40 or 75 gal tank?

[sallywally]

We have a 30 gal tank now and are thinking of upgrading to either a 40 or a 75 gal breeder tank. They would be same distance front to back (18") but the 40 is 36" long and the 75 is 48" long.

75 gal would allow a lot more fish, etc. It would require major surgery to the original wood counter in our hearth room, though, and harder-to-do water changes, and I'm afraid to go from worrying about neons dying to big fish like roseline sharks getting sick and dying....It would also be a much more noticeable presence in this relatively small (but not tiny) room where we also have a big fireplace, raised brick hearth and a fairly large tv with surround sound.

40 gal would allow some additional fish, esp when we move a couple of tetra schools to a 20 long we will be replacing our Fluval Edge with above our tv cabinet, but not those that require 48" to swim - in particular roseline sharks......

We might get used to the bigger size over time, of course...

Comments?

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

75gal tanks are one of my favorites to work with. The size gives you a lot of flexibility in aquascaping and in species.

[Strider199]

I just went from a 29 gallon on a brick planter to a 55 gallon tank with a nice wooden cabinet stand that matches the furniture. At first my wife was skeptical but now with the tank set-up in the living room she says it adds to the room. Who would have thought? Go big!

[Cermet]

A 75 is a bear to move (empty) and water changes are bigger and harder to be effective -ie a 30% WC is over 22 gal but for a 40 that would be only 12 gal. That said, as long as you don't overload it and have a good biofilter (canister's can have bigger bio-volume compared to HOB) they can be easier to keep stable.

Add a lot of plants (proper lighting and a passive CO2 system, some trace additives and the plants will grow wild and better keep the tank stable.)

Still, a lot of work (and weight - almost 10 lbs per gallon! So 400 vs. 750! when full.) A bigger tank like a 75 means at least two good heaters (one for each side for better temp control and redundency.) The sand gets to be heavy since it takes more to cover a 75 bottom (eaily twice a 40 - remember, bigger means deeper too, so volume goes up fast.

More fish, more food. Also, more $$$ in general. Bigger also means more care but a pretty tank with more types and more varied fish (stay away from specialized fish until and unless you want to spend a lot of time on this hobby - common community fish are tough, easy and very pretty.)

Also, save your old filter material and transfer the ACTIVE media to the new filter (don't remove it until the new tank is setup, stable and ready to transfer the fish. That will quickly cycle the tank but remember, if you have more fish, the existing media will not remove all the waste and WC will be required for a few weeks until the media "catches" up. So a Ammonia/Nitrite/nitrate test kit is critical.)

A few thoughts - enjoy.:hmm3grin2orange:

[rich311k]

I love my 75 but get the tank you think you can handle.

[mac]

I am for bigger is better. The larger the tank the more forgiving on water params. Not to mention they really are simple to aqua scape.

And sorry cermet they are simple to move around a 2 people job! Even if made of 10mm glass.

When done right water changes can be very simple. I use a garden hose for my 100g and fill from shower. And yes the water is filted and all that.

mac

[Dave66]

Larger aquariums are always better. The more water the more stable a tank is, and stability is the name of the game in aquarium keeping. It's actually much easier to maintain water quality in a larger aquarium than a smaller one, since the larger the aquarium the less susceptible to environmental changes, such as room temperature. Also, with less changes larger tanks are less likely to experience fish diseases like Ich, since the stability larger tanks enjoy.

Dave

[WhiteDevil]

same footprint, only 12" wider, the 75 is a very versatile tank and you wont regret it due to the fact you will have a larger tank, easier to maintain, longer times of enjoyment and the fact you have the room to change up fish later on without the expense. you can find a used NICE 75g on CL for under 100 bucks.

[Goes to 11!]

same footprint, only 12" wider, the 75 is a very versatile tank and you wont regret it due to the fact you will have a larger tank, easier to maintain, longer times of enjoyment and the fact you have the room to change up fish later on without the expense. you can find a used NICE 75g on CL for under 100 bucks.
+ 1 to all of this & what Dave said.

[sallywally]

Thanks, everyone.comments. :thankyouyellow:

Dave, when you say fewer changes, do you mean fewer water changes?

Is the roseline shark a specialized fish? (Duh)....

[sallywally]

From my typing, you'd never guess I made my living as an editor.....(blush)

[Dave66]

Thanks, everyone.comments. :thankyouyellow:

Dave, when you say fewer changes, do you mean fewer water changes?

