Custom Tank For Cichlids

[kaivalagi]

Hi All,

I am still trying to decide on tank dimensions for a new custom tank which will house my CA/SA cichlids

I so far have the following 2 options I can't decide between (height v's length):

54"L x 18"D x 22"H (75G)
60"L x 18"D x 18"H (84G)

The stocking will be 4 male cichlids (FM, port acara, convict, geophagus max 6"), 7 x peppered cories, 3 x oto, 1 x BN plec. They'll be moved along with the existing external filter to the new tank

I am currently leaning towards the longer and shallower tank of the two. I can't really go deeper than 18" either due to space in the room, but can just about squeeze 5ft in length just...I figure my fish will appreciate the length increase most, especially after being in a 3" 125L tank for the first few months of their lives.

Do you think that 18" of height for this tank will be sufficient? I am guessing it will be fine for my cichlids, but would this height be okay for additional top feeding dithers I may get later on?

I could go larger in capacity with more height (i.e. 60x18x22) but I am on a wooden floor (good old variety, against a bearing wall and perp' to the joists) and so am limiting the max size to well under 100G to be safe. I don't think I'd gain much from 22" height over 18" for my fish anyway...what do you think?

I will also quite possibly be adding gravel and sand to the tank seperated with a home made slate divider between. 2/3rds sand, 1/3rd gravel, any comments/pitfalls on this?

I want to try and make this the last tank purchase/basic setup I make (no laughs please ) so am being extra cautious and asking you guys for your opinion, thanks for any comments

 

[Wills]

I would go for the biggest foot print rather than height 18 inches will be fine for all of your fish not really an issue for them also with the larger tank you have scope to add more IMO

 

[kaivalagi]

I would go for the biggest foot print rather than height 18 inches will be fine for all of your fish not really an issue for them also with the larger tank you have scope to add more IMO

Thanks, just what I wanted to hear...I just put the longer tank on aqadvisor, it's at 52% capacity when all the fish are full grown, it's gonna be nice to have plenty of spare capacity

I do like the idea of more length for the fish to move along in, should make territories less of a problem in the long run

 

[Aaron89]

22" high will cost a bomb, for me to gain 2" in height it added just over £100 on my custom tank so i dropped to 20"

get quote for both, see the diff in price then make a decision from what u can afford