Which tanks dimensions are better?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
m1ste2tea said:
both would be great to have, but if I had to choose one I'd go for the 8 ft tank. More stunning IMO. but if I was to keep fish that needed a large turning circle such as gars or arowanas Id go for the wider tank. The longer tank would be better at housing more of the smaller types of fish because it gives them more of a spacial seperation, some territory to claim. In terms of practicality, the 8 ft tank would probably take up a whole wall of a room while the wider tank would stick out more, Id almost want to have such a tank in the middle of a room so that I can walk around it.
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The 60" would be to short for any arowana over 24", not that the 8 footer would be any better as it is to narrow for any aro over 24".
 
NCStateFisher said:
whats harder about that? a substantially higher cost for the light itself and a good amount more to your power bill every month
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smoyer said:
yeah 2 400s should do you for the 60 in tank the 8 footer will need to have 4 250s...on plus some vhos for dust/daylight functions...this is for stoney corals....what do you to use the tank for?
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Sounds to me like the 8' tank would add more to the light bill. 1000 watts for 8' vs. 800 watts on the 5'. Plus you have to buy four light fixtures opposed to two. But this is all besides the point, isn't he going freshwater? I love 30" tall tanks but 5' is too short.
 
I prefer length.
 
Jimmy16 said:
im stocking my tank with CA/SA cichlids if that helps.
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I would go for the 8x2 footer, that considerable additional 3 feet of length gives additional room for territory. If it was 36" wide instead of 30" I might go that route, but since it's only an extra 6" width I'd go for the extra 36" length for sure. We are talking aggressive fish that need room, not what's pleasing to the eye here. If it was a standard display for smaller fish or larger fish that aren't territorial you could go either way.
 
I'd prefer the 8'x2'x2' tank over the 5'x2.5'x2.5' any day of the week, unless you're keeping rays. 8' tank is going to look just stunning. The fish will have a long distance to swim before turning around. (It would be a perfect tank for my old jardini :)) It's going to be breathtaking to see black arowanas swimming in that long tank. And the width is fine at 2'.

And you're stocking cichlids, which the longer tank will work better for anyway.

Keep us posted on your decision and with pics of the new tank.

edit: expecting to be flamed for the "width is fine at 2'" statement above soon...
 
Ive had a 60" tank (120g 60x18x26) and thought that it was a bit short for my fish and they are not even that big. At the time I need a shorter tank and this was the best choice. There are times I watch the fish and can tell they could use just a bit more room to run. My new 72" tank (210g 72x24x29) seems to have a better layout and the extra foot in length will be appreciated by my fish. So if it were me I would go for the longer tank.
 
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