All male 72” long tank choices

[Eric1115]

This may sound extremely silly but I think what I would do if I was looking to get multiple fish that grow over 10 inches is lay out on the floor in tape the front glass dimensions of the different tanks. Cut out of paper your ideal stock list full grown and place them within the confines of the taped area. While I know this won’t take depth in to consideration you can at least see how crowded the tank would look. I know djransome likes to stock lighter than me for a more natural looking tank while Cjaco stocks way more heavily than I like. I am not saying either is wrong but sometimes it comes down to your personal preference.

Not a bad idea, I have watch a lot of video of tanks on youtube that are kind of crowded with large Haps and I am ok with the look. My concern is does that last. I can never get any answer from those who post the video on how long the tank last crowded like that. I personally like a little crowed tank but only if the fish are not going to die or suffer due to it . I originally thought 300 was big enough. I really thought 300 was big, haha, but now it sounds like not really.

 

[Eric1115]

I know Plywood tank can be cheaper and can build a huge tank for lower cost plus I would imagine it would be easier to get the pieces into the house. Anyone has any idea if there are company or people who would build plywood tank for customer? I am not handy so wouldn't be able to build myself.

 

[DJRansome]

If you have the right ratio the males are fine. Stocking mixed gender can limit your selections to avoid cross breeding. But for example I like 18 males in a 72" tank but 25 mixed gender. IF they mature <= six inches.

 

[Eric1115]

If you have the right ratio the males are fine. Stocking mixed gender can limit your selections to avoid cross breeding. But for example I like 18 males in a 72" tank but 25 mixed gender. IF they mature <= six inches.

ok I see, you meant multiple breeding groups, but that would mean only 3-4 male at most in the tank. There are just too many species I like and if I do it that way, I would need a lot of different tanks or a 5000 gallon tank if not bigger. I like all male cause it lets me stock all different species and not have to worry about hybrid fry. I still have a tank of Hybrid Mbuna that I don't have the heart to kill. so basically a whole tank tight up just for Hybrid until they run their course. I did try to stock with proper ratio when I first started and keep 5 sync cats but fry still survived after years and eventually I started losing track.

 

[A201]

I like the 180 option. Plenty big enough to have two or three big Haps w/ remaining area for numerous mid sized & smaller Haps.
At some point over stocking starts to look like the assorted cichlid tank at the LFS. Lol.
Its a good idea to strike a happy medium between loaded & sparce.

 

[Eric1115]

I like the 180 option. Plenty big enough to have two or three big Haps w/ remaining area for numerous mid sized & smaller Haps.
At some point over stocking starts to look like the assorted cichlid tank at the LFS. Lol.
Its a good idea to strike a happy medium between loaded & sparce.

Thanks, so if 180 allows me to have 3 large hap and some small and mid haps. Would the 300 will allow me to stock 5 large haps?

How many in a 180 that would work long term vs how many in 300?

 

[A201]

Too many factors to compute. You'll have to research what you want, consider what is known about a particular species, then piece together an appropriate sized community for the space provided.

 

[Eric1115]

Too many factors to compute. You'll have to research what you want, consider what is known about a particular species, then piece together an appropriate sized community for the space provided.

Thanks, still just trying to figure what the difference will be between a 180 and 300 and how many more haps I can have based on their dimension. I know there are a lot of factors due to different species, aggression level even individual fish personality, but putting all that aside, purely from just the fish tank dimension, like the extra width between 180 and 300, does it allow more larger haps assuming exact same fish.

That is really what I am trying to find out so I can make an educated decision on what to purchase. My goal is to house 25 male Haps including some of the larger one all in a single tank, so want to know if the tank requirement is something I can in reality achieve. If not, then my next option is to split the fishes into two tanks, one the current 125 and the other one based on the requirement of the remaining fish. I rather house of them together if possible.

Maybe I forgot to mention, I already have these 25 Haps, so want to get the proper permanent tank for them and not temporary. Don't want to rehome them, unless in the future due to aggression or something and not due to lack of space.

For example, purely an example ,cause I don't know and is hoping someone who actually did it in the past or currently doing it and have successful experience to share the details.

To house all 25 haps, it will take a 500 gallon 96" tank or a 10 feet tank, or not possible to house that many together unless over 2000 gallon, etc..

If it's not something can be achieve, then I am hoping to figure out what tank I need besides the 125 to split the fish I have.
For example, for the 125, I can keep 15 Haps, 2 large, 4 mid and 9 small. Then I will need a 180 for the remaining 5 large and 5 mid. Again purely example, the only known fact is the 125 and the 25 Haps. If it helps, I can list the Haps I have.

Sorry for the long post. Really just wanted to do it right. I know I probably should have done all these research and got the proper setup before getting all these fish, but I think it's not too late to start now.

Thank you for the help and suggestion everyone is giving.

 

[The Morning]

Eric I hate to say it but I don’t think there is a definitive answer to your question. Pretty sure you know every tank and every fish is different. Combinations that work In My tank may be a disaster in yours. My personal opinion is stock as you want. The more volume of water the better. But be prepared to move stock as needed.

 

[esoxlucius]

As mentioned previously, one guys recommendations, which are fine in his tank, might not work in your set up, too many variables.

For now, i'd get the biggest tank you can get through that door, and take it from there. Trial and error at first but eventually you'll work out the combo that works for you.