4Ft Aquarium

[catfish4ever]

Got a new 50 gallon aquarium
 
dimensions 4ft long x 1ft, 3" wide x 1ft, 8"
 
I see the tank as not very wide and quite slim? is width a neccessity
 
feel as if the tank will not be as good because its not very wide

 

[fluttermoth]

That's a standard size for a four foot tank. The width just means you can't put any very large fish in it, but you wouldn't want to do that with a four foot anyway.

Aim for nothing with an adult size of over six inches, and you'll be fine

 

[techen]

I had a tank like that, Wasn't bad but yea the width annoyed me for ages till I replaced it

 

[stanleo]

I know what you mean about the the width. My 55gl is limited with the plants I want but there are a lot of options out there, I'm sure you can find the one that's right for you. 
 
Are you going to start a journal about it? 

 

[Byron]

Back in the 1980's my largest tank then was a 50/55g with these dimensions.  There are ways to make it less obvious.  A dull black background is one; black construction paper is fine for this, I still use this on all my smaller tanks.  Decor can help too; you will probably want some chunks of wood and/or branches for the type of fish that will suit this tank, and you can place them so the tank looks deeper (front to back I mean, not vertical).  And more rather than fewer chunks of wood create the illusion of more space.  When it comes to fish, more active swimmers will appreciate the length if that is what you want, but slower more sedate fish are also good.  This is the minimum sized tank for a small group of angelfish for example, or a group of one of the medium/large gourami like the beautiful Pearl.
 
Byron. 

 

[catfish4ever]

Gah, this sucks then? im stucked with a badly wide tank that ive already paid for
 
FM could i keep anything over 6" or is that a no no?
 
i hope this tank turns out okay

 

[fluttermoth]

I really don't see your problem with this tank! When I started fishkeeping, all you could really get in a four foot length (at a reasonable price, anyway; I'm quite mean

) was the standard 12"x15" or the 'big' 15"x18". I've kept fish in them for donkey's years; still have one in my bedroom

When you're thinking of tank size for larger fish (that's anything over three or four inches, adult size) you need to ensure the tank is a minimum of five times the fish's adult size in length and twice in width (so, to house a foot long fish, you'd need at least a 5'x2'x2').

However, it's a good idea to leave yourself a bit of leeway as many fish will grow a bit bigger than expected, if they're in a big enough tank and well cared for, so that's why I said a six inch maximum, rather than seven or eight.

Hope that makes sense; it's good size tank, just stock in with fish appropriate in size and for your water and it'll be fine

 

[catfish4ever]

I really don't see your problem with this tank! When I started fishkeeping, all you could really get in a four foot length (at a reasonable price, anyway; I'm quite mean

) was the standard 12"x15" or the 'big' 15"x18". I've kept fish in them for donkey's years; still have one in my bedroom

When you're thinking of tank size for larger fish (that's anything over three or four inches, adult size) you need to ensure the tank is a minimum of five times the fish's adult size in length and twice in width (so, to house a foot long fish, you'd need at least a 5'x2'x2').

However, it's a good idea to leave yourself a bit of leeway as many fish will grow a bit bigger than expected, if they're in a big enough tank and well cared for, so that's why I said a six inch maximum, rather than seven or eight.

Hope that makes sense; it's good size tank, just stock in with fish appropriate in size and for your water and it'll be fine

I guess youre right, i should give it a go, plus i got a custom stand with it
 
thanks for the advice

 

[evan47]

it sounds great to me. if i had room for one i would take it off your hands in an instant.