Suggestions on Tank Size - Aquarium Advice

flcowgirl · 06-09-2005, 01:05 PM

I have an already established 15 [acronym:2e6239c2cf="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:2e6239c2cf] tank. It is currently stocked with 1 Bala, 1 Common Pleco, 3 Black Skirted Tetras, 2 Catfish (I can't remember what kind

) and 1 Rainbow shark.

I know that it sounds like it is way overstocked, but all of the larger breeds are juveniles, so I don't have a problem...yet. Some of the fish are definitely growing, so I think that I might buy hubby a new tank for Father's day. I need to know what tank size would be appropriate for the fish that I have. I am not really looking to add anymore yet, but that might be a consideration in the future.

I also need suggestions for equipment. I have a good filter and heater, but I am sure that I would need to buy bigger ones to fit the bigger tank.

Please help!! I am relatively new to this hobby and need suggestions.

oxymoron · 06-09-2005, 01:44 PM

It all depends on the unknown catfish, if they stay small you could get a 55 gallon, if they get very large a 75 gallon might not be big enough. Some catfish get several feet long.

Depends on where you look, but...

Bala Shark - 10-12"
Common Pleco - 12-18"
Tetras - 2"x3 = 6"
Rainbow Shark - 6-8"

That is 34-44" right there. If your catfish are otos or cories, then a 55 gallon will be plenty.

I'd find out what kind of catfish you have before you make your decision.

talloulou · 06-09-2005, 02:01 PM

When thinking about buying a tank.......I would figure out the largest amount you have to spend, and the biggest space you have to put it, and then get the biggest tank you can. I think you can never have a big enough tank. You always want bigger. So you might as well get the biggest you can place in your house and afford from the get go. [acronym:f486c6bb70="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:f486c6bb70] :P

flcowgirl · 06-09-2005, 02:39 PM

I do remember that the Catfish were not supposed to get bigger than they were when I bought them. I knew that some of the others were going to get huge, so I didn't want all those big fish in there together.

I forgot that I have two dwarf Gourami.

I think that I will get a 75 [acronym:2a2642c607="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:2a2642c607]. I know that I have the room somewhere if I rearrange the furniture a little.

Thanks for the suggestions.

megladonsharky · 06-09-2005, 03:02 PM

If you have room and the $$ 125 s can be close to the $$ of a 75

**Fishyfanatic** · 06-09-2005, 03:49 PM

I was going to point out that if you had the money for a 55 [acronym:56e1f7f726="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:56e1f7f726], a 75 [acronym:56e1f7f726="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:56e1f7f726] wouldn't be much more. If you are going to upgrade to a 55+ tank, get a canister filter instead of a [acronym:56e1f7f726="Hang On Back"]hob[/acronym:56e1f7f726]. They are well worth the money.

RoK · 06-09-2005, 10:30 PM

If you did not have the bala shark, you could have gone with a 55 [acronym:91b6aa36ac="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:91b6aa36ac]. The problem is an adult bala needs lots of room and a 55 would just not be enough. A bala at full size would probably have trouble just turning around in a 12" wide tank. I don't think a 75 is even enough. I'm pretty sure I'm either going to have to bring mine to a store, give it to someone who has a bigger tank, or upgrade to a tank of 90 gallons or larger before it gets too big.

Toirtis · 06-10-2005, 03:32 AM

I would go 75, or even 90, which I think is a great home aquarium size.

06-09-2005, 01:05 PM	#1
flcowgirl Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 6	Suggestions on Tank Size I have an already established 15 [acronym:2e6239c2cf="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:2e6239c2cf] tank. It is currently stocked with 1 Bala, 1 Common Pleco, 3 Black Skirted Tetras, 2 Catfish (I can't remember what kind ) and 1 Rainbow shark. I know that it sounds like it is way overstocked, but all of the larger breeds are juveniles, so I don't have a problem...yet. Some of the fish are definitely growing, so I think that I might buy hubby a new tank for Father's day. I need to know what tank size would be appropriate for the fish that I have. I am not really looking to add anymore yet, but that might be a consideration in the future. I also need suggestions for equipment. I have a good filter and heater, but I am sure that I would need to buy bigger ones to fit the bigger tank. Please help!! I am relatively new to this hobby and need suggestions. __________________ flcowgirl (Melisa)

