Tank Dimensions Advice

[KCinSoCal]

I rarely post but had a bit of free time so thought I would toss out a few things rattling around in my mind about dimensions.

Pulled these dimensions from random online store as reference.

75 gallons:
48x18x20
48x15x24
60x18x16

125 gallons:
48x24x48
60x18x24
72x18x20

What variety of each of these tanks would be best suited for a specific fish or setting?

For example with my experience, I look at the 75g 60x18x16 and immediately think of a large colony of dwarfs, such as bolivians or apisto with some dithers over head. It would be ideal for that, while the other 2 are waste of money. I feel the same way about the 125g 72x18x20 being head over heels better the the other. I want to get into the larger centrals so I am wondering what sized fish need the extra height? I am of the mindset that floor space means alot more than overhead space.

In keeping smaller convict types (HPR, Cutteri, Sajica, Red Ceibals, etc), what is a good depth? How about RD/Midas or Parachromis, do they appreciate more water over head?

 

[livebearerfreak]

personally id get the 6 foot 125. ( 6 foot by 18 wide by 20 tall ) for the extra length..

 

[MonteSS]

75 gallons:
48x18x20

125 gallons:
72x18x20

120g
48x24x24

100g
60x18x20



These are the standard sizes available. Good luck finding the others.

....Bill

 

[Modest_Man]

For cichlids it's all about the surface (territory) area. They could care less how deep the water is. Tall tanks are built with human aesthetics in mind, not fish behavior. So I'd take the 60x18x16 or the 72x18x20 for any cichlid, regardless.

 

[cichniss]

I would have to agree with modest man, length is going to be more important in this situation then the depth of the water. What types of larger CA's are you looking into?

 

[elting44]

I rarely post but had a bit of free time so thought I would toss out a few things rattling around in my mind about dimensions.

Pulled these dimensions from random online store as reference.

75 gallons:
48x18x20
48x15x24
60x18x16

125 gallons:
48x24x48
60x18x24
72x18x20

What variety of each of these tanks would be best suited for a specific fish or setting?

For example with my experience, I look at the 75g 60x18x16 and immediately think of a large colony of dwarfs, such as bolivians or apisto with some dithers over head. It would be ideal for that, while the other 2 are waste of money. I feel the same way about the 125g 72x18x20 being head over heels better the the other. I want to get into the larger centrals so I am wondering what sized fish need the extra height? I am of the mindset that floor space means alot more than overhead space.

In keeping smaller convict types (HPR, Cutteri, Sajica, Red Ceibals, etc), what is a good depth? How about RD/Midas or Parachromis, do they appreciate more water over head?

The 75 with a 48" x 18" footprint is a good size. It would be ideal for a breeding pair of mid-sized cichlids, such as Jack Dempsey's or Green Terrors. With that footprint you have a lot of options, think of it as a 90 with the top 5" missing But I agree the 60 x 18 is the best of the three 75 g for most applications.

I am interested to see what the experts say here. I am setting up a 135 g (72 x 18 x 25) as a community tank for Convicts, sajica, cutteri and multispinosa. IMO length and width (footprint) is more important that height, as the larger area will provide more territory. I would rather have a 72 x 25 x 18 than the one I have, but I couldn't pass up the deal

Keep in mind, the taller the tank, the bigger pain to gravel-vac

 

[KCinSoCal]

I am interested to see what the experts say here. I am setting up a 135 g (72 x 18 x 25) as a community tank for Convicts, sajica, cutteri and multispinosa. IMO length and width (footprint) is more important that height, as the larger area will provide more territory. I would rather have a 72 x 25 x 18 than the one I have, but I couldn't pass up the deal

Keep in mind, the taller the tank, the bigger pain to gravel-vac

A community tank like that sounds perfect for what I want to try 1st. I have never seen a tank with 72x25x18 dimensions, I would jump at that.

 

[boldtogether]

For cichlids it's all about the surface (territory) area. They could care less how deep the water is. Tall tanks are built with human aesthetics in mind, not fish behavior. So I'd take the 60x18x16 or the 72x18x20 for any cichlid, regardless.

^^AGREE^^100%

 

[elting44]

A community tank like that sounds perfect for what I want to try 1st. I have never seen a tank with 72x25x18 dimensions, I would jump at that.

Yeah it would be sweet. Glasscages makes a 72x24x17 (125g Wide) a 180 Wide is 72 x 24 x 25. That too, would be sweet.

I found the 135g that I purchased in an odd way. A guy posted an ad on CL for a 120g for $80. I emailed him and it looked good, so me and my drove to Colorado (I live in Kansas, he lives in Nebraska, tank was in CO) and when we go there he said he had a friend with a 110g and a 90g for sale. So we go and check it out, the 110g was actually a Oceanic brand 135g dual overflow reef ready tank, and the 90g was also a Oceanic. At the end of the day, me and my old man paid less than 300 bucks for a 90g, 110g (which is what the original ad turned out to be) and a 135g w/ Dual Overflow boxes.

My father claims I got the 135 cause it was my birthday, I say I took it as a finder's fee

But you are in SoCal, where tanks are a dime a dozen. In the midwest, not the case.