Favorite Size Tank

I'm wondering what experienced aquarists opinion are on tank sizes/dimentions. We all have the experience to have an informed preference or hindsight of what we would have done differently.

SO... What size tank(s) are your favorite and most importantly why? pros and cons. (or what's your least favorite size and why)

 

Well, if space is tight I like 20 longs or 29s. There’s a lot of options you can do and it doesn’t take up to to much space.

If space isn’t a problem and funds are not an issue either... I’d want a BIG tank. Not certain how big, but several hundred gallons, perhaps a 1,000. I’d love to have a red bellied pacu and they require big tanks.

 

All I can say is I've had or have the following:

.7
5.5
10
29.

I LOVE my 29. Just enough to feel like you have a lot of space to do stuff.

 

I have a 10, 37, 55 and 60. my 37 is my favorite right now - it's pretty big but doesn't take up a huge spot in my house like the 55 and 60 do.

 

90g+...Depth becomes a factor on what you want later on.

 

Long tanks for the win. 20 gallon long for example can have a lot of options, or the 40 gallon breeder. 30 gallon breeder (same footprint as a 55g, but shorter from what I've heard) is another great option if you can find it.

 

Love my 150 tall, though I wish I had gotten the 150 long.

The room to aquascape is great.

 

20g long or 29 gallon is a great starter aquarium. 40 gallon breeder and 75 gallon have great dimensions. I like the height of the 37g. I saw the 125g tall for the first time. I actually like it more than the 125g long.

 

For me I think the 75 is perfect. Not to big nor is it so deep I can't reach the bottom.

 

I currently have a 55 and wish I would have gone with 75 for more depth. I'm starting to realize why others say 55's are hard to scape. 75 gallon would be perfect for anyone who doesn't want too spend too much money or take up too much space.

 

My 120 gallon is great, mostly due to the massive depth. More than enough room for a sweet setup. It's actually tough to fill it out coming from a 29g. That being said I think long tanks (5ft+) are stunning as well, and the 2ft height on the 120 gallon can be awkward.

 

I LOVE my 125!!!

 

I like talls.
I love to watch the bubbles rise. It's very relaxing!

My favourite is my 20 gallon tall. I can carry it on my own, if need be.
And water changes are a breeze.
Mollies and Bumblebee Goby fit just right.
A busy, fun tank!

My 35g long is great for aquascaping and the movement of schooling fish.
Two angels, corys, guppies, and a school of cardinals.
Looks eye catching!

My 90g tall and wide I could sleep in
A community tank with loads of room.
2' high means you get wet to the armpit if you need to reach the bottom.
The fish really like the space to roam about!

3 x 5 gallon hospital tanks, arranged sideways, together- very handy.
Plus great for growing plants and baby fish!

I have on order a 180g for Frontosa. (6' x 2' x 2') Currently they are in their original, temporary 35g cube.
If I am honest, the thought of the maintenance of a 180g scares me a bit, and I am starting to rethink the plan (considering I am single and 60).
I think you have to plan ahead.
They will probably outlive me!

So, what I am saying is,
Think what you want from keeping fish.
I was very happy with my 20 gallon tall + 2 Betta units for several years.
And that is where I will return eventually.
I will always keep fish!

 

I like 10-15 gallons. I love my 15 gallon fluval flex betta tank. Most of my quarintine tanks are 10 or 15 gallons. They are big enough to house a range of nano fish and even a community but small enough that water changes are easy peasy. It is also easier to make them apear heavily planted than larger tanks. I hate doing water changes on my 63 gallon since it takes so long and it is hard to find decor to fill the space.

 

I like shorter tanks. There easier to scape out, and they make the plants look taller. 20 long and 40 breeder is a nice size.

 

bow fronts are my favorite. They have a dramatic statement in any room.

 

For me I think the 75 is perfect. Not to big nor is it so deep I can't reach the bottom.

I currently have a 55 and wish I would have gone with 75 for more depth. I'm starting to realize why others say 55's are hard to scape. 75 gallon would be perfect for anyone who doesn't want too spend too much money or take up too much space.

I also wish I went with a 75, its the largest tank that is not over 21" tall. IMO 48" x 18" x 18" is for more preferable/manageable, but ive never seen a tank that size, .

I wouldnt get a smaller tank ever again, but if I were starting out, I think 33Long is a great size (they actually only hold 29 gallons). It looks huge, same foot print as a 55 so canopy,lights,stand are easy to find. At 4 feet long you can keep "most" tropical fish. Its light enough for 1 person to lift empty, also light enough that you don't have to worry about setting it up at the upper floors of an old house. Volume is low enough that the water changes are 2 trips to the bathroom with a standard 3.5gal bucket and a $5 syphon. If I'm burying plant roots, I need a step stool and stick my arm in upto my shoulder on a 18" tall tank. I have to take water out for a 21" tank. But on a 12" tank like the 33long tank its a 5 second task.

40Long would be my 2nd choice for the same reasons. 20years ago every LFS around me stocked 40Longs, Now they all sell 40breeders and 55s.

My 35g long is great for aquascaping and the movement of schooling fish.

Ive never seen/heard of a 35Long, what are the dimensions (or is it just a renamed 33Long)?

 

I get my tanks to suit the fish I want to keep. I want a BGK and am working on getting a tank that's 8 feet long by 2 1/2 feet wide and 2 1/2 feet tall.

 

20 Long is my favorite, though a 20 tall is also nice for taller plants + looks larger than it is.
But I like nano fish, and it's just easier to stock smaller tanks with smaller fish.

 

I just got a 75 short and I have no complaints!

 

Ive never seen/heard of a 35Long, what are the dimensions (or is it just a renamed 33Long)?

I am from Australia. Perhaps we do things differently...
That tank is 92cm x43cm x 36cm. It's an Aqua One design. (Might be closer to 37.5g)

 

Ive never seen/heard of a 35Long

Could be a Custom build.

That's what I will do when I get the 8 footer

 

I currently have a 5, 20tall, 37, and 55.
I'm not tall and find my 37 very hard to clean and plant plants. It is, by far, my least favorite tank. Currently looking to upgrade it.
I love love love my 20 and 55. My 20 was my first tank, that has been remodeled recently, and in my bedroom. I think it's a good size for starters or smaller rooms, and quite a few stocking options! Whether you want a bunch of nano fish or maybe a couple larger fish.
My 55 I got from my mom, wish it was a 75 as I've gotten a bit more into scaping. I can sit and watch the fish swim around for hours in the larger space. Which I'm constantly debating on smaller fish and having a couple larger fish. Both are so satisfying to me, for different reasons.

 

Just got a 75 long and I'm extremely excited to get it running! Used to have a 10 and a 30. Originally wanted a 125-150 but I'm not able to spend that much and my brother gave me the 75 in trade for my 10 and 30. A win-win!

The 10 was great for micro tanks or smaller single species, but I personally found it hard to keep the parameters steady during water changes. The 30 was perfect for starting out with something more substantial with lots of possibility yet still practical. Can't really say it had any downsides, if you don't want to keep many different schools of large 4+ inch fish.

The 75 I've got to say is easily going to be my favorite. As long as you're experienced in the aquarium hobby, you can overstock it and get (depending on the species) enough fish to comfortably stock a 100 gallon, but within a smaller footprint. I'm setting up my new 75 as a partial divider between the combination living and dining room. I like seeing through it and viewing my fish from anywhere I stand.

[QUOTE="Bry, post: 3963755, member: 94238" I think it's a good size for starters or smaller rooms, and quite a few stocking options! Whether you want a bunch of nano fish or maybe a couple larger fish.
I'm constantly debating on smaller fish and having a couple larger fish. Both are so satisfying to me, for different reasons.[/QUOTE]
I completely agree with you! Anything around 20 or 30 is the perfect starter, you just do 2-3 trips with a bucket and siphon and your water change is done, and the bigger size helps to keep parameters steady. I'm short so the 30 long wasn't too tall for me...going to need a stepping stool for the 75, feel it coming. LOL But my dojo loaches will love the extra room. They've hit the 5 inch mark and growth rate's slowed down some, but now that I have it, I think 75 should be the standard for a small school of the bigger loaches. The 30 was fine when they're just babies, but with this tank, they can swim hard and not bump the sides.

