Which would you prefer? Tanks size...

[Conner]

Which tank would you prefer? A standard 48"x13"x20"T 55g, or a 56g column tank that's 30"Lx18"Wx24"T?

I have some fish growing out in a 90g currently, and I need to split some of them up to ease aggression and open up some space in the tank. My brother has both of the above mentioned tanks, and I was just wondering what others would prefer. There is a negligible price difference, and they both come with stands.

I have 7 jurupari, 4 rainbow cichlids, 3 indo datnoids, 2 convicts, and a couple other smaller fish (all juvenile) in this tank, plus 2 adult yellow acara's and a 6" Synodontis Eupteris.

I need to separate some of these fish out into another tank, and I'm trying to decide which fish to move, and which tank would fit them best. What do you guys/girls think?

 

[geronimo69]

Deep tanks are a PIA. Just my opinion.

 

[Conner]

Deep tanks are a PIA. Just my opinion.

I've already got a 90g 48"x18"x24", so the 24" height wouldn't really bother me.

 

[Natalie]

If it was only for rainbows, the 30x18 footprint would be perfect, but I think the cons and acaras would enjoy the extra length to swim.

 

[Conner]

Well, all the fish I listed are currently in the 90g, and need to be separated in in some way, as they're starting to get a little crowded. That list will be split between the 90g tank they are currently in, and the 55/56g tank that I will (probably) get.

If I moved the jurupari, then it would make sense to get the 55g, so they have the longer tank with more substrate for them to sift. If I move the other cichlids, like rainbows and convicts, then it might make more sense to get the 56g, because it takes up less square footage in the room.

Also, the 56g will fit neatly into a corner next to the 90g. The 55g would have to go somewhere else.

 

[Younglin]

I'd get both lol. Use one as a sump or something? Or just fill all three?

 

[Conner]

I'd get both lol. Use one as a sump or something? Or just fill all three?

I wish. If I were going to go that far, I'd just buy his 125g tank and 30g sump and be done with it.

I can only afford one of them, and that will only be if I can convince my fiance the fish need it (c'mon honey, it's only temporary).

 

[ar0wan]

I'm all about realestate
sacrifice height in favor of length/depth anyday
your plants will say the same

 

[insanity0x1]

get the standard 55. a 56 has less surface area which means A) less swimming length, and B) less amount of oxygen present compared to that of a 4ft 55. the fish will be happier in the 55

 

[Younglin]

I wish. If I were going to go that far, I'd just buy his 125g tank and 30g sump and be done with it.

If you can only get one, get the 56. Tall tanks look much nicer IMO.

less amount of oxygen present compared to that of a 4ft 55. the fish will be happier in the 55

Surface area of the water no longer means anything after the invention of power heads and air pumps. Surface agitation is what matters. Surface area helps, but if they both have air pumps the two tanks would have like 0 difference in O2 content.