Footprint vs number of gallons
- Thread starter doomiedee
- Start date
Footprint is more important. there was already a thread about this if you scroll down a little.
for example
5x1x2 = 75 gallon skinny long tank
my tank, 5x3x2 = 225 gallon super wide tank
both the above measurements are 5 foot long 2 foot tall tanks. so as you can see the footprint is far more important. If you have a 12" wide tank, with a 12" fish in there, the fish can only swim up and down pacing. this is very cruel. its why you can't keep oscars in a 55g tank. they need a larger footprint.
remember, wider is always better than taller. length and width are the footprint, which dictates what fish can live in there. the height is really only for asthetic purposes as fish don't swim vertically. the only benefit of a taller tank would be if you are keeping deep bodied fish like giant gourami.
for example
5x1x2 = 75 gallon skinny long tank
my tank, 5x3x2 = 225 gallon super wide tank
both the above measurements are 5 foot long 2 foot tall tanks. so as you can see the footprint is far more important. If you have a 12" wide tank, with a 12" fish in there, the fish can only swim up and down pacing. this is very cruel. its why you can't keep oscars in a 55g tank. they need a larger footprint.
remember, wider is always better than taller. length and width are the footprint, which dictates what fish can live in there. the height is really only for asthetic purposes as fish don't swim vertically. the only benefit of a taller tank would be if you are keeping deep bodied fish like giant gourami.
I'm not sure. I Know they can get 5 feet long. so that would be like keeping a 12" cichlid in a 24x12 tank.
Don't quote me on this cause I don't know a whole lot about RTC's but for a fully grown one I think it wouldn't be big enough
Don't quote me on this cause I don't know a whole lot about RTC's but for a fully grown one I think it wouldn't be big enough
Honestly depends on the situation, its kind of a broad question that depends on what type of fish you are talking about. Cichlids need a larger foot print but if its not enough water you will have health issues unless you stay on top of water quality.
so will a rtc be able to live in a 10'x5'x 1.5' rectangle pond? i mean they reach 5' in size but by then it will be in a real pond once it reaches about 3'
If its gone by the time it reaches 3' then it would be fine... I don't agree with doing what im about to type. But I've seen 3ft tsn in a 220 and it was perfectly healthy... Idk how it turned around and I felt bad for it. But it was in clean water with great filtration and well fed
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Also, please be aware if in uncovered outdoor pond under strong sun, too much sun in shallow water can burn fish. Suggest if in uncovered outdoor pond in tropics or semi-tropics, need at least 3 ft water depth in outside pond before get some UV protection from strong sun.
Neither, and both... 1.5 fishes max captive growth potential for depth, 4x for length and 1x for height generally... and the dirtier the species the more water volume outweighs footprint...also need to take in the fishes general husbandry needs, ie if its a constant swimmer or more sedate in general. ect. thats why you always hear people say " You can never have to big a tank" because with only a rare few exceptions... this is true.