new tank size?

[superleggera123]

IMO a 55 is perfect.. i have a 60 gallon long which is 4 and 1/2 feet. Its perfect... Cichlids prefer length more than anything so a 55 is good. If you are keeping Mbuna only than 55 is perfect..even if you wanted to add haps but mbuna should be kept with mbuna only. Just worry about you filtration.
Sure a 75 gallon is nice but for the amount of fish you wanna keep its not needed. At the end of the day it is your choice but for 189$ you can get the Tetra 55 gallon package which gives you the MOST bang for your buck..
Anywaz... its ur choice and GOODluck with everything
~superleggera

 

[kingyella]

if space is a issue i would go for the 75g, its what i started out with, and it housed 15 mbuna. Like you mentioned earlier mbuna don't really swim along the top so paying extra for a taller tank is not necessary. But if you find a deal on a 120g and the 24" depth is not a problem i would go for it. Bigger is always better.

 

[fsc46]

... If i can convince her to put the tank in my son's room, then we can totally do a 120...

I strongly recommend you don't put a large tank in any bedroom. It may increase the humidity level to an unsafe level for people & could cause mold to grow which is another problem.

 

[swede]

I strongly recommend you don't put a large tank in any bedroom. It may increase the humidity level to an unsafe level for people & could cause mold to grow which is another problem.

the humidity level i'm not concerned with cuz i live in FLORIDA and we have central air thank goodness. as for the mold, how would that be different in any other room?

 

[12 Volt Man]

i'm on a first floor so its on a slab.

then I would go with a 48x24x30 150 gallon.

if you are limited to 4 feet in length, you might benefit from the biggest volume you can in that space.

the 30" height is a pain to clean, but well worth the awesome looks.

150 talls look fantastic.

that would give lots of room for rock work too.

if not, then definately the 120 size for sure

 

[12 Volt Man]

I dont think humidity would be a problem with a proper glass top and plastic trim on the back to seal it. I use that on my 150 and I get very little evaporatoin at all.

you can see where the water has condensed on the inside of the glass top/trim, but it stays in the tank as it falls back down.

you just cut holes for your filter/heater stuff in the plastic trim that comes with the standard glass top.

works like a charm.

 

[Tom500]

I wouls simply say, go as large as you can reasonably afford and have the room for, you can never have a tank that is too large.

 

[swede]

I wouls simply say, go as large as you can reasonably afford and have the room for, you can never have a tank that is too large.

amen to that!

 

[uncwnells]

i agree, get the lasrgest tank you can find within your budget and space limitations. You wont regret a tank being too big, I assure you.

 

[Deepsouth]

I just noticed your comment about being on a budget, so I would recommend the 75. I originally voted for the 90G.