Chosing an aquarium - what shape?

[CACAdmin]

When choosing an aquarium, our first thought is usually what size should you get (keeping in mind the requirements of the species we plan to put in the tank). Then comes the choice of glass or acrylic. Of course, the decision making could end there. However, there is such a variety of shapes available (almost limitless if you want to go custom acrylic but for most of us that's not in our budgets), that we need to give that some thought.

It's a combination of aesthetics and footprint. Namely how do you want it to look and does it need to fit into a specific location and are space dimensions limiting? This factors in any time I buy a tank because of extremely limited space (I live in a bachelor apt. with 5+ tanks... plus because 5 are up all the time and the others get set up and taken down).

Some of the most common shapes available are :


Rectangular (includes, regular, long, tall, breeder, etc.)
Bowfront
Hex
Flat Back Hex
Half Cylinder
Corner (1/4 cylinder)
Corner (Pentagon)
Which shape tanks do you prefer? Share with us from your experience the pros and cons of the various shapes.

[GaryofMontreal]

For me, everything revolves around air exchange. I would love deep tanks, but low and shallow makes more sense. I haven't seen a lot of tropical fish habitats, but those I have seen feature water movement we can barely imagine. Oxygen is what our fishes need.

[Namor]

I'm kinda partial to bowfronts. I run two AquaClear 70's on my 72g., and find that provides fairly decent circulation. I'll be going on a fishy shopping spree today, and hope to add another bow.::D:

[CACAdmin]

For me, everything revolves around air exchange. I would love deep tanks, but low and shallow makes more sense. I haven't seen a lot of tropical fish habitats, but those I have seen feature water movement we can barely imagine. Oxygen is what our fishes need.

Very true, Gary, and it's definitely something to keep in mind should we choose some of the various tank designs. We need to enure we do whatever is needed to increase waterflow and oxygenation. In my 2 tall tanks I tend to overfilter with HOB's to have a lots of water movement and have the water level low enough so that there is quite a cascade of water into the tank.


I'll be going on a fishy shopping spree today, and hope to add another bow.::D:


Have fun shopping. Hope you find what you're looking for at a good price.

[neon]

I love my 28 gallon Hexagon......it sits up high on its own wooden stand.

and it fits perfect in my corner of our living room.


what is your favorite Jay?

[CACAdmin]

I do really like the look of Bowfronts but they just aren't in the budget.

[neon]

I do really like the look of Bowfronts but they just aren't in the budget.

I have never seen them, I find most are really expensive!

[Namor]

Have fun shopping. Hope you find what you're looking for at a good price.

Thanks Jay, I think I did pretty well.
Our club had an "at cost" day at Petland.
I'd say I was like a kid in a candy store, but I did have a limit on what I could spend.
Came in $12 under budget, and picked the following up for $188.-
5x100g packs of various frozen food.
80g quality flake/freeze dried.
30lbs black gravel (for the "space" tank).
20 ft. of soft airline tubing.
2 large air wands.
A nice big piece of Malaysian driftwood.
And a 46g bowfront.:Smile:

I completely forgot to see if there were any assassin snails.
They had some a couple weeks ago, and had hoped to maybe spread a few around,
as some members were recently looking for them.

[CACAdmin]

Sounds like you did really well. We'll of course expect to see this new bowfront all set up by.... what? tomorrow? :wink:

I completely forgot to see if there were any assassin snails.
They had some a couple weeks ago, and had hoped to maybe spread a few around,
as some members were recently looking for them.
Excuse me, you mean you were too busy loading up on all those goodies and you forgot about us. :err: We'll forgive you (this time. :wink: )

[Namor]

Sounds like you did really well. We'll of course expect to see this new bowfront all set up by.... what? tomorrow? :wink:
:rofl:
The speed of which I get things done is somewhat less than stellar.:twitcy:

(Still haven't "multi-quoted").:laugh:

[Namor]

Excuse me, you mean you were too busy loading up on all those goodies and you forgot about us. :err: We'll forgive you (this time. :wink: )
:laugh: I could never forget you guys.

