tank size

PictusRcoOl · Post by **PictusRcoOl** » 04 Aug 2003, 22:21

im not sure to get a 36 gallon bowfront aquarium or a 38 gallon rectangular aquarium. wouldnt they have more room to swim in the 38 gallon?? My fish are...
- 6 Pimpictus
- 5 tiger barbs
- 10 cardinal tetras
- 4 ulreys' tetra
- 4 diamond tetra
- 4 penguin tetra
- 4 hatchet fish
- 4 clown loach
- 4 leopard cory
**These are fish i have on my fish list... but you get the main idea of my stock.. help thnx

Post by **Barbie** » 05 Aug 2003, 17:12

That list contains 45 fish, none of which are going to stay less than an inch long, and most will be over 2. The inch per gallon rule irks me for many reasons, and truly doesn't provide enough water for body mass of most fish, but even following that, you'd need at least a 75 gallon tank to keep those fish healthy and happy, long term. The clown loaches grow slowly, but will eventually get quite large. I had two that were over 8 inches that I kept with my motoro rays. A larger tank might reduce some of the fin nipping you're surely going to see from the tiger barbs, also.

The 38 gallon will give them 6 inches more swimming room end to end, but the actual floor space afforded for them would probably be very similar. Hope that helps.

Barbie

dreadlockedjuggler · Post by **dreadlockedjuggler** » 05 Aug 2003, 18:46

Ive been told by a couple of people who have had bowfronted tanks that they have suffered bad headaches and felt a bit

after watching their fish for long periods. They thought it was due to the bow acting as some sort of lens. Has anyone else heard this or are my mates just drinking to much.

PictusRcoOl · Post by **PictusRcoOl** » 05 Aug 2003, 23:08

hey- thnx that really does help.... i was wonderin the same question on the bowfront if it would make my head feel like a blender... i think the rectangular would be better even though floor space is almost identicle

PictusRcoOl · Post by **PictusRcoOl** » 05 Aug 2003, 23:11

thnx barbie-- that was just a wish list kinda thing and i know definatly relized about the inch/gallon rule. im now thinkin on a shoal of pictus and tbarbs w/some other same sized fish but not nearly as much fish than i had posted before. ithink with my pictus and tbarbs maybe one other species and that would be a fine stocked tank... rite??

STINGRAY · Post by **STINGRAY** » 07 Aug 2003, 22:54

Hi. Bow fronted tanks do sometimes make fish look weird, more so when they are near the back of the tank. Your stock list as several pitfalls, most notably the pims will eat most of the tetras in a short space of time. As for overstocking, if done in moderation with frequent water changes and good filtration I see no problems.

PictusRcoOl · Post by **PictusRcoOl** » 08 Aug 2003, 00:21

ok.. that sounds good... and about a different tank seperate from catfish... i have heard from many people that bala sharks and tinfoils (mostly balas) are good by themselves (not as good as in groups but i can oly do so much).. and would a 55 gallon 4ft long tank be good for one of each and some pictus?? im hearing yes no maybe, and im trying to get a best result... as for them being in groups i cant spend that much money rite now for a tank of that size

Post by **Silurus** » 08 Aug 2003, 00:28

Not bala sharks and tinfoil barbs, since they grow in excess of 14" and need plenty of swimming room. Even a 4-foor tank is too small for one.