06-09-2005, 01:44 PM	#2
oxymoron Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Fort Wayne IN Posts: 80	It all depends on the unknown catfish, if they stay small you could get a 55 gallon, if they get very large a 75 gallon might not be big enough. Some catfish get several feet long. Depends on where you look, but... Bala Shark - 10-12" Common Pleco - 12-18" Tetras - 2"x3 = 6" Rainbow Shark - 6-8" That is 34-44" right there. If your catfish are otos or cories, then a 55 gallon will be plenty. I'd find out what kind of catfish you have before you make your decision. __________________ 20g 6 Neon Tetras 1 Oto Cat 1 [acronym:0efd57ae32="Siamese Algae Eater"]SAE[/acronym:0efd57ae32] 1 Powder Blue Dwarf Gourami

06-09-2005, 02:01 PM	#3
talloulou Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 2,092 Images: 17	When thinking about buying a tank.......I would figure out the largest amount you have to spend, and the biggest space you have to put it, and then get the biggest tank you can. I think you can never have a big enough tank. You always want bigger. So you might as well get the biggest you can place in your house and afford from the get go. [acronym:f486c6bb70="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:f486c6bb70] :P __________________ http://talloulou.smugmug.com/

06-09-2005, 02:39 PM	#4
flcowgirl Aquarium Advice Newbie Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 6	I do remember that the Catfish were not supposed to get bigger than they were when I bought them. I knew that some of the others were going to get huge, so I didn't want all those big fish in there together. I forgot that I have two dwarf Gourami. I think that I will get a 75 [acronym:2a2642c607="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:2a2642c607]. I know that I have the room somewhere if I rearrange the furniture a little. Thanks for the suggestions. __________________ flcowgirl (Melisa)

06-09-2005, 03:02 PM	#5
megladonsharky Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: north idaho Posts: 468	If you have room and the $$ 125 s can be close to the $$ of a 75 __________________ two gallon with 16 [acronym:362a9a3f00="Gallons per hour"]gph[/acronym:362a9a3f00] filter with live plants and a female betta named Meloday 3-4 gallon with 80gph ... Planted lightly three white clouds ( Birtha Clara and Delila) and some snails (mainly melodys snacks) 9 gallon with 130gph , heated with male betta (Trafalger RIP)Kaden ( a male betta)has moved in, pygmy cory (MaMa) , pitbull pleco(Metal), three preacox rainbows( Annabel, Glitter and Mondo) and various snails...

06-09-2005, 03:49 PM	#6
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	I was going to point out that if you had the money for a 55 [acronym:56e1f7f726="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:56e1f7f726], a 75 [acronym:56e1f7f726="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:56e1f7f726] wouldn't be much more. If you are going to upgrade to a 55+ tank, get a canister filter instead of a [acronym:56e1f7f726="Hang On Back"]hob[/acronym:56e1f7f726]. They are well worth the money. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

06-09-2005, 10:30 PM	#7
RoK Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,224 Images: 11	If you did not have the bala shark, you could have gone with a 55 [acronym:91b6aa36ac="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:91b6aa36ac]. The problem is an adult bala needs lots of room and a 55 would just not be enough. A bala at full size would probably have trouble just turning around in a 12" wide tank. I don't think a 75 is even enough. I'm pretty sure I'm either going to have to bring mine to a store, give it to someone who has a bigger tank, or upgrade to a tank of 90 gallons or larger before it gets too big. __________________ Current fish (includes all 8 running tanks): Gouramis, polypterids, SA cichlids, convicts, rainbows, plecos, loaches, ACFs, a platy, tetra, & a Ctenopoma

06-10-2005, 03:32 AM	#8
Toirtis Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,768	I would go 75, or even 90, which I think is a great home aquarium size. __________________ G. A. Christian Bilou, Zoologist/Writer Founder/Director, Reptile Rescue Alberta Vice-President, Calgary Aquarium Society www.calgaryaquariumsociety.com Polypterid/Primitive Fish/Ctenopoma/Catfish Fanatic 62 Aquariums, 2200+ total gallons, Aquarist since 1971.

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