A guy I was sharing a cart with had bigger eyes than mine. Maneuvering a cart in confined quarters with light tubes hanging out either side threw me for a loop.:laugh:

[OldMan]

I marked rectangular, because they are, but my real preference is the "breeders". The shape is wider than a typical tank of the same volume and a bit shorter. That gives 2 advantages to my way of thinking. It means more swimming room for the fish and a larger surface for air exchange. If I decide to decorate a tank, it also gives me some depth to work with rather than just trying to give the impression of depth by using artistic placement of decor. I am definitely no artist after all.

[chem]

Even though they are very difficult to aquascape I really like the stretched hex. This is my favorite tank that I have ever had - 30g brown smoked mirror on the outside and back 3 panels were mirrored. The big problem is that they are prone to splitting a seam (like mine eventually did) because of their engineering.

http://www.pnlovesyou.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21550/normal_110_0513.jpg
http://www.pnlovesyou.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21550/normal_Pdr_0002.jpg

[CACAdmin]

A very nice looking tank and beautifully aquascaped, chem. I do like the look of them. In fact, I looked at those at one time when I was trying to find something over 40g with a footprint that would fit into my place. I even went so far as to go around pricing them. Strangely enough there weren't many to be found around town at that time. Now that you've mentioned that they are prone to splitting a seam :wideeyed: , I'm glad I opted for a rectangular tank instead. Living on the 7th floor of a high rise, I want to avert any potential flooding if I can.

[GaryofMontreal]

I've had three seam splits in my time as an aquarist. All were tanks that were narrow front to back, and tall. There's a 33 gallon design that's rectangular, 36x13 deep, 18 high. I had three, from three different manufacturers, and two split. The deepest tank I ever had, a tall narrow 75 also split, although I saw it start to go and was able to save the flooding. So narrow footprints with tall display areas make me nervous.

[CACAdmin]

Having heard that, given that my largest tank 70g is 24.5 in. tall :wideeyed: , I'm glad that it's not narrow. It's 36 in x 18 in wide. Hopefully, I never get a seam split.

[GaryofMontreal]

That shape seems solid. Seamsplitaphobia isn't in order. The 33s were nice looking tanks, and they have made nice aquarium covers since I cut them up and recycled them.
I think a front to back top brace is really important. At this point, I look for them on anything bigger than a 20. My 77 gave out high in a seam, but both 33s popped at the base along the bottom, dead centre. A proper frame brace probably would have done the job. I find tank construction seems to have improved even as filter and heater quality have really tumbled.

[neon]

Even though they are very difficult to aquascape I really like the stretched hex. This is my favorite tank that I have ever had - 30g brown smoked mirror on the outside and back 3 panels were mirrored. The big problem is that they are prone to splitting a seam (like mine eventually did) because of their engineering.

http://www.pnlovesyou.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21550/normal_110_0513.jpg
http://www.pnlovesyou.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21550/normal_Pdr_0002.jpg



this tank is just gorgeous!

are all hexagons known for splitting seams....as we just bought a regular hexagon one a few months ago.

[blainep]

I like the 'cheap' shape ! ::D:

Almost every tank I have has been gotten 'on the cheap' so the shape is usually dirty and in need of a reseal.

That being said, when I built my big tank rack, I used rectangular tanks with a 24 inch long footprint.

[CACAdmin]

After all the tanks you've resealed, you must be pro by now, Blaine.

[blainep]

After all the tanks you've resealed, you must be pro by now, Blaine.

I don't know about being a 'pro', but I seem to get the job done.

[thegrandpoohbah]

I chose other because Jay forgot to list the best shape of all: the cube!

[Edgezilla]

If I have a choice, I would pick a cube. But 95% of the time, you have to custom build them.

[Laura]

I have the standard rectangles.
My only comment would be regarding the height of the tank. I've had a couple of 24" tall tanks. Only because I've got long arms is it manageable. My mom has a 30" tall cube and it's a huge PITA to plant and aquascape (even with my long arms).
Just something to consider.

[jewels]

On a local internet auction I saw what appeared to be about six foot tall cylindrical aquarium. I am certain I know why it was for sale.
Just viewing it gave me a headache!:no:

[BlueAbyss]

For me, everything revolves around air exchange. I would love deep tanks, but low and shallow makes more sense. I haven't seen a lot of tropical fish habitats, but those I have seen feature water movement we can barely imagine. Oxygen is what our fishes need.

Indeed, many fish live in fast moving water... my tetra tank has a 15x turnover and I still don't think it's enough :rolleyes: