My Next Tank - Your Thoughts?

[Alex.]

Hello everyone.

I've finally decided after a massive 2 and a half months that I want to upgrade my tank I'm the type of person to read and read till I can't stop and having taken so much in on fishkeeping these last few months I'd love to give myself the opportunity to keep some different and perhaps larger fish in my community.

I currently have a Fluval Roma 125 with a tetra ex1200 external filter.

I've decided it's going to be either the Fluval Roma 240 or the Fluval Profile 1000 (275ltr).

What are your thoughts on these tanks? Specifically if anyone has any experience with the Profile I'd be interested...

The Roma is slightly longer at 120 x 40 x 55, but the Profile is taller at 100 x 47 x 65...

Are there any pros / cons I should know about longer tanks vs higher ones? Stocking choices maybe? I know there's not a massive difference between the two... But they do have there differences.

The Profile is a stunning tank, my only potential issue is the doors are on the sides of the cabinet and certainly the right side won't be far from a wall so maybe not able to open fully? Anyone with experience here would be a great help...

Link to the Roma - http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquariums/fluval/fluval-roma-aquariums/fluval-roma-240-aquarium-and-cabinet-oak-with-black-inserts.html

Link to the Profile - http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquariums/fluval/fluval-profile-aquariums/fluval-profile-1000-aquarium-kit-black-complete.html

All feedback and experience appreciated!

 

[KittyKat]

[…]I've decided it's going to be either the Fluval Roma 240 or the Fluval Profile 1000 (275ltr).

What are your thoughts on these tanks? Specifically if anyone has any experience with the Profile I'd be interested...

The Roma is slightly longer at 120 x 40 x 55, but the Profile is taller at 100 x 47 x 65...

Are there any pros / cons I should know about longer tanks vs higher ones? Stocking choices maybe? I know there's not a massive difference between the two... But they do have there differences.

The Roma is the better tank of the two because it gives you more options for fish (bottom area) and potentially higher stocking (surface area). In terms of species and total number of fish that you can keep, the Profile will not give you much over a standard 100 litre tank, which from my point of view is a bit of a waste of tank space, while the Roma will allow you to keep larger fish, a higher number of territorial fish and/or a larger number of fish. I can rephrase that in about a 100 different ways, but I'll leave it at that For me, the Roma is a hands down winner out of the two.

Trust me: there is a massive difference between 100 cm and 120 cm. Most often, it is the difference between keeping a shoal of cichlids and a pair for those of appropriate size, which makes a big difference to behaviour. It is also the difference between being able to keep large rainbows and not. I would say that any length difference is not massive only starting from 8 ft (240 cm) tanks as by that point, limiting factors are width and height.

 

[prankster705]

Larger surface area = more gas exchange = more fish.

Also, I hate tetratec filters with a passion (I've owned the EX700 for over 5 years, randomly leaks, rattles and is a general pita).

 

[Alex.]

Thanks for the replies... so even thought the Profile holds an extra 35 ltrs the length is more important?

As for the filter, havent had it long but no complaints so far! It's even outside the cabinet due to size and I can't hear it al all!

 

[Jayladd]

Really jealous, would love a fluval roma 240!!

 

[fluttermoth]

Thanks for the replies... so even thought the Profile holds an extra 35 ltrs the length is more important?

Yes. Most fish swim along the tank, rather than up and down like one of those air powered divers! Think of it in human terms. To a four inch/10cm fish, that 20cms is twice it's own body length, so it's sort of like you increasing the length of your living room by ten or twelve feet, as opposed to raising the ceiling, which would be 'wasted' space for you. It's kind of the same thing with fish.

And, as the other posters have said, a lot of your stocking level is determined by surface area for gas exchange. Deeper tanks don't give you any allowance for increased stocking, but length does.

 

[KittyKat]

Thanks for the replies... so even thought the Profile holds an extra 35 ltrs the length is more important?

Yes, I would even go so far as to say that volume has no relevance to what fish one can keep since all the odd shaped tanks have come about (I'm thinking about the columns, the bowls, the tall rectangles, etc.), so it is always well worth giving and looking at dimensions.