Minimum tank height requirements

[Backfromthedead]

Tank height seems to be the least important dimension for many of the fish we keep, but how shallow is too shallow?

Long story short, I'm putting together a new tank, I've got all the glass to make a 72Lx36Wx15H "shallow" 150g tank, with a waterline of around 14". If I go any taller i will have to order more glass which really isn't in the budget right now.

I am thinking its gonna be a single species clown loach or maybe a pimelodid tank, would really like to try a tigrinus or maybe even leptobotia if I could find some. but possibly a solo larger cichlid like a Haitian or argentea.

I'm just worried that this tank will only be so useful and I won't be able to use it for the larger fish I'm after, so what are some opinions on minimum height for these fish?

 

[tlindsey]

Tank height seems to be the least important dimension for many of the fish we keep, but how shallow is too shallow?

Long story short, I'm putting together a new tank, I've got all the glass to make a 72Lx36Wx15H "shallow" 150g tank, with a waterline of around 14". If I go any taller i will have to order more glass which really isn't in the budget right now.

I am thinking its gonna be a single species clown loach or maybe a pimelodid tank, would really like to try a tigrinus or maybe even leptobotia if I could find some. but possibly a solo larger cichlid like a Haitian or argentea.

I'm just worried that this tank will only be so useful and I won't be able to use it for the larger fish I'm after, so what are some opinions on minimum height for these fish?

It depends on the species and what area of the aquarium they like to swim. That aquarium would be ideal for most bottom dwellers imo. I personally would put the Cichlid you mentioned in a taller aquarium.

 

[fishguy1978]

I would do a heavy planting of swords. That depth is fairly close to a 10g and you wouldn't need crazy intense light to grow anything. Bolivian Rams, rainbow cichlids, meeki possibly, Cory cats for sure, geophagus definitely. You could potentially do severums.

 

[Backfromthedead]

I would do a heavy planting of swords. That depth is fairly close to a 10g and you wouldn't need crazy intense light to grow anything. Bolivian Rams, rainbow cichlids, meeki possibly, Cory cats for sure, geophagus definitely. You could potentially do severums.

Gah. These fish dont interest me. I'm almost certainly going for fish that top out in the 12-18" range, but most likely bottom dwelling fish like pim cats or loaches.

 

[fishguy1978]

Arowana

 

[tlindsey]

Arowana

Too shallow for a full grown Arowana. I think slender specie like Pike Cichlid may work.

 

[altums85]

I love shallow wide tanks. My future tank will be a wider shallow tank. I currently have a customize 72x24x20. And I think the 18-20" height is perfect. Not to shallow and not to high. In the future if I change my stocking I would be ok with various species. At 15" it's pretty shallow if u do decide to change things up and want larger fish. But if u are set on keeping a certain fish that don't require more height then I think your dimension are good in my opinion. My future tank when I buy a house would be something like 72x48x18-20"

 

[Toby_H]

Most of the large bottom dwelling fish youre considering live in the bottom of deep areas in nature.

My concern would be them jumping out in search of deeper waters. So if you proceed be sure to make a solid top.

Personally, that tank has Geo, Apisto & Ram written all over it...

 

[Backfromthedead]

Most of the large bottom dwelling fish youre considering live in the bottom of deep areas in nature.

My concern would be them jumping out in search of deeper waters. So if you proceed be sure to make a solid top.

Personally, that tank has Geo, Apisto & Ram written all over it...

Yes a tight lid would be necessary. Geos are a good idea, I dont know if I'm into them enough right now to dedicate a whole tank too. I would consider a lone male brasiliensis with a bunch of cories if that was doable.

 

[Deadeye]

Would it be good for Ray species?