Is the roseline shark a specialized fish? (Duh)....

Fewer as in a smaller amount per change. Twenty percent weekly would be sufficient.

The rose line 'shark' is just a species of barb. They've been popular and pricey the last couple years because of their looks and scarcity. They aren't a rare fish; just demand outstrips supply, driving prices up per fish.

Dave

[sallywally]

OK, thanks. That sounds a little less intimidating!

[mac]

And price rises I see them up past $58.00 all the time each.

[Rue]

If I ever upgrade...I'm going with 75g.

I don't like my 55g...too narrow.

I don't like the 90g...too tall...much more awkward to clean...

The 75g seems just right...:hmm3grin2orange:

But yes...don't get it if it's gonna give you grief...

[mac]

Personally I prefer to get the tank made to measure. That way you can make it easy to clean simple to fit into a space. And IME they are way cheaper and stronger than shop bought ones.

mac

[Lady Hobbs]

If I ever upgrade...I'm going with 75g.

I don't like my 55g...too narrow.

I don't like the 90g...too tall...much more awkward to clean...

The 75g seems just right...:hmm3grin2orange:

But yes...don't get it if it's gonna give you grief...

Agree and could scream because I'm stuck with 55's. Hard to plant tanks so narrow. Also wish tanks didn't jump in length from 48" to 72". 55 or 60" would be nice.

[Strider199]

If I ever upgrade...I'm going with 75g.

I don't like my 55g...too narrow.

I don't like the 90g...too tall...much more awkward to clean...

The 75g seems just right...:hmm3grin2orange:

But yes...don't get it if it's gonna give you grief...

I think I read a book like that once. Goldie Locks and ......:hmm3grin2orange:

A custom made to order tank? Nice idea.

[mac]

Honestly I don't know why people don't get them made! much better. Shop bought are so limited in size space. At least with custom you can make the most amount of gallons out of inch space.

[sallywally]

Personally I prefer to get the tank made to measure. That way you can make it easy to clean simple to fit into a space. And IME they are way cheaper and stronger than shop bought ones.

mac

Mac, where do you get them made? My problem is this one can't be taller than 18". I might think about a 55 or 60 gal if I could get it made to my specs...also have to be 18" front to back for nice viewing and planting.

[mac]

You would have the find a Glazier or shop mostly suited to fixing windows off both house and car ect. Most of the time they make them. The odd one no.
Some times LFS will get them made to if you get a shop that supplies cheap pre made tanks. Mine dose. Just he wont get them to the size I get them.

mac

[sallywally]

You would have the find a Glazier or shop mostly suited to fixing windows off both house and car ect. Most of the time they make them. The odd one no.
Some times LFS will get them made to if you get a shop that supplies cheap pre made tanks. Mine dose. Just he wont get them to the size I get them.

mac

Thanks for that information. I don't know if I could get someone here to do that but it might be worth checking out. I'm probably too lazy, though! :ssmile:

[Rue]

The problem with custom, or any odd-sized tank...is getting parts for it.

Lids for example...light fixtures...etc.

[mac]

The problem with custom, or any odd-sized tank...is getting parts for it.

Lids for example...light fixtures...etc.

Wrong there. Glass lids are made to fit if you ask them, then simply get a builder to make one up! Lighting if you get the twin tube 3ft -4ft are so simple.
With care taken in planning the fittings are more simple I have found than shop bought tanks.

mac

[Goes to 11!]

Mac, where do you get them made? My problem is this one can't be taller than 18".
You have an issue then because my 75 [& most I'd wager] is 21" high.

Does that have to include the lights and all or do you have room for those?

You can get a 50 tall fairly reasonably [$112 + shipping to you from Glass cages (http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=2)] and it would fit: 36 x 18 x 17 Tall.

Just an idea.

[Lady Hobbs]

Honestly I don't know why people don't get them made! much better. Shop bought are so limited in size space. At least with custom you can make the most amount of gallons out of inch space.

Maybe because some people live 7 hours from a place that makes them.:ssuprised: And some of us can't afford customs?

[mac]

Maybe because some people live 7 hours from a place that makes them.:ssuprised: And some of us can't afford customs?


Agreed on that part for travel. Mind you takes me 2-4hr to get any were near a good LFS though!

