30 vs 30 Breeder

[TheFishDodo]

So I purchased a 30 gallon last weelend but I didnt read the part on cl where it said it was an old turtle tank. I come home and I find so many deep scratches in the glass. So out with that tank. Now I am trying to decide if I want to order a new 30 (36x12x16) or if I want to order a 30 breeder (36x18x12). It is going to be my only tank so sort of a display but I dont know if what I am going to stock it with will need the space of a 30 breeder. The stocking plan is.
1 keyhole cichlid
1 african butterfly cichlid
1 festivum
6 skunk or sterbai corydoras
10 medium sized tetras (dont know what species yet)
1 starlight pleco
And maybe an African brown knifefish or spiny eel. (Something that is shy but still has personality)
The theme of the tank is going to be shy but personable fish.

Heres a turtle for reading this whole post

 

[Gourami Swami]

Breeder is always better, the fish use the 6" width more than the 6" height. Unless you are keeping discus, or other tall fish, always go for LxW more than height.

 

[DMD123]

The cost to order a 30B will likely be higher than just getting a 40B from Petco when they do the 1/2 price sale (Used to be $1 per gallon back in the day )
Just a thought...

 

[TheFishDodo]

The cost to order a 30B will likely be higher than just getting a 40B from Petco when they do the 1/2 price sale (Used to be $1 per gallon back in the day )
Just a thought...

I would love to go with a 40B but I live in a house built in 1859 and my mom thinks that the aquarium will go right through the floor. (Even though it probably wouldn't) On another note I just my Hydor external heater in from Amazon and I think it was used cause it all scuffed with no bubble wrap.

 

[DMD123]

I would love to go with a 40B but I live in a house built in 1859 and my mom thinks that the aquarium will go right through the floor. (Even though it probably wouldn't) On another note I just my Hydor external heater in from Amazon and I think it was used cause it all scuffed with no bubble wrap.

Hard to say how the home was constructed unless someone wanted to crawl underneath and look... But likely if it would hold the 30b it would hold the 40b. To be safe I would also look at a stand that has a flat bottom to spread the weight as opposed to one with individual points (legs).

Sorry to hear about the heater. Ive used the Hydor in line and like the fact you get it out of the tank. Gives a little more realism to the tank and no worries about fish burning themselves.

 

[TheFishDodo]

Hard to say how the home was constructed unless someone wanted to crawl underneath and look... But likely if it would hold the 30b it would hold the 40b. To be safe I would also look at a stand that has a flat bottom to spread the weight as opposed to one with individual points (legs).

Yea I keep on trying to tell her that but nope she doesnt think the house will support the load.

 

[Hendre]

I'd say pass on the knifefish. They really like having some space to explore

Maybe festivum too, I've seen some massive ones in my time. Maybe 8" or so

 

[DMD123]

I was thinking that there is also a 33L that would work well. Basically a 55 gallon footprint just not as tall...

 

[Gourami Swami]

A house that has stood for over 150 years, is going to be strong enough to hold an aquarium. Especially if strategically placed on a beam. I know your mom might not want to hear that though. Her house, her rules, and all that.

I had a 33 gallon long and I liked the size. You are planning on stocking heavily, the extra space would be helpful.

 

[duanes]

My house in Wisconsin was built in the mid 1800s, and I had at least 1,000 gallons of aquariums spread out on the 1st floor. Back then they built homes with 12" and 16" beams in that part of the country, probably stronger than anything used today.