optimum tank size

[deriter]

I have a surplus stock of lexan that I was going to build a few tanks to start a fishroom in my basement. I was wondering if anyone could relay there thoughts as to what would be a good size of tank to build for breeding fish. I have lots of room to build the racks, with access to both the front and back side of racks. The lexan is 1/4" thickness and are about 19" x 66" . I have quite a few pieces and was going to build 8-10 tanks. Thanks for any input

[Melody]

I've moved this to the DIY section so our resident craftsmen are sure to see it.

It depends on the fish - did you have a species list in mind?

That said, bigger is better as a rule. The environment is more stable, maintenance is easier, less equipment is required and you can always use dividers in the tanks if you need to.

Sounds like a fun project - I hope you'll post pic's!

[OldMan]

For use in breeding, you will want to research the needs of the fish you intend to breed. The practical approach to breeding is to find a size that is big enough for a breeding group to use. That group would be a simple pair in things like angels but might be 4 or 5 fish for livebearers or egg scatterers. You would need a few tanks that size for the breeding itself. After that you need a place to house the breeders when they are not being bred and several large grow out tanks. What you end up with is at least 3 or 4 different sized tanks.
In most of our experiences we have all used tall tanks with a small footprint because they look so nice in our homes. For breeding, you usually want a large footprint tank that is not as deep. It gives a good surface area for growout and makes the fry easier to care for.