BAT Posted July 4 Share Posted July 4 Any suggestions on whether getting long or tall fish tank? Which fish need tall tanks? Which prefer long? happy 4th! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guppysnail Posted July 4 Share Posted July 4 Almost all prefer the extra swim space of a long. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricksonAquatics Posted July 4 Share Posted July 4 When you think about it, most fish really don’t swim up and down - they swim back and forth. I think the only fish I’ve heard that likes a little more vertical space would be angelfish. But they still need turnaround room! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitecloud09 Posted July 4 Share Posted July 4 Long or tall has its place. But if you are looking for a nano tank horizontal swimming space would be better. But a 20g or bigger, longer tanks is what I say. A 20g long to anything higher would be great! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlindsey Posted July 4 Share Posted July 4 I agree with other members for the long over the tall aquarium. On 7/4/2024 at 2:13 PM, Tlindsey said: I agree with other members for the long over the tall aquarium. I did once had a 45 column aquarium but kept seahorse and Mandarin goby in it. So wouldn't rule out the tall aquarium out totally depends on the fish. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony s Posted July 4 Share Posted July 4 Depends on how they swim. Most fish swim horizontally. There are a few that just kind of wander everywhere. Thinking mostly of gourami. Slow swimmers and swim everywhere 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefty o Posted July 4 Share Posted July 4 this is easy, you can get tanks that possess both qualities, get both!!!!!!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepere Posted July 4 Share Posted July 4 Angelfish and discuss can appreciate extra height as they get bigger… 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rube_Goldfish Posted July 5 Share Posted July 5 Other advantages of shallower tanks are a bigger footprint for planting and hardscaping, more possible territories for fish, where that's applicable, and my favorite reason: it makes it easier to get sufficient light to the substrate to grow plants. Water depth dramatically reduces PAR, but that's less of a concern in shallower tanks. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony s Posted July 5 Share Posted July 5 On 7/4/2024 at 10:24 PM, Rube_Goldfish said: Other advantages of shallower tanks are a bigger footprint for planting and hardscaping More places for large batches of cories to school 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMcDermott Posted July 5 Share Posted July 5 Not many advantages for a tall tank, but there are some. If you want several layers of fish then a taller tank works better. I am planning a 65 gallon - 36x18 inch footprint of 40 breeder but 25 inches tall - with hatchetfish that will stay close to the surface, cardinals that prefer to live in the middle level and cory's to live close to the substrate. 40 breeder has the same footprint but not the depth and amount of water to give the various fishes the room they would like. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rube_Goldfish Posted July 5 Share Posted July 5 On 7/5/2024 at 12:30 AM, CMcDermott said: Not many advantages for a tall tank, but there are some. If you want several layers of fish then a taller tank works better. I am planning a 65 gallon - 36x18 inch footprint of 40 breeder but 25 inches tall - with hatchetfish that will stay close to the surface, cardinals that prefer to live in the middle level and cory's to live close to the substrate. 40 breeder has the same footprint but not the depth and amount of water to give the various fishes the room they would like. This is a good point, too. And another advantage of a tall tank is more water volume for dilution and for parameter stability in a smaller footprint than you'd otherwise need. In @CMcDermott 's example, you'd get 25 more gallons, or half again more water, in the same footprint. I know a lot of us here are crazy enough to have whole rooms of tanks but for most folks, space in your home will be a real concern. So there are absolutely pros and cons to both. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony s Posted July 5 Share Posted July 5 (edited) Another thing to think about is maintenance. Low tanks are much easier to clean. Some tall tanks or column tanks are more difficult because your arm is only so long I have a column hex. It can be problematic to get to the bottom Edited July 5 by Tony s 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefty o Posted July 5 Share Posted July 5 On 7/5/2024 at 9:49 AM, Tony s said: Another thing to think about is maintenance. Low tanks are much easier to clean. Some tall tanks or column tanks are more difficult because your arm is only so long that is for sure one issue. a 21" tall tank isnt so bad, but 24" starts to become a bit more difficult. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyxxl Posted July 5 Share Posted July 5 The biggest footprint we can get is better for swimming space, but unless it's a problem I go for the biggest size tank I can justify and know I will enjoy taking care of. Deeper tanks have challenges with cleaning planting etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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