What do we really mean by tank size?

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There is no doubt in my mind ( perhaps only there ) that when we speak of "tank size" in capacity ( litres/gallons ) we include the sump and we include the space which is physically divided in one tank.
(I have my wolves in divided tanks, but when I consider the water they're in, I consider the total tank capacity ).

The other "parameter" to be considered is the "space", the elbow room a fish needs to thrive. It can be a tank like a tower, loads of gallons, loads of water, and still be unsuitable for a lot of species.

At the end of the day both these factors are important, albeit the "space" is the sine qua non of the equation , i would say....
 
It's both but IMO the footprint is the most critical and the one factor that I normally consider. More filtration and extra water changes can always be done. But you can't make your tank bigger so the fish can turn around.
 
Some of the nicest aro's we see are in relatively small tanks.
U’re right, a good distinguishing experiment would be to take fish from the same spawn, grow them out in different conditions and look for experimental differences.

What would we test for?
Rate of growth? Size after a year? Size after two years?
I think there must be better ways to test for health that growth.

Perhaps size of subsequent spawn i.e. fecundity?
Fertility perhaps?
Immune response (immune resistance and immune resilience)?
 
js302;885758; said:
Some of the nicest aro's we see are in relatively small tanks.
U’re right, a good distinguishing experiment would be to take fish from the same spawn, grow them out in different conditions and look for experimental differences.

What would we test for?
Rate of growth? Size after a year? Size after two years?
I think there must be better ways to test for health that growth.

Perhaps size of subsequent spawn i.e. fecundity?
Fertility perhaps?
Immune response (immune resistance and immune resilience)?
Click to expand...


This has been done for some species, search for University studies.

Dr Joe

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I think as with ALL other fish rules you can not have a hard and fast rule on this line of thinking. If you have an active fish, say an aro but you confine the space by divideing the tank you will end up with problems but if you take the same type of restrictions for a fish such as say a piranah who is not as active its not the same problems that you run into due to the fact that the needs of the fish are differnt.
You need to look at a lot of things when you look at tank size. Otherwise your just doing an inch of fish for a gallon of water.
 
What do we really mean by tank size?

seems pretty straight forward.......it is the size of the tank and it is completely described by the dimensions.

different fish require different tank sizes.......and different water parameters and temps etc....

how much can you say about the size of a tank.....

the big discussion is what size tank is required for different fish !!! my 2 cents
 
i think it refers to both because you have to look at space needed and diluting properties of water. like you COULD heep it in a 20G but it would requre almost 100% WC's daily. oppositely, you could keep one in a pond (natural style) and NEVER have to change water.
 
i'm pretty sure one oscar could live perfectly fine in a 300 with a ten gallon sump as long as u had wicked flow and had the ten packed with biomedia
 
I think this is getting a little too esoteric & redundant. This really isn't discussing setup or filtration in the physical sense. Maybe it should go to the lounge...

Dr Joe

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