Are longer tanks better than wider?
- Thread starter LBUK
- Start date
I’d say go for the 5.5 footer instead of the 4 footer.
Also most people write the dimesions as length x width x height
Also most people write the dimesions as length x width x height
I also prefer longer tanks ( at least 6 ft of length for any cichlid that reaches 10" or so), territorial fish like cichlids often will accept half a longer tank as its territory, rather than half a shorter one. You should consider all cichlids as territorial.
Most medium size cichlids need at least 4 sq ft of territory, and might accept 4ft long tank length part as there own, especially if trying to put two species per tank. This gives the less dominant species at least two ft to live with (actually 2 ft is a bit wimpy).
In short tanks, we often see a dominant pair pushing less dominant individuals into upper corners, of those 4 ft tanks, creating enough stress in the isolated cichlids, to make them susceptible to disease, or even death.
If the tank is for only one individual or a pair, a wider, yet shorter tank may be acceptable, but not for more than one species (IMO).
Most medium size cichlids need at least 4 sq ft of territory, and might accept 4ft long tank length part as there own, especially if trying to put two species per tank. This gives the less dominant species at least two ft to live with (actually 2 ft is a bit wimpy).
In short tanks, we often see a dominant pair pushing less dominant individuals into upper corners, of those 4 ft tanks, creating enough stress in the isolated cichlids, to make them susceptible to disease, or even death.
If the tank is for only one individual or a pair, a wider, yet shorter tank may be acceptable, but not for more than one species (IMO).
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I go for the greater length as long as the width is sufficient for the fish. The extra length will allow you to make more territory and sigh-breaks to keep aggression down hopefully. I feel for Oscars and green terrors the 18" is an acceptable width (about the minimum width for a possibly 15" Oscar, IMO) so I would also go for the 66" tank.
Going against the grain....I'd go with the shorter and deeper tank. 4 feet wide makes it quite a bit easier to find a spot for it in your house, and the extra 6" of depth gives a good bit extra room for aquascaping, easier to fit big pieces of driftwood etc in it, etc.
Its a tank and stand oak setup from a company I got second hand. Im not sure why its an odd size I assumed it was a full 6ft when I bought it.
The 56" is the tank they are already in currently I was looking at potentially buying a new one and was curious if a 24" wide would work.