Tank Swap - switching to a 46 bow front

Currently I have a 56 gallon tall aquarium and honestly it's just not doing anything for me. I'm very attracted to the talk aquariums but I feel my fish suffer.

I'm debating switching to a 46 bow front, because I've always loved bow front aquariums and the shape seems more fish friendly.

It's a downgrade in gallons but I gain surface area, is it worth it? Also, this is a previously used aquarium and I'd be transferring as much water as possible from one to the other, using the same filter as well, does this cut out my cycle time?

Thanks!!

 

Transferring the water really won't do much with having to cycle the system, 95% of the BB is in the filter media. So as far as that goes yes the tank would be cycled with the current stock you have. Depending on the last time you did a water change the main thing you would get by moving the water over is the parameters really would be the same for the fish.

 

Okay, what about benefits of a different shape of aquarium?

 

If the 46 gallon is longer and wider then the tall aquarium it has a potential to hold more stock due to more surface area of the water to exchange O2 and CO2. Keeping plants would be easier since it would not be as tall, the lighting would have a better chance of penetration to the bottom. Plus with a larger foot print you can stock different species that require more swimming room.

 

What fish do you have in there? They may be fine in the 30" tank, depending.

And, what about a 65 tall? That would give you a 3' tank, with almost 10 additional gallons, and the tall shape you like. I would love to get one of those myself...

The surface area is nearly identical between the two tanks you're talking about. The 46 is 6" longer, but the 56 is deeper front-to-back, especially on the ends.

 

My current stock is
Bandit cichlid
EB acara
Brissle nose pleco
8 purple danios

I don't want to go much larger (heavier) because I'm in a second floor apartment and I have enough nightmares with this size of tank already!

If I switched tanks id want to either get a male EB acara or trade the cichlids for a pair of angles. Right now my cichlids seem in active and my school generally sits in one area they don't even swim much

 

Something I said?

 

With those cichlids, I would go for a longer tank if you can. Honestly, according to cichlid forums/experts, it seems bandit cichlids (I'm assuming you mean guianacara?) are best in groups. So you might want to consider trading out that bandit for a second EBA (just don't keep two males in a tank that size).

And your school might be more active if it was larger... what kind of decor do you have in the tank?

 

Update:
46 gallon sold but I'm still looking into 55 long tanks.

I would love to make my cichlids more happy, so maybe I shall look into the group of bandits? I'm guess 3-5 is a group with only one male? Meaning I'd rehome the EB. It's a long shot but do you know if bandits get along with angles?

You very well could be right on my school as well. I can look into increasing their numbers I just might wait until I swap tanks

My tank has a mix of rock and fake plants I'll try and attach a picture

 

Rather than possibly steering you wrong, let me page chromedome52 who was so helpful for me when I was getting started with guianacaras!

Edit: BUT hmm... that looks like it might be a keyhole, not a guianacara... can you get a better pic? If so, they still do like groups, but they stay smaller and are quite peaceful, you shouldn't have an issue with them

 

There used to be a key hole in the tank, here is my bandit though

 

Beautiful!! I have a small group of them in my tank and just love them. I think you'd really enjoy a group, they have such entertaining interactions

 

Thanks for the advice! If I re-home the EB what size group/male female mix would you recommend for a 55

 

Guianacara are not particularly aggressive, but they do get a bit larger than most people realize. I would consider starting out with 5-6 in a 55, with consideration of reducing the numbers when they grow and mature. Either that, or getting a larger tank. I've not kept them with Angels, but I doubt that they would be aggressive toward them. The two species utilize different strata, and are unlikely to interact very much, especially in a deeper tank.

 

Oh this is excellent news! I've always preferred my bandit over my EB, does it matter the male to female ratio in the group?

 

At sizes under 3-4 inches, you're not going to be able to sex them anyway. But long term, I don't think it matters that much, either.

 

Would the guianaraca shoal be ok with the EBA? They're both reputably pretty mellow cichlids, and EBA's tend to go all over the tank vs guianacaras which stay mostly at the bottom... (asking for both myself and the OP!)

 

As mature adults, the EBA is going to be more aggressive, and it will stay near the substrate. I would hesitate to keep them together, though in a large enough tank, both species can establish territories.

 

How big is big enough...?

 

Maybe a 6 foot tank (125 or so).

 

I keep hearing that the electric blues are more mellow than their full-size blue acara brethren. Maybe it depends on the individual cichlid...