20 Gallon Long Or 29 Gallon?

Hello everyone!!

I am just new to this hobby, but already thinking about my next tank!

I am debating between 20 gallon long or a 29 gallon... I would like to have it moderately planted, soil with sand cap, ferts and root tabs, no CO2 though.

For stocking, I was thinking 6-8 dwarf cories (pygmies or pandas maybe), a school of somebody bright coloured (rasboras maybe), and a Bolivian ram (or an apisto...could I have both??).

I guess first of all, does that stocking even work?? My (well) water is hard, 180GH and 180KH, high pH (current tanks run 8.0-8.2). We do have RO water as well, but I am nervous about mixing it and messing things up.

What tank would be best for those fish? Would they appreciate the extra height of the 29?

With the extra height of the 29 gallon would I need a different light than what would come standard? Should I have a different light anyway for the 20 gallon?

Sorry for all the questions, I still have so much to learn!!

Thanks in advance!!

Leticia

 

I would do the Bolivians and Cories, but not the Apistos too. You could switch the Rams with Apistos, the reason I wouldn’t do all of them is because they’re all bottom dwelling fish. I’d just do a 20 long, most fish don’t care about height.

 

Thank you AquaticJ for your quick reply!!

Could I have a school of rasboras (or a different nano fish) with the cories and the Bolivian Ram??

 

Thank you AquaticJ for your quick reply!!

Could I have a school of rasboras (or a different nano fish) with the cories and the Bolivian Ram??

You sure could.

What about:
8 Rasbora
8 Cories
Male and female Rams

You may be able to add more to each school, but personally I like to moderately stock my tanks.

 

Awesome!! Thank you! 8 seems great, I don't want to overstock at all

I would love to have 2 rams if that is possible, is a male/female pair best? Or two males or two females? Which would cause the least stress to them, tank mates, me??

 

A male and female pair would be your best bet!

 

Wonderful, thank you for all your help AquaticJ !!

I can't wait to create this tank!

 

I would go with the 29.

More water=more moderate swings in parameters everything else being the same.

I have both, enjoy both but the 29 just seems to be easier to maintain.

 

Thank you Hunter1 ! Except now I have two differing opinions and have to make my own decision, which I was trying to avoid!! Haha!!

If I go with a 29, could I have a bigger school of rasbora? If the cories and the rams like the bottom, I don't want the middle-top to look empty (although with plants it won't be empty).

Regarding lights though, the difference in depth of the 20long VS 29 gallon...would I need different lighting between the two?? More expensive to light the 29 because of the added 6" of depth??

Thank you for your help!

 

Some people seem to think that a solitary male apisto is a decent fish for a community tank.

 

I use nicree lights from amazon (theyre2 cheap) and they light my 29s just fine. I get plenty of plant growth. Actually maybe they light them too well, I've had to cut back to just two three hour photoperiods to keep the hair algae in check. And I only feed those tanks four days a week. Anywho, the 6" of depth shouldnt make much of a difference so long as your light wasn't garbage to begin with. If your light ends up not being strong enough.... Look up the nicrew brand on amazon. Cheap, works nicely.

In a 29 you could have a larger school of the rasboras as they will have more mid and upper room to swim. If you get the panda corydoras they are traditional bottom dwellers and spend most ofbtheir time their. Pygmy corydoras actually spend more time off the ground and swimming in the lower half of your tank like more traditional schoolers. So I'd go with pandas for your bottom dwellers.

 

I have both a 20 long and 29, I see absolutely no difference in parameter swings, even when my 20 has a heavier stock. I mean, 9 gallons really isn’t going to make much of a difference, and you should be doing weekly water changes of 25-50% anyway. That said, my 29 is planted and I don’t have problems even with a low-medium light.

 

I have a 6500 Beamworks on both my 20L and my 29.

Plants are better in the 20L but that’s because it’s at my house where I do 2Xs a week water changes versus at work where I do weekly water changes.

I use NilocG Thrive at work which includes nitrates. That, with a moderately stocked tank and only weekly water changes, I only dose 1X a week.

At home I use NilocG micros and micros, dose each 2Xs a week and do 2 water changes weekly, most weeks. The adding nitrates spooks me since although plants need them, they are toxic to fish in excess.

I truly believe if the 29 was at home, with the same maintenance as my other tanks, the 29 would do as well, or better.

The confidence is because I have 3 20 talls and a 36 BF, all as tall or taller than a 29. My plants do great in those. And 2 of them have the same, Beamworks 6500.

I just don’t want to stay after work more than one night a week to do water changes and dead fish from excessive nitrates in an office tank are a no no.

 

Deff 29 gallon. It's essentially the same footprint as the 20 long but if you stock the same as you would the 20 long, the 10 extra gallons will really help with keeping the water without excess nutrients and keeping algae down.

Plus, up to like 75 gallons, bigger tanks are easier to maintain than smaller ones. There's more of a safety margin.

 

Guys, again, 9 gallons is not that much and I see no difference in parameters and upkeep between my 20 long and 29 despite my 20 having a higher bio load.

