18 Inch High Or 15 Inch High? Your Opinion!

[noodles]

hi,

After some opinions to help me make my mind up. I am going to move from my small (but highly successful and enjoyable) fluval uno 500 tank to a larger one. Already have the cabinet and lid for it, so the base dimensions are decided as 30 inches by 12 inches. However I have the option for either a 12 inch, 15 inch or 18 inch high tank.

I have discounted the 12 inch high, its really just not tall enough leaving the other two options.

So now it comes down to price and what would look best, the best price for a 15 inch high is £27, where as the best price for a 18 inch high is £51.

So in your opinons would the extra little bit of height make that much difference and is it worth double the price?? ie: aesethically for me, and also for the extra space for the tank inhabitants.

Be interested to hear your thoughts!

 

[LiveLifeGoJump]

I would go for the 15" as, in MY opion, it would be a more aesethically pleasing size. It's 'horses for courses' though, if we all thought the same then the would only be one model of car, style of house etc. & life would be boring

I prefer to get something I want (and will do the job I want it to do) & pay the price, if I can't afford it then go without till I can afford it.

Try and have a look at all three sizes together and decide from there, also take into consideration the fish you are putting in (not much use getting a tall tank if all you fish are bottom feeders ).

 

[noodles]

thanks for your thoughts and opinions so far, both replies have hit the nail on the head. Firstly, angels, would possibly like to keep them, but also I think the 15 inch is more aesthetically pleasing. Decisions decisions!! and thats before I start on the design of the tank and its inhabitants!

 

[wendywc]

For twice the price, 3 extra inches aren't worth it. My vote is for the 15".

 

[Pheonix]

for that money the 3" does seem a little pricey but im sure you could get it cheaper if you looked around.

i went from a 15 to an 18 in my old tropical tank and personally i found although it was only 3 inches it seemed to make the whole viewing area alot bigger! it also made it closer to normal eye level so i didnt have to look down into the tank lol

also with those extra inches your adding more gallonage!!! never a bad thing for many reasons

Andy

 

[SmileyMan]

Height is one of the major factors on glass thickness / hence price

Higher u go - thicker glass got to be eg.

A tank 72"x24"x24" would be made in 10mm glass and cost around £220

A tank 72"x30"x24" (6 inch higher) would need 12mm glass and 24mm base and cost double..

(Used that as example cos thats the size tanks i been looking at)

But.. Higher tanks look better and add more volume for the same foot print (\volume = stability)

But.. Higher tanks have same maximum stock has the surface area stays the same...

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

for that money the 3" does seem a little pricey but im sure you could get it cheaper if you looked around.

yea it does seem alittle bit expensive. im pretty sure ud be able to get an 18" for about £40.
3" can give your tank a little erm... "ooh look at that!" from visitors, especially if it was well planted and contained angels. the fish would also have abit more space without having to take up more space length/width ways.

 

[skiltrip]

go for the 18". the volume will indeed help with stability, but most importantly, it does create a much nicer view. even though fish do swim back and forth more than up and down, they definitely use the height on my 37 gallon (30x12x 22" tall) all the time.

 

[annka5]

I say 18", for the extra volume basically. Unless you've really short arms (!) then the maintanence would be just as easy.

 

[Pheonix]

I say 18", for the extra volume basically. Unless you've really short arms (!) then the maintanence would be just as easy.

lol short arms!!

i need steps to get to the bottom of my tank

 

[noodles]

go for the 18". the volume will indeed help with stability, but most importantly, it does create a much nicer view. even though fish do swim back and forth more than up and down, they definitely use the height on my 37 gallon (30x12x 22" tall) all the time.

30x12x22!!! now thats cool! I guess its custom made? I have had enough trouble trying to source an 18 inch high with those base dimensions. Would love to see some pictures if you have some of your set up to get an idea what that height looks like.

 

[chibi]

The bigger, the better!

 

[skiltrip]

go for the 18". the volume will indeed help with stability, but most importantly, it does create a much nicer view. even though fish do swim back and forth more than up and down, they definitely use the height on my 37 gallon (30x12x 22" tall) all the time.

30x12x22!!! now thats cool! I guess its custom made? I have had enough trouble trying to source an 18 inch high with those base dimensions. Would love to see some pictures if you have some of your set up to get an idea what that height looks like.

it's just a regular All-Glass brand 37gallon. not custom.
All-Glass Aquarium sizes

here's a picture of one of my rock deco phases... it's a little different now, but you can see the tank size... you can see the extra height lets me do a lot of rockwork/deco down below and still gives the fish plenty of totally open free swimming space up top, should they want it.

 

[carpus]

A tank 72"x24"x24" would be made in 10mm glass and cost around £220

A tank 72"x30"x24" (6 inch higher) would need 12mm glass and 24mm base and cost double..

(Used that as example cos thats the size tanks i been looking at)

where are the prices from smiley man

sorry to hijack the thread

 

[SmileyMan]

Thats just a middle of the road price I have seen online. Seen em online from £170-270, Why?