40 Gallon Tank Kitchen Fish: Thought and Opinions Please

Just want others’ thoughts on tanks in the kitchen. Due to ongoing renovations the location in the house that makes the most sense to setup the 40 gallon is the kitchen right now, not the least being proximity to water source.

It would be out of the direct flow of traffic I guess you could say, but would potentially receive a lot of direct/indirect sunlight (south and west facing windows). So I realize that there could be algae issues unless I take steps to mitigate it.

The tank would be home to a comet and shubunkin both 5-6 inches body length. It’s their overdue upgrade. They are quite social but I am concerned about how they will take to life in the kitchen vs bedroom.

Just want to get an idea of whether or not the kitchen would be suitable or if I should scrap that altogether.

My other option is to set it up in the bedroom, the room fish already live in. Con: furthest from water source and bumps this room to last of renovation. Will make MTS far more obvious if 10, 20 and 40 gallon live in same room. (Granted 10 gallon is SUPPOSED to be decommissioned after upgrades…) Pro: north facing, no direct sunlight and quiet.

Reading back through this I realize this might be a cry for help on the slippery slope of more tanks: but genuinely is the kitchen a good place for a fish tank or not?

 

Lots of people have them in kitchens, especially on countertops. Usually smaller ones from what i have seen. I say put it wherever you can for the moment. While a pain to move, no spot has to be permanent!

 

You could always cover the back and sides to keep some of that extra light from adding algae to your tank if it's in the kitchen. Giving fish lots of cover would help too if the fish are not thrilled about the traffic of people walking around. But as mentioned lots of people have tanks in the kitchen. My sister has one in the dining room with a betta, snails, shrimp, and ember tetra in it. The Tetra are shy with the traffic but there's a large sword plant and lots of other plants in there that they can easily hide behind when they want.

 

Goldfish i have noticed tend to be pretty sociable so they probably won't mind extra traffic. More people to look at and beg for food from!

 

You could always cover the back and sides to keep some of that extra light from adding algae to your tank if it's in the kitchen. Giving fish lots of cover would help too if the fish are not thrilled about the traffic of people walking around. But as mentioned lots of people have tanks in the kitchen. My sister has one in the dining room with a betta, snails, shrimp, and ember tetra in it. The Tetra are shy with the traffic but there's a large sword plant and lots of other plants in there that they can easily hide behind when they want.

I did buy some black plast-dip spray to do the back panel. Hoping one can will be enough for 3 sides. It will make it like fish tv and deter excess algae. I do have some pothos just as a plant so could add some of that as well. I will probably do a cover for the front since we do leave light on overnight in kitchen.

 

Mine are all in the Dining room that is pretty much one room with the kitchen.

 

Lots of people have them in kitchens, especially on countertops. Usually smaller ones from what i have seen. I say put it wherever you can for the moment. While a pain to move, no spot has to be permanent!

I do have a metal stand for it. I figure if I do set it up in the kitchen it will be there for at least a year. Just wasn’t sure if kitchen was suitable and figured it doesn’t hurt to ask. Glad to hear it’s fairly common!

 

I used to have my goldfish tank in the kitchen. Never had any issues.

 

I have a large kitchen. And I have four tanks in it. The largest is a 75.
It’s only two of us though so not much traffic. But I spend a lot of time there so I love watching my tanks.

 

I have a large kitchen. And I have four tanks in it. The largest is a 75.
It’s only two of us though so not much traffic. But I spend a lot of time there so I love watching my tanks.

And horses! Lol. I’m in Maryland too - it’s a big world so happy to see someone in the area. So the tank photos from the other day is the 75? Lovely!

 

I am always in the Dining room. Its my office... Thats why all of my tanks are in here so I can see them. My 9g is right next to my face...Thinking of moving the 5g to the buffet too. (Yes we have a buffet we need to remodel or move too.....lol)

 

I think the other thing that I’m struggling with is a bit of buyer’s remorse on the tank itself. It’s an Aqueon 40 g breeder. If the tank were to fail/leak the kitchen is currently a much better place to have that happen versus a bedroom. I got it the end of September. Had it literally less than 24hrs when we found out about death of best friend’s brother. A week later a new to us 90 lb dog friend. And so forth. So my plans got put on hold as well as return window.
Gotta have faith I suppose that the tank will do what it’s intended to do without issue.

 

And horses! Lol. I’m in Maryland too - it’s a big world so happy to see someone in the area. So the tank photos from the other day is the 75? Lovely!

That is my second 75 that I’m setting up (but in the Great Room-not the kitchen) Yep, the horses are my first full time hobby lol!

 

my 38 long is in the kitchen and no issues past 2.5 years. It's against the 1 long wall I have in kitchen that opens up into great room. I have the kitchen table next to it because I had a Rottweiler, they can bump into things.

Living in the south and the kitchen patio door is southern exposure, I have the glass mostly lined with UV protection. It's not fully covered (on purpose) and leaves 2 inches not protected as I have some plants near that patio door & they need light.

The back of my house lights up like super bright, so the UV liner helps prevent all that heat coming inside during summer months.

One of my 20 longs is in my bedroom - Sparkling Gouramis and cory cats, plus a 10 gallon with my blue velvet shrimp are in there. I do use master bath for water changes some times, depending on my mood.

When I redo my bedroom floor, I'm moving those tanks out into great room -possibly in next few months, we'll see.

Good luck on your reno!

 

I think it really depends. We eat lots of tofu and there tends to be scalding oil flying everywhere. Not sure I would enjoy cleaning the glass so often. The countertops are also marble that will crack of you sneeze on it.