honestly I say the 6 foot long tank is really the way to go. Just think many cichlids you get will grow up to ~1 foot. And with 1 flick of there tail they are already across 6 feet in my tanks.
Now foot plan you can also see that you get less if you go the 4 ft instead of the 6 foot. Also the tanks just have much more of a presence. Trust me people will walk into my living room and say that looks like a nice tank and compliment me on it (the 75 that is). Then I say why don't have a look at the 135 in my bedroom, and the instant I open the door they are saying wow and gasping. I don't know why but that extra 2 feet just jars them more.
So yes I say don't get the 4 ft tank, find a way to fit in the 6 ft tank. You will be much happier in the long run.
Note and for swimming room: 4 ft 120 gives you ~1200 sq inches.
6 foot tank gives ~1341 sq inches. Obviously the more the better, and have you ever seen large fish swim back in forth in 2 feet of space if the had 4 feet to swim back and forth in.... So would they likely give up the 6 inches for 24 more inches the other way... yes.
Now foot plan you can also see that you get less if you go the 4 ft instead of the 6 foot. Also the tanks just have much more of a presence. Trust me people will walk into my living room and say that looks like a nice tank and compliment me on it (the 75 that is). Then I say why don't have a look at the 135 in my bedroom, and the instant I open the door they are saying wow and gasping. I don't know why but that extra 2 feet just jars them more.
So yes I say don't get the 4 ft tank, find a way to fit in the 6 ft tank. You will be much happier in the long run.
Note and for swimming room: 4 ft 120 gives you ~1200 sq inches.
6 foot tank gives ~1341 sq inches. Obviously the more the better, and have you ever seen large fish swim back in forth in 2 feet of space if the had 4 feet to swim back and forth in.... So would they likely give up the 6 inches for 24 more inches the other way... yes.