 

The problem I'm having with my 20 gallon Long is that visually it's too short. I think I would prefer a taller veiwing space. Threads like this are helpful, because sometimes we don't know what we like until we try it out - but experience is expensive!
I agree that we should get the tank that fits our fish - I really like how mystery snails fly off the top of ornaments. I have a 15 gallon column on my wish list for these big guys!

 

The problem I'm having with my 20 gallon Long is that visually it's too short. I think I would prefer a taller veiwing space. Threads like this are helpful, because sometimes we don't know what we like until we try it out - but experience is expensive!
I agree that we should get the tank that fits our fish - I really like how mystery snails fly off the top of ornaments. I have a 15 gallon column on my wish list for these big guys!

Then maybe try a vertical plant, it could help draw the eye upwards from your substrate to the surface, and tiny fish create an illusion of your aquarium being bigger than it really is.

 

going to need a stepping stool for the 75, feel it coming. LOL.

Haha, I have the same problem with my 80g. If I stand on my toes I can juuust reach the bottom of the front glass so that I can clean it, but otherwise I need the stepping stool. I also use my plant tweezers a lot, for instance when feeding veggies to my bristlenose and snails, or if I see a leaf fell off a plant and needs removing etc. Then I can do it without the stool.

 

I also use my plant tweezers a lot, for instance when feeding veggies to my bristlenose and snails, or if I see a leaf fell off a plant and needs removing etc. Then I can do it without the stool.

Tweezers! Of course! How the heck did I not think of that?! (face palm) Thanks for the tip.

 

Then maybe try a vertical plant, it could help draw the eye upwards from your substrate to the surface, and tiny fish create an illusion of your aquarium being bigger than it really is.

I have some Vallisenara (sp) which I am waiting to recover from shipping and grow in. I think you're right that that will help give it visual height - or a taller stand.

 

Ywhen you're a broke high schooler, a 10 gallon is your favorite. It's heap small and easy to fill with live plants from. Other tanks. However, I really like my 20 tall that I got for Christmas. The rest of the plants (for now lol) are coming today, and I can't wait for my heterandria Formosa to fill up the jungle. However they currently have ich, so they're staying in their 10 gallon for a bit.

 

55 is my favorite so far. Have a 10 and had a 120. The 120 was to much trouble to maintain.

 

I have three 20 longs and love them. They’re my favorite size. Next size is 40 breeder.

 

I have a 55 gallon and hate it because of the width, it is incredibly narrow.
75 gallons have luxurious amounts of width, as well as 40 breeders.
We have a 90 not in use, 55 gallon, 40 breeder, 30 gallon, three 20 longs, three ten gallons, a five gallon, and three two gallons.

 

I have a 5, 10, n 20. I love all my tanks, but for some reason have had the best outcome and luck with my ten gal. Of course the bigger the tank the more options you have for space to play. Some like the challenge of smaller tanks. There are so many options out there. You just have to choose what will work for you with the space you have and how much you want to invest. Good luck!!!

 

I like the 20 talls we have. Also like my 5s and 10s for the bettas. Wouldn't mind a 75 gallon or more, jist know that I will never do a hex again.

 

I only have a standard 10 gallon, 5.5 gallon, and tall 5 gallon, but the 10 gallon is my favourite. it can appear either big or small and there's enough room to work with when it comes to planting and scaping, but not too much room that it'll break the bank trying to fill up space. plus water changes are easy and don't go as crazyfast as the 5gs.

I like the tall 5 gallon because it looks good on my desk but it is a pain to work with. I tend to favour long, shallow tanks over tall or clunky tanks. I also love cube tanks, big or small.

 

55 is my favorite so far. Have a 10 and had a 120. The 120 was to much trouble to maintain.

Did you find that the 120 was more than double the work of a 55?

 

Did you find that the 120 was more than double the work of a 55?

Would make sense since it's more than double the size. Lol

 

Would make sense since it's more than double the size. Lol

Not true, for me upto 40gal water change is faster with a bucket and make 1 or 2 trips (at most 15min).

Over 40 gallon tanks, I use a pump to syphon directly into the laundry room drain, same pump to get new warm dechloriated water from a 55gal barrel in the laundry room back upstairs, using that method it takes me 25min to setup and change 20gal of water, maybe 5 min longer to change double that

 

I don't know the 20 gallon in my daughters room (use buckets) is more work then the 75 (hose) so I guess its all just how you look at it and the different way you do it.