120/100 gal vs 150/80 gal dual tank setup.

[Backfromthedead]

hey everybody. my latest upgrade scheme is to upgrade my stacked 75 gallon setup to larger tanks. want to keep a community type setup in the top larger tank and a single or pair of fish in the lower. the tanks will be 4'x2' footprint, im just trying to decide on the heights.

two options will (1)150 gal. 48x24x30h and 80 gal 48x24x16h or (2) 120 gal. 48x24x24h and 100 gal 48x24x20h.

i guess my biggest question mark is whether the 16" tank will be an adequate height for a single medium-sized cichlid tank (flowerhorn, midevil type size). this tank will have ac110s mounted for filtration.

looking for any input, opinions, expertise.

thanks!

 

[Backfromthedead]

no love? not even one vote? this is just like high school again...

 

[jaws7777]

I like option 2 because of the 30inch height on the 150

 

[Backfromthedead]

I like option 2 because of the 30inch height on the 150

ok so you like the 24" better. option 1 would be more work as well because i would have to lover the top rack to accommodate the taller 150. i do really like the tall tank though.

what are your thoughts on the 100 vs 80 gallon for a lone larger fish? does that 4" height make much a difference?

also to consider. the option 1 tanks will cost around $400 less to procure. unlesd i built the tanks myself in which case they wpuld be about the same.

thanks!

 

[jaws7777]

It depends i like the dimensions on the 120/100 combo

What cichlids do you plan on keeping ?

 

[Backfromthedead]

It depends i like the dimensions on the 120/100 combo

What cichlids do you plan on keeping ?

it will be either my jd, flowerhorn, or red devil at first. they each have their own tank setup now but i plan to keep one for the lower tank and rehome the other two, move my SA community from my 95 hex to the top tank, then start fresh with the hex.

nothing larger than a red devil though. in theory i could also do a 120/120 stack setup since the 48x24x24 costs the same as a 48x24x20. a 150/120 stack would be pushing it both weight wise and height for where im putting it though.

 

[jaws7777]

it will be either my jd, flowerhorn, or red devil at first. they each have their own tank setup now but i plan to keep one for the lower tank and rehome the other two, move my SA community from my 95 hex to the top tank, then start fresh with the hex.

nothing larger than a red devil though. in theory i could also do a 120/120 stack setup since the 48x24x24 costs the same as a 48x24x20. a 150/120 stack would be pushing it both weight wise and height for where im putting it though.

Idk i feel like 16 high is a little shallow. Maybe ok for the jd. Is yours active?

 

[Backfromthedead]

Idk i feel like 16 high is a little shallow. Maybe ok for the jd. Is yours active?

as long as hes the dominant fish in the tank yes. to be honest id like to keep the devil. i also want to plumb the tanks together at some point so its gonna be difficult to keep the jd in the same water my sa community will be in. long term goal will be sa community up top and maybe a pair of pikes on the bottom rack.

48x24x16 for a pair of crenicichla or am i being too hopeful?

 

[jaws7777]

as long as hes the dominant fish in the tank yes. to be honest id like to keep the devil. i also want to plumb the tanks together at some point so its gonna be difficult to keep the jd in the same water my sa community will be in. long term goal will be sa community up top and maybe a pair of pikes on the bottom rack.

48x24x16 for a pair of crenicichla or am i being too hopeful?

Idk much about pikes. Rocksor

 

[Rocksor]

as long as hes the dominant fish in the tank yes. to be honest id like to keep the devil. i also want to plumb the tanks together at some point so its gonna be difficult to keep the jd in the same water my sa community will be in. long term goal will be sa community up top and maybe a pair of pikes on the bottom rack.

48x24x16 for a pair of crenicichla or am i being too hopeful?

Dwarf crenicichla like regani or compressiceps would work. The largest pike I would put in there would be a belly crawler. Redfin or purple wolf fish wouldn't mind a shallow tank.

I'm pretty sure bichirs wouldn't mind a tank that shallow, right J jaws7777 ?