Opinions on hexagon tanks?

I've been looking at hexagon tanks a little, specifically the Aqueon 20 gallon hex. The dimensions are 18.8x16.3x20.7 inches.
I know I would be limited on what I could keep in here because there's not a lot of foot space. I was wondering if I could put something like balloon belly Molly's or guppies in it? Is there anything else I could put in there besides a Betta (I already have 4 of those)? Are there any fish that prefer vertical space over horizontal space?

 

You could do a powder blue or flame gourami and some ottos, once the tank matured. Shrimp would do well. Mystery snails get around. Freshwater gobies might be an option.

Guppies are good. Tetras are an option. I'd avoid baloon bellies because they're a purpose bred deformity. But that's just me.

 

I hear angelfish prefer vertical tanks, but I'm not sure if there are varieties that could live happily in a 20g...

 

I hear angelfish prefer vertical tanks, but I'm not sure if there are varieties that could live happily in a 20g...

I'm afraid a 20 hex would be much too small.. I usually hear 29 as an absolute minimum.

 

Hello Meg...

Whatever small fish you choose, you'll need to change out at least half the water a couple of times a week, to keep the fish healthy. Some small Tetras or Guppies are a possibility. Not Mollies, they're not very hardy and are extremely particular about the water conditions.

Old

 

If you want to go with livebearers, you could have two female platies and a male over the mollies, as long as you have a plan for what to do with the fry. You could also go with a tank of all-male guppies.

 

If you want to go with livebearers, you could have two female platies and a male over the mollies, as long as you have a plan for what to do with the fry. You could also go with a tank of all-male guppies.

If I did live bearers I would do all one gender. I'm leaning towards male guppies now.

 

I really don't like hex tanks because they're so hard to stock. I think you could stock this tank as if it's a 10 gal.

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/stocking-list-for-10-gallons.207629/

 

I agree with TD, I don't really like hex tanks either. They don't really look that great (imo) as they make it kind of hard to view the fish as easily, and they don't have as big of a footprint.

 

Anders247, yeah after hearing that repeatedly I decided that I'll either do an open top 40B or one of those plastic containers.

 

Good choice!
An interesting idea with open-topped tanks that I've heard about is to not fill it all the way to the surface, and then stock it with hatchetfish so that when they jump, it will be fun to watch rather than having them jump out of the tank.

 

Good choice!
An interesting idea with open-topped tanks that I've heard about is to not fill it all the way to the surface, and then stock it with hatchetfish so that when they jump, it will be fun to watch rather than having them jump out of the tank.

That's a cool idea! I'm definitely not planning to fill either all the way. The last thing I need is fish all over the floor. I figure with a 40 I'll do black sand and a few live plants, and I'd do bare bottom with a tub.

 

I'm afraid a 20 hex would be much too small.. I usually hear 29 as an absolute minimum.

I had a 20 gal acrylic hex tank long ago in college that was left to me by a friend and it had a red tail shark, common pleco, 2 angels and some assorted barbs and tetras. Filtration was airlift UGF with an AquaClear 200 HOB. I did nothing more than weekly vacuum/water changes and feed flake food twice daily and that was the easiest tank to care for I've ever had. The angels were magnificent and everyone got along very well.

Fast forward 25 years and I've ended up (again) "inheriting" a 20 gal. hex (the Aqueon LED setup). This time it came with a Firemouth cichlid and I've since added a bristlenose pleco and half a dozen various tiger barbs. The cichlid, Herbert, has his cave house to hang out in while the barbs have their playground quarrels above. It's truly a cartoon comedy of the Bulldog and the pack of Chihuahuas. The pleco, Hoover, goes about his business and occasionally is chased away by Herbert but nothing aggressive.

As much as I like the tank, there is no doubt a hex is very limiting with stocking possibilities. But, with fish that hang out at different heights, it can work very well. I think that Herbert is getting a little too big for the tank, though, and will eventually have to take him to my LFS and bring home some more suitable fish, like a fleet of Corys to dig in the sand.

Chris

 

I had a 20 gal acrylic hex tank long ago in college that was left to me by a friend and it had a red tail shark, common pleco, 2 angels and some assorted barbs and tetras. Filtration was airlift UGF with an AquaClear 200 HOB. I did nothing more than weekly vacuum/water changes and feed flake food twice daily and that was the easiest tank to care for I've ever had. The angels were magnificent and everyone got along very well.

Fast forward 25 years and I've ended up (again) "inheriting" a 20 gal. hex (the Aqueon LED setup). This time it came with a Firemouth cichlid and I've since added a bristlenose pleco and half a dozen various tiger barbs. The cichlid, Herbert, has his cave house to hang out in while the barbs have their playground quarrels above. It's truly a cartoon comedy of the Bulldog and the pack of Chihuahuas. The pleco, Hoover, goes about his business and occasionally is chased away by Herbert but nothing aggressive.

As much as I like the tank, there is no doubt a hex is very limiting with stocking possibilities. But, with fish that hang out at different heights, it can work very well. I think that Herbert is getting a little too big for the tank, though, and will eventually have to take him to my LFS and bring home some more suitable fish, like a fleet of Corys to dig in the sand.

Chris

Hi, welcome to the forum!
Sorry to tell you, but, red tail sharks, common plecos, and angelfish get way too big for a 20 hex. A firemouth and BN pleco would also be too big.
Depending on the barbs and tetras you had, they might have needed more space as well.

 

Hello Meg...

Whatever small fish you choose, you'll need to change out at least half the water a couple of times a week, to keep the fish healthy. Some small Tetras or Guppies are a possibility. Not Mollies, they're not very hardy and are extremely particular about the water conditions.

Old

Why would she have to change at least half the water a couple times a week with whatever fish she chooses??? It's still 20 gallons of water, what decides her water changing schedule is the fish she chooses to stock. For example, a betta alone would mean like 5-10 gallon changes every other week, but 5 guppies & 5 platies would mean at least 10 gallon every week, if not more.

 

Hi, welcome to the forum!
Sorry to tell you, but, red tail sharks, common plecos, and angelfish get way too big for a 20 hex. A firemouth and BN pleco would also be too big.
Depending on the barbs and tetras you had, they might have needed more space as well.

Very true. That was a long time ago and was pushing the 1"/1 gal. rule pretty hard. But the fish were healthy and peaceful, so I wasn't concerned. That said, by the time the angels and the pleco started getting too big, I graduated and gave all the fish to the local shop prior to moving.

Right now, the BN pleco is very small. The firemouth is definitely getting too big and if he grows much more, he'll get that trip to the LFS so he can hang with the "big dogs".

The crime of the situation is that before I took this tank into my care, it was stocked with the firemouth, an oscar, a red devil, and a common pleco...and I think something else even! The place she was getting her fish had no clue (and didn't ask) how big of a tank they were going into. Needless to say, it didn't turn out well and only the firemouth survived.

Chris