20L or 29 gallon

[dvanv]

I am thinking of getting either a 20L or a 29 gallon tank. Could someone suggest one over the other? What equipment differences would there be? Also what kind of stocking could I do?

I haven't had an aquarium in a long time and I thought it would be a relaxing hobby. I enjoy reading through AA very much.

 

[bs6749]

If I remember right they are the same length and width... I think. If it were me I would go with the larger 29 gallon tank just because more would be able to fit in it. The pricing shouldn't be THAT much different and to me it would be worth the extra bucks. I started off thinking that I wanted a 29 gallon tank but got a 55 gallon instead. Then I also got a 10 gallon tank a month later. What a difference huh? LOL

 

[Lonewolfblue]

Another thing to look at, larger is better. More water volume = better stability. Once cycled, maintenance is a breeze.

 

[fish_4_all]

A 20L tank is only 5.28 gallons so I would definately go for the 29 gallon if you can. Much easier to do a lot more with unless you are looking for micro system. Just from the size difference, the filter, lighting, and all other options are going to a lot different from each other. As for stocking, the 20L would be a couple fish with few options. The 29 gallon would have a lot of options with a lot of different fish.

 

[triazole]

20L = 20 long.

filtration -> 20L ~ 120gph ; 29g ~ 180gph
heater -> 20L ~ 100W ; 29g ~ 150W

the amount of light wouldn't matter if you're not doing a planted tank. i'd go with the 29g.

 

[fish_4_all]

My bad, sorry

 

[Caspar]

Whatever you choose, Wal-Mart has a good deal on kits.

 

[SCFatz]

Stay away from the kits ino.While the tank quality is usually fine,the heater and filtration is barely adequate and will be replaced sooner then you think ime.

Look around online/paper where ever locally and find a good used tank,or catch a new one on sale.Often used tanks come with "everything" or "extras" and you may end up with some quality stuff for cheap.

Kits seem great,...and don't get me wrong they "work".But you will spend more in the long run either upgrading or replacing things.Just my opinion.

To answer the question go with the largest tank you can...many many reasons for that...MANY.The biggest you have room for,or the biggest you can afford.I have never ever,not one time,seen someone post how they had wished they had started "smaller" lol.....but the other way around is pretty common.

 

[JeffreyL]

20

LoneWolfBlue is correct, bigger is always better. Even if you keep exactly the same fish 9 more gallons (more than a 40% increase!) is much easier to keep stable. Plus the extra 6 inches in height lets you play with taller plants & aquascaping more. A low tank is great for breeding, raising fry and specialised things like that.

And the only difference in cost should be the tank itself, as all the goodies fit both tanks. Another reason the 29 has gotten so popular. Good luck and don't forget to post some pics when you get set up!!

 

[JDogg]

my two cents....

i agree that size does matter and bigger tanks are more stable...

what ever tank you get there may be a time when you want a bigger tank. this is a dangerous condition if you catch it, it is called MTS, Multi-Tank Syndrome, and if left untreated can drive you mad. luckily for you you are in the right place and we can help you deal with MTS

that said...4 me before i get a tank it first like to think about what my "centerpiece fish" for the tank is going to be, that one fish that i have to have for the tank, and around it everything else is set up.

maybe if yo give use a list of "must have" fish we can help you pick out the best tank for those fish...then you can make sure to get the right tank so you can get the kind of fish YOU want.

Good Luck!
-Jason

 

[SCFatz]

we can help you deal with MTS

We can?Was I supposed to sign up for a class or something?Did I miss a mass pm'ing??!!

Not only do I disagree,but I'm completely bumfuzzled.

Till the day I die I'll blame my MTS on AA (I'll aslo blame the water bill on a leaking faucet and that forever running toilet that doesn't even exist)

 

[JDogg]

we can help you deal with MTS

We can?Was I supposed to sign up for a class or something?Did I miss a mass pm'ing??!!

Not only do I disagree,but I'm completely bumfuzzled.

Till the day I die I'll blame my MTS on AA (I'll aslo blame the water bill on a leaking faucet and that forever running toilet that doesn't even exist)

i never said AA would stop or even prevent MTS. but you can get new ideas and support to deal with all your new tanks, IMO

 

[SCFatz]

LOL

 

[dvanv]

Thank you for all the info. I want to make this a community tank. Any suggestions on what kinds of fish to populate with?

I am now leaning toward the 29 gallon. The reason I was thinking of the 20L is the area fish get to school in. I have no idea of what centerpiece fish to consider.

This will already be making me a MTS victim. I have a 5 gallon set up with a betta.

 

[joannde]

Hi ! And welcome to AA !
This is a GREAT place to read and learn. If it weren't for AA my tank and my fish wouldn't be as healthy and happy as they are. I commend you for asking questions before beginning your (re)adventure into this wonderful hobby (some call it an addiction ! LOL)

The extra height of the 29G allows your fish more room in each "region" (upper, middle, bottom). As for which fish, that's too broad a question for me - did you have anything in mind ? a trip to the fish shops (LSFs) in your area might give you an idea of what you might be interested in.

To save you some time:
Bala sharks, cichlids, oscars, goldfish, clown loaches, and common plecos (to name a few) get too big for a 29G so save yourself some time by not looking in those tanks

Here's a great site to review some fish profiles:
http://fishprofiles.com/profiles/default.aspx?pnl=fresh

And please, before you do ANYTHNG be sure to read the articles on the nitrogen cycle and on properly cycling your tank. You should seriously look into doing a fishless cycle - yes, its BORING to have an empty tank for about a month, but it beats the heck out of having to do daily water changes of up to 50% so that your fish are not poisoned by the ammonia and nitrites that will accumulate.

Here are the articles for you to read; please read them and come back with questions - we're all here to help !


Nitrogen cycle
Fishless Cycling*

*note: article written by saltwater keeper - the exact same methods apply to freshwater