 

It's a 35% bigger tank. That's pretty significant especially since the tanks have the same footprint most people would likely decorate the tanks the same, so the extra 9 gallons is most likely 9 more gallons of water.

 

It's a 35% bigger tank. That's pretty significant especially since the tanks have the same footprint most people would likely decorate the tanks the same, so the extra 9 gallons is most likely 9 more gallons of water.

More like 45% bigger. Once you account for substrate (which should be the same for both tanks because they have the same footprint), a 29 gallon could have around 50% more water.

 

More like 45% bigger. Once you account for substrate (which should be the same for both tanks because they have the same footprint), a 29 gallon could have around 50% more water.

Yup, that's what I was saying about the decore being the same in the two tanks.

I would choose a 29G any day over a 20G long for the extra water.

I had a 20 long and I'm pretty sure it only held about 14 gallons of water after all the decorations.

 

That kind of proves how small both are. If you want to make an argument about water volume and less work, you should compare something like a 10 gallon versus a 75 gallon.

Which is still funny, because my 75 gallon with one fish (Jaguar Cichlid grow out tank) will hit 40 ppm nitrates waaay faster than any of my fully stocked smaller tanks. And actually, my 55 gallon African Cichlid tank is also more work.

 

HI there- I just bought a 29 gallon tank at the Petco dollar a gallon sale, and I’m also newer to the hobby and planning a tank similar to yours. I know I’d like cories for sure and. I’m considering a tetra school also and then maybe a “ showpiece” fish or two ( have considered a ram)— also I’m doing a planted tank. I’m going to start a thread on here too to follow my progress ( it will take a long time) and will follow yours to see what you come up with.

 

Thank you everyone for your help!!!

Thank you Nataku for the info about the pandas vs pygmies!! Sounds like I should choose the pandas, thank you!!

I may end up going with the 29 gallon to put a few extra rasbora in there, and have more height for my plants. I have an amazon sword in my 10 gallon that would really like a taller tank ( it didn't look that big in the store!! Rookie mistake!)

Thank you for the brands of lights to look for, I will look into them both!! Do you typically need the light the same length as your tank? In pictures I see lights that seem to be quite a bit shorter than the actual tank.

For a glass lid, can I just have glass (or plexiglass would be safer I guess) custom cut??

Lakoza1 I wish we had a Petco...I am in Canada though and I haven't seen one yet! I am excited you are doing a similar tank!! You will probably have it completed far ahead of me! It will take me a while to get it going since my husband is not completely on board with expanding my new hobby yet, but I am sure he'll come around!! Ha! I am going to check out kijijI for second hand tanks since I am not in a rush . Please tag me on your build so I can see it, and I will make sure to do the same for you!

I mentioned before I was going to do a dirted tank with a sand cap. If I will be growing plants that don't require added CO2, will I need to use dirt? Could I do just sand? If they would benefit from it, I will do it, but I don't want to make things more complicated if they don't need to be!!

Thanks again for everyone's help! I am so glad that I found this forum!!

 

If you go with a 29 gallon and do a dirted tank with an Amazon sword it’s basically there for the life of the tank due to its root system. Once it establishes and roots crawl everywhere and you try to remove it or replant in a different spot you will have a huge mess.
You can use sand but plants that are heavy root feeders like an Amazon Sword will do best with root tabs or if it’s dirted you won’t need them for quite awhile.
It’s also personal preference as to 20 long versus 29. I like the shorter tanks as you can easily reach the bottom. I have a 37 tall and it’s 24” tall and some of my plants require medium to high light so I had to upgrade lights so that it reached the substrate. I personally love my 2 20 longs and 40 breeder over my 37.

 

Thank you LeviS !! The ease of working in the tank is the reason that I was considering the 20 long over the 29. I totally get that it comes down to personal preference, except I have minimal experience...I only have my 5.5gallon and 10gallons.

I guess if I purchase one, don't like working in it, my next one is the other one (I may need to get divorced if I keep adding tanks all over the house though! Ha!)

So, about the dirt, if I use liquid ferts for the water column and root tabs for the amazon sword, could I skip the dirt and just plant directly in the sand? How deep can I make the sand without worrying about gas pockets building up??

Thank you again!!!

 

Like I was always told, pick out and keep in mind what kind of fish you want first and then you figure out what size aquarium would go best with what you want to get. That way you don't have to deal with buying something that's too big for the aquarium you purchased before hand.

 

Thank you LeviS !! The ease of working in the tank is the reason that I was considering the 20 long over the 29. I totally get that it comes down to personal preference, except I don't have minimal experience...I only have my 5.5gallon and 10gallons.

I guess if I purchase one, don't like working in it, my next one is the other one (I may need to get divorced if I keep adding tanks all over the house though! Ha!)

So, about the dirt, if I use liquid ferts for the water column and root tabs for the amazon sword, could I skip the dirt and just plant directly in the sand? How deep can I make the sand without worrying about gas pockets building up??

Thank you again!!!

Ive been meaning to rescape my plated 29, but I haven’t felt like reaching down to my armpit in the water hahahah.

 

Thank you LeviS !! The ease of working in the tank is the reason that I was considering the 20 long over the 29. I totally get that it comes down to personal preference, except I don't have minimal experience...I only have my 5.5gallon and 10gallons.

