Planning On A Makeover Soon!

Currently I have a 20 gallon high community tank (I'm thinking of going bigger). For now, I have some fancy guppies, a variety of corydoras, and a clown pleco. They've all coexisted quite peacefully for about 4 years or so. I'm hoping to upgrade and start a planted tank and have more fish from there!

 

If you have the room and the money go to a 75 gallon or bigger. That way it will hold you a couple of years, until the itch to go bigger comes back.

 

Cool! Do you know what size tank you hope to upgrade to?

 

If you have the room and the money go to a 75 gallon or bigger. That way it will hold you a couple of years, until the itch to go bigger comes back.

Oh man that would be amazing and so fun! Unfortunately my current living situation means the limited space I have for a tank must be in my bedroom on the second floor... Basically the absolute MAX is 40 gallons and that makes space pretty tight.

 

A 40 gallon breeder is a great choice. It has a large footprint for cories and plants and enough space for other fish.

 

Cool! Do you know what size tank you hope to upgrade to?

I have some ideas but nothing set and I'm open to suggestions! I just can't go more than 40 gallons. The space my tank lives in is kind of funky and a long narrow tank would suite the spot best.

Currently my tank is a 20 Gallon High (roughly 24x12x16) and I could use a longer tank in that area. The options I've been thinking about so far are (dimensions are rough):
23 Gallon Long (36x12x13)
29 Gallon Breeder (30x12x18)
30 Gallon (36x12x16)
33 Gallon Long (48x12x13)

I'm trying to find something that I can get a lid and lights for (since I want to make it planted) that DOESN'T make me go broke because I'm basically starting from scratch considering I need the new tank, stand, lid/lights, new supplies. I know it's going to be a big project but I've been wanting to do it for years!

 

+1 for the 40 breeder. Its great for plants and is a nice size tank in general. Definitly not overwhelming. The bigger the tank, the more expensive things get.

 

Oh man that would be amazing and so fun! Unfortunately my current living situation means the limited space I have for a tank must be in my bedroom on the second floor... Basically the absolute MAX is 40 gallons and that makes space pretty tight.

I understand that completely, When I got back into keeping fish I went from a 55 to a 100, and now I'm working on setting up a 180 gallon tank.

 

A 40 gallon breeder is a great choice. It has a large footprint for cories and plants and enough space for other fish.

Thank you! The only downside is that the spot I want to put it is kind of weird and all of the 40 gallon breeders I've seen have been 36x18x16 and 18" width is a little too big for that spot. I've also heard it's really hard to find a proper fitting lid for them!

 

I have some ideas but nothing set and I'm open to suggestions! I just can't go more than 40 gallons. The space my tank lives in is kind of funky and a long narrow tank would suite the spot best.

Currently my tank is a 20 Gallon High (roughly 24x12x16) and I could use a longer tank in that area. The options I've been thinking about so far are (dimensions are rough):
23 Gallon Long (36x12x13)
29 Gallon Breeder (30x12x18)
30 Gallon (36x12x16)
33 Gallon Long (48x12x13)

I'm trying to find something that I can get a lid and lights for (since I want to make it planted) that DOESN'T make me go broke because I'm basically starting from scratch considering I need the new tank, stand, lid/lights, new supplies. I know it's going to be a big project but I've been wanting to do it for years!

I see ya.
So you can't go wider than 12 in?
If so, I like the dimensions of the 29g, they seem more proportionate.

 

The 55 gallon is also a 48x12 footprint.

 

I understand that completely, When I got back into keeping fish I went from a 55 to a 100, and now I'm working on setting up a 180 gallon tank.

180 gallon tank! That's amazing! I bet it's going to be beautiful!

 

I see ya.
So you can't go wider than 12 in?
If so, I like the dimensions of the 29g, they seem more proportionate.

