Tall Tanks Better?

[torch]

Tall tanks of 24 inch Tall better than standard 20 inches? I am debating which ones to buy. When Discus gets to 7 inches, seems all research indicate they like taller tank?

[YSS]

Are you debating between 75G and 90G? Anyhow, I love tall tanks. I think it makes the tank look much better. Sometimes, more pain to maintain, but still love the extra height. I am sure discus wouldn't mind it either.

[torch]

Actually, 40G Tall at 30x12.5x24 high, compare to 50G 36x15x20 high. I have 4 young right now and will be getting two more.

When Discus get old, do they swim more up/down or lateral?

I have a two step ladder, so maintenance is not problem for me, but I like to like to make a good choice so I don't have to upgrade later. Due to my living size limitation max size tank I can do is 36 inch in length.

[Tropical Haven]

Sometimes when you go to tall tanks you start to loose surface area in the tank.

[torch]

Yep, think the 36 inch across would be better then 24 inch tall in terms of oxygen. The deeper 24 inch tall may have some circulation issues.

[digthemlows]

my 125 is 5 ft by 2.5 ft by 26" tall and when my loaches uproot plants (which they do about once a week) it's a long reach to stick them in the soil again....................but I love the dimensions of this tank!

[RickMay1]

I don’t think 4 inches will matter one way or the other. I saw a video at the ACA Denver shot in the wild of some discus breeding; they were about 6 feet down. The guy giving the talk said there were fish breeding from the top of the tree to the bottom. I’m sure deeper is better, but the surface area is more important.

[torch]

So I'm leaning on the 50 gallon where its 36 length x 15 wide x 20 high. This should give six adult Discus even surface area for oxygenation, lateral and up/down movement, as well as breeding ( I have a breedering cone ).

[-gb-]

personally I like the 65gallon tall. I'd consider it over the 50gallon. The additional 10gallons makes a difference.

[dpt8]

Right now for tall tanks I have 2 90 gl.'s and a 65 gl. Beautiful, easy to care for and I love the height as the discus use the whole tank, top middle and bottom. The adults especially look beautiful as the float up and down the tank as they display to one another..

[edmoran77]

I just started with a 56 tall column and so far it has work out great! I also like it because it takes up less floor space than a traditional 55 gallon. Discus seem to have no problem using the entire space either. Ed

[Eyecandy]

Hi... I love the height on my 120 gallon. Its 4x2x2 and the discus really do seem to float all the way to the top. There's 8 of them and they use the entire tank, up down and all around.. It's a bit more involved to clean as I am only 5 feet tall but a step stool solves the problem. I love the look of discus with driftwood and plants in tall tanks. HTH Sue

[tacks]

Hi I have just gone from a 90 gallon to a 150 tall 48x24x30 I will say as this is a planted tank it is not the easiest to work on. Having said that my 5inch Wilds are swimming all over the place, they seem very happy and active hth Ed

[alpine]

I have 75 gallon tanks and for maintenance purpose that is a perfect height. I have one 125 and at 23 inches it starts getting a little harder and I am six feet tall.

Roberto.

[BOBT00LS]

Im considering a 36Wide X 24Deep X 36Tall. Its approximately 135 Gallons which I would keep 15 sub adults in. I havent seen anyone on here mention a tank 36 inches deep. What are you thoughts on the surface area of this tank with two hydo sponge filters and a Fluvall 404 ?

Bob

[RockHound]

For tanks that sit in your living room.
(or, wherever friends/guest can view)

I prefer a tall tank.
As it gives the appearance of deeper water.
Besides the fact, the fish use it all, top to bottom.

Shorter wider tanks are a bit easier to maintain.
But, the air/water interface issue, is of no matter.
When you are running a good sized wet/dry type trickle filter.
As that provides, a huge air/water interface, anyway.

Tall tanks are like looking at 48 inch high definition TV’s.
Which are a great pleasure to view.
At least in my humble opinion.

[Harriett]

The only thing I'd add is that IF you end up wanting to do a planted tank, a taller tank gives more room for plant growth AND it is also a bigger pain in the butt to get your light down to the substrate to grow out shorter plants. I have a 24" deep and it's great for the plants. My discus swim from bottom to top and frequently lay eggs on the tubes high in the tank--whatever room they have, they'll swim in. A show tank is much more impressive for discus if it's got good height to it, IMO. Remember: If you go for a deep tank, you need long enough arm length/tool length or a good step stool tor each the bottom for maintanence, of course!
The key to good oxygenation is surface water movement--stay on top of that and load the tank with more than adequate filtration and you'll be fine whatever size and shape you choose.
Hope that helps,
Harriett

[torch]

Thanks for eveyone's feedback. I will think this through. Will end up with 55 gallon 36x15x20 anyway, that is biggest tank I can afford for both money and space for now. would be great to go with 48 inch in length and 24 inch in height, but not now.

[rogge26]

I agree. More surface area is better. More surface area equals more oxygen. More oxygen equals happier fish.
You could also get the higher tank and measure the oxygen levels and, if they get too low, you could add more surface agitation such as with a power head.

[happygirl65]

... Remember: If you go for a deep tank, you need long enough arm length/tool length or a good step stool to reach the bottom for maintanence, of course! ....Harriett


I agree with you Harriett, in my 90 (24" high) I had to get a longer python tube just to be able to reach the bottom. I have to have long tools to maintain the plants (short arms) AND stand on a ladder....but how it looks.....OH SO worth it! :)

[ShinShin]

A tank 16" tall is adequate for discus. 18" tall tanks appeal to the eye of the discus keeper more than the discus. Anything above 16-18" is more or less wasted space. What makes a discus feel more secure than a tall tank is a tank that is deeper front to back. An 18" front to back dimension with a 16" height is far better than an 18-24" tall tank with a 12-14" front to back dimension.

Mat

[GrillMaster]

I, like Mat, Like the long and wide approach.

I guess it all boils down to watching your discus swim up and down, or side to side.

I like watchin a school going left to right or vice versa personally. :)

[neonmkr]

I've always believed the larger the surface area, the better, but for looks, go for long & tall.

[Apistomaster]

If you only have room for a 36 inch long tank, you are far better off choosing one that is 18 inches wide. 50 gallon 36 x 18 x 18 is the optimal dimensions available ready made.
I don't care how much filtration you use, the limiting factor is still surface area. Such a short tank but narrower and taller will not be adequate for Discus to attain an optimal size if 50 gallons is the largest tank you can buy. The double cube 36x18x18 in. would be barely adequate for six adult Discus. Each Discus should have about 144 sq. in. of minimum surface area per fish.