fish. Another thing to consider is how much they move around and how much swimming space they need. Some fish are constantly moving, whereas some fish have a more sedentary lifestyle. Can someone keep an baby oscar, koi, or arowana in a 10 gallon tank? Sure . . . but they will quickly outgrow the tank. From having working in a pet store for several years, I saw all too often people pick up oscars and koi for 10-20 gallon tanks thinking that they would buy a bigger tank later. When the time came, those individuals finances weren't in order and they couldn't get the larger tank. They either kept a big fish in a small tank or returned the fish. . . Neither of which is fair to the fish. Keep in mind that fish can't choose their owners. We have to have a certain amount of responsibility at fishkeepers.

Different people mean different things by the aforementioned statement. Most people mean (I believe) that it will not make a good long term home.

[Mzungu]

From having working in a pet store for several years, I saw all too often people pick up oscars and koi for 10-20 gallon tanks thinking that they would buy a bigger tank later. When the time came, those individuals finances weren't in order and they couldn't get the larger tank. They either kept a big fish in a small tank or returned the fish. . . Neither of which is fair to the fish. Keep in mind that fish can't choose their owners. We have to have a certain amount of responsibility at fishkeepers.

That seems to be a common problem. If you want a big fish, be sure to have the appropriate sized tank they require as a full-grown fish NOW. Not later. Not only will they be healthier in the long run, but you'll save a lot of time and money and headaches. Sometimes when the time comes to get a bigger tank, like ATH said, it's just not feasible. So if you can't get the right tank now, before you buy the fish(es), I suggest picking a different fish or saving for the right sized tank necessary to give them what they need.

[doanh]

Thank you very much for the information. I remembered doing some research in the beginning and most people on internet (not from fishbox), recommended a tank with high surface area. No one mentioned the tank to match a specific type of fish, this makes more sense to me.

As for the other question. I was just curious how much does filtration play in the tank too small issue. What if you have three times the rated filtration for a tank instead the rated filtration, does this decrease the overcrowding effect?

[myjohnson]

Yeah, most of the time you can keep more fish with more oxygen.

I just like the took of longer and deeper tanks.