Yeah pretty much. It's a weird spot. A 12" width is pretty much as deep as it can go or else things get a little too tight. Thank you for the input! It really helps me narrow things down and I welcome any and all advice

 

Thank you! The only downside is that the spot I want to put it is kind of weird and all of the 40 gallon breeders I've seen have been 36x18x16 and 18" width is a little too big for that spot. I've also heard it's really hard to find a proper fitting lid for them!

Gotcha. A 55 gallon is 48" x 12" x 21", same footprint as the 33g long.

Petco just had their dollar-per-gallon sale. 10-29g tanks are DPG and 40b and 55 gallon are 50% off ($50 and $65). They usually have the sale 3-5 times per year. They also stock 40 gallon breeder tops for less than most online places.

Dr Foster & Smith has great prices on tops with free shipping over $19. They're owned by PetCo so PetCo will price match in their stores. Just make sure you get the same brand of tank and top as they're all slightly different actual physical measurements. I stuck with Aqueon tanks and Aqueon VersaTops.

 

180 gallon tank! That's amazing! I bet it's going to be beautiful!

It's still being built up, at the time.

 

Yeah pretty much. It's a weird spot. A 12" width is pretty much as deep as it can go or else things get a little too tight. Thank you for the input! It really helps me narrow things down and I welcome any and all advice

Keep in mind that you'll need at least a few inches for hoses, wires and HOB if you use one.

 

I have some ideas but nothing set and I'm open to suggestions! I just can't go more than 40 gallons. The space my tank lives in is kind of funky and a long narrow tank would suite the spot best.

Currently my tank is a 20 Gallon High (roughly 24x12x16) and I could use a longer tank in that area. The options I've been thinking about so far are (dimensions are rough):
23 Gallon Long (36x12x13)
29 Gallon Breeder (30x12x18)
30 Gallon (36x12x16)
33 Gallon Long (48x12x13)

I'm trying to find something that I can get a lid and lights for (since I want to make it planted) that DOESN'T make me go broke because I'm basically starting from scratch considering I need the new tank, stand, lid/lights, new supplies. I know it's going to be a big project but I've been wanting to do it for years!

I’ve never actually seen those tanks in person, other than the regular 29 gal. You might have to get it custom made? I would say just get the biggest size you can fit. You can even make a DIY lid if you don’t find one that fits your tank’s dimensions.

You don’t necessarily have to go broke to build a planted tank. There are several ways to save on the entire cost.

 

Gotcha. A 55 gallon is 48" x 12" x 21", same footprint as the 33g long.

Petco just had their dollar-per-gallon sale. 10-29g tanks are DPG and 40b and 55 gallon are 50% off ($50 and $65). They usually have the sale 3-5 times per year. They also stock 40 gallon breeder tops for less than most online places.

Dr Foster & Smith has great prices on tops with free shipping over $19. They're owned by PetCo so PetCo will price match in their stores. Just make sure you get the same brand of tank and top as they're all slightly different actual physical measurements. I stuck with Aqueon tanks and Aqueon VersaTops.

I've HEARD about that sale but I never know when it's going on! I guess my local PetCo doesn't advertise it too much. Thank you for all the help!

 

Keep in mind that you'll need at least a few inches for hoses, wires and HOB if you use one.

Yes! That's the reason I'm limited to the 12" width...

 

I’ve never actually seen those tanks in person, other than the regular 29 gal. You might have to get it custom made? I would say just get the biggest size you can fit. You can even make a DIY lid if you don’t find one that fits your tank’s dimensions.

You don’t necessarily have to go broke to build a planted tank. There are several ways to save on the entire cost.

Oh man I can't even imagine what the process is like to get a custom built tank. I hope I don't need to do that! Thank you for the input!

 

I just make a thread with a lot more details of what I'd like to do for my new tank as well as a poll on what size tank I should get. I'd love and value all of your opinions on it! I could really use the help. Thank you!

 

Hello..... I applaud you for seeking to upgrade. I am new to this hobby. I encourage you to explore OfferUp.

I purchased my new to me 35 gal bow front from a seller there. Patience and a good eye..... You would be amazed at what you find and how much you can save.

Have a great day!