I'm in a pickle

[japbart]

Which do I choose for a planted freshwater tank? The inhabitants will be Bolivian Rams and laetacara curviceps. It will be heavily planted with aqua soil Amazonia and co2.

Tank 1:
85g acrylic 60x18x18 with stand and 55g sump that used to be saltwater $150

Tank 2:
Acrylic 48x30x20 tank only $100.

Which will be better for the cichlids? I will be running a sump either way and will be adding a canister eheim 2217.

 

[jclyde13]

I would choose tank 2 without hesitation. It will be a much nicer tank to aquascape, and it will give the fish a lot more space.

 

[kno4te]

I would choose tank 2 without hesitation. It will be a much nicer tank to aquascape, and it will give the fish a lot more space.

+1

 

[japbart]

I would choose tank 2 without hesitation. It will be a much nicer tank to aquascape, and it will give the fish a lot more space.

Thank you so much. I know I will be spending more because I have to custom build a stand. I actually have a regular 55g running. so I'll probably make that my sump.

 

[japbart]

anyone else? I'm leaning on tank 2 but I still wanna hear other thoughts on this

 

[ichthyogeek]

Tank 1: if the rams and laetacara really don't get along, I would get this tank. It also comes with a sump for you to put filtration media, and your life support system (heater, thermometer, etc.) There's 5 feet of room for the fish to swim away. However, dwarf cichlids are not that aggressive, so I'd go with tank 2.

Tank 2: It has really good surface area, which is good for the fish because they have better DO levels due to surface area, and more territory as well. It's also bigger gallonage wise, so it can handle any unexpected swings in parameters more easily. Since you're using an even bigger tank for the sump, that makes it really good for your fish.

 

[japbart]

Tank 1: if the rams and laetacara really don't get along, I would get this tank. It also comes with a sump for you to put filtration media, and your life support system (heater, thermometer, etc.) There's 5 feet of room for the fish to swim away. However, dwarf cichlids are not that aggressive, so I'd go with tank 2.

Tank 2: It has really good surface area, which is good for the fish because they have better DO levels due to surface area, and more territory as well. It's also bigger gallonage wise, so it can handle any unexpected swings in parameters more easily. Since you're using an even bigger tank for the sump, that makes it really good for your fish.

I was thinking tank 1 has an extra 12" in length but it's kind of the same in tank 2 but in width. I have a 55g that I can make into a sump or I can just by one since this is my first time using a sump.I've been wanting to for a long time but just didn't get around to it. Thanks for your feedback. Now my only problem is building the stand. lol

 

[Lepisosteus]

buy both aquariums you decide which one you prefer then the one you don't like as much sell for $100 profit.

 

[japbart]

buy both aquariums you decide which one you prefer then the one you don't like as much sell for $100 profit.

That's what I'll be doing. Lol thanks

I'm only leaning towards tank 1 Cause it has a 55g sump and stand already. Tank 2 is just bare. But the footprint of tank 2 is really nice.

 

[Anthony Nolet]

That's what I'll be doing. Lol thanks

I'm only leaning towards tank 1 Cause it has a 55g sump and stand already. Tank 2 is just bare. But the footprint of tank 2 is really nice.

Yeah that is an awesome footprint, lots of swimming room and it's not too deep to reach in and grab stuff if you need to! Not that the other one is too deep lol. I would just get the second one and build a new tank stand top to set on top of your current tank stand. I built a stand for a 55 gallon but I upgraded and couldn't build a new stand since I wasn't in wood shop anymore with all the tools, I just bought a sheet of plywood and some solid oak for trim then I made a new top for the stand that just sits on the old one.