But for cost, then something must be wrong with the person making it to make it cost more than a shop bought one. All of mine were made of strenghtend 10mm glass over normal 10mm glass. And the tanks are made up to 100g and 83 with lids all came in at $150.00 and $100.00 each for glass, and add $100.00 more for man hours plus government theft GST added to it of I think $60.00.

That comes to 1/3-1/7 of the cost of a shop bought from our area around NZ. Not to mention they are so much more simple to fit into any space you have, with maximum amount of gallons.

To get the same type tank from a shop as my 100g out of a shop would cost say $1,500.00 -$2,000.00 And about the same with my 83g.

With all the people I have talked to around OZ UK and other places I know from fish clubs LFS and contacts all say getting a tank made is cheaper.
The man who made my tanks imports the glass from other countries and says the same they will be always cheaper than the shops. Just some shops love to add to it!

Custom dose not mean more. The most expensive part is the stand!

mac

[Cliff]

It's interesting to see how things seem to be at different price levels depending on were you live.

Where I live going to a glass shop is usally more expensive than buy pre-made stuff, like tanks and lids. I think it's because it costs a lot in shipping fees for the glass shops up here to get full-sized cut glass for there stock as compaire to the LFS to get pre-packed goods.

I'm up in the Canadian north so shipping really efffects pricing levels.

[mac]

It's interesting to see how things seem to be at different price levels depending on were you live.

Where I live going to a glass shop is usally more expensive than buy pre-made stuff, like tanks and lids. I think it's because it costs a lot in shipping fees for the glass shops up here to get full-sized cut glass for there stock as compaire to the LFS to get pre-packed goods.

I'm up in the Canadian north so shipping really efffects pricing levels.

I know were you are coming from there. But being a small Island country in the pacific shipping is not cheap here either! And in some ways very hard to get anything cheap at all! Probably the cheapest thing to buy in NZ is cars!

mac

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Mac, I priced 2 glass lids for my 125 at one point and from the glass shop it was going to be about $60 per side. I can get them for $25 from an aquarium manufacturer in the next state over from me.

[190MPH]

I can see why you get custom ones where you live with the cost being outrageous for a standard off the shelf tank. But in my area, you can get a brand new 125g for less than $400. If you were to DIY a tank after getting the glass cut, then perhaps it may be cheaper here as well. But something to keep in mind is that there would be no manufacturers warranty, which is probably not provided if you have a glass shop build it.

[Lady Hobbs]

Stores don't stock all size tanks simply due to not enough space for storage. If they carry Aqueon tanks (All Glass) you can about order any size Aqueon makes and pick it up in a few days. If you were trying to get a tank installed in a wall and measurements had to be precise then I would think custom would be better but then I'd go acrylic.

[mac]

The man who built mine gave them a 6 month warranty for leaks and cracks.
Thus far they have stood up to I think 100 earth quakes after shock of around 4. And two main ones at 6 and 7.2 with ease. But I guess depends on the shop and individual. I was lucky with mine.

I do under-stand that in some places glass would be dearer. But I kind of think something must be wrong if in the USA were there is large amounts of supply that it seems to cost more to get a tank made there in a tiny Island. But oh well.

I know I had to shop around two shops. The 1st one over priced and did not even have a clue what to do! The other had done them all his life, along with his trade.

Oh I wish we could get 125g for that price. I remember looking for a 500g once and well. I could simply buy a nice car with 50,000km on it like a 04 Maxima or Camry or Holden for the price of it!

mac

[sallywally]

We got a habitat for our Russian Tortoises from Glass Cages and it is ok for our needs. The reviews about them were not all good, at least half weren't too hot....edges not fitting well, sloppy corner sealant, etc.

When I contacted them they weren't very helpful.

I didn't see standard 50s at 18" high, but we could do that (same height as the 75 gal breeder).

[sallywally]

Actually, our 40 breeder is 36 x 18 x 17, same size as Glass Cages 50 tall. Most talls, I thought, were somewhat taller, more up to 20, 21" high.

I'm going to the fancy LFS probably tomorrow to take a gander at the 75 that is 48 x 18 x 18, see how scary it looks there.

Also a little hard to transfer from a 30 gal and Fluval Edge to a 75 gal and 20 long - how to get the new tanks cycled....the old 30 gal has to go away because the 40 or the 75 has to go in the same place...clearly, moving to the 40 would be easier, with 36 gal of cycled water, filter media and gravel in the 40 to start with, almost like a normal water change. Then cycle the 20 long on its own.