I guess if I purchase one, don't like working in it, my next one is the other one (I may need to get divorced if I keep adding tanks all over the house though! Ha!)

So, about the dirt, if I use liquid ferts for the water column and root tabs for the amazon sword, could I skip the dirt and just plant directly in the sand? How deep can I make the sand without worrying about gas pockets building up??

Thank you again!!!

Yes you can use just sand and use root tabs,I recommend a coarse sand as it’s kind of like a fine gravel and you can do 1” to 1-1/2”. If your worried about gas pockets add a trumpet snail but be sure to keep eye on population. I added 2 to my 20L w German blue rams and lemon tetras.

 

I would do 29. Less gravel suction work. Hahahhhahaa.

 

Thank you everyone!

Blaze - it makes total sense to pick the fish first then the tank...from what I gather, my potential stocking will be okay in either...panda cories, school of rasboras, likely 2 Bolivian rams...possibly a couple snails (nitrite or ramshorn) as well.

LeviS - thank you!! Would cories be okay with coarse sand? I was going to pick fine sand for them. If I keep the sand at 1.5" deep is that enough to bury a root tab? Would I need a trumpet snail at that depth?

Thanks again!!

 

Coarse sand is still sand, it’s not as fine as sugar and when you mess with it in the tank it falls back down to the bottom just like gravel would. The fine stuff will float in the water column and blow around due to filter flow, the Cory’s will be fine with coarse sand. You won’t need trumpet snails if you keep an eye on things like air pockets when you look at the substrate from the side of tank. You can use something to occasionally poke in the sand when you do a water change, eventually everything will settle and you won’t have to worry about it.

 

Thank you everyone!

Blaze - it makes total sense to pick the fish first then the tank...from what I gather, my potential stocking will be okay in either...panda cories, school of rasboras, likely 2 Bolivian rams...possibly a couple snails (nitrite or ramshorn) as well.

LeviS - thank you!! Would cories be okay with coarse sand? I was going to pick fine sand for them. If I keep the sand at 1.5" deep is that enough to bury a root tab? Would I need a trumpet snail at that depth?

Thanks again!!

Chiming in a little late here, I had a 29 gal with a HUGE Amazon sword in the center---it literally was taller than the tank. It was in a deep sand bed (nearly 4 inches) and had DIY root tabs, and I did have some kind of fancier light but somewhat regretted it as the hair algae started and I didn't have CO2 at the time. I had MTS for the sandbed, but I'm not sure that it made a huge difference, partially because I did what LeviS suggested (poking around during water changes).

I also had cories on some "super naturals" sand (Tahitian moon sand, but pale). They were quite pleased in it and liked snuffling around. I also never had problems with it flying up and getting gummed up in the filter.

 

Thank you LeviS ! I will try poking around in the substrate during water changes!!

Thank you Viriam Karo !! It's good to know about the finer sand not getting into your filter. I actually have 2 bags of the Tahitian moon sand sitting in my Amazon cart at the moment!! Do t know if I will get it, just considering my options

In regards to cories, I know pandas were suggested because they will be at true bottom dweller, vs the pygmies that I had mentioned. What about the salt and pepper cory (C. habrosus)? I watched the species spotlight by Rachel O'Leary (I love her videos!) and she said their activity was more like a cory cat than the other dwarf cories. Does anyone find this to be true?

Thank you once again for everyone's insight!!

 

Guys, again, 9 gallons is not that much and I see no difference in parameters and upkeep between my 20 long and 29 despite my 20 having a higher bio load.

I know it’s only 9 gallons, but it is also nearly 50% more.

 

Thank you Hunter1 !! I have been watching for used tanks and will hopefully be picking up a 29 gallon with stand next week. If I find it's a pain to work in, I will resell it and keep the stand for a 20 long

Does anyone have an opinion on salt and pepper cories (C. Habrosus) vs. Panda cories?? I have read that the salt and peppers will stick to the bottom more than the other Pygmy Cory species. Is this true?? Could I have them instead of the Panda cories??

Thanks again for everyone's help!!

 

I really like the salt and pepper ones. I have them in my 36. Very active although I keep them warmer than recommended at 77.

But the original 7 stocked 11 months ago.

 

I like the look of the salt and pepper ones too, I would like to get them, as long as they won't add to my population that will be swimming mid-water.

Thank you!!

 

Mine hunt through the plants and occasionally go to the top but they are definitely a bottom fish, they feed on the bottom and loaf on the bottom.

They aren’t a reclusive as some other corys that hide all of the time.

 

Thank you Hunter1 !! They sound perfect!!! What other fish do you have with them?

 

In the 36 with the S&P corys I have a pearl gourami, 6 zebra danios, a sailfin molly, a red wag platy, a BN pleco.

In my 29 I have bronze corys, 6 harlequin rasporas, 10 glow light tetras, a pearl gouramis.

 

Hunter1 - they sound like beautiful tanks!! I hope I can have multiple community tanks as well someday! My husband needs a little convincing though!! Ha!

Thank you for all your help!