90 gallons??? Should I buy

[Torrean]

I tried using the calculator and it said that this tank was 90 gallons. however it said that the maximum number of fish that i could put in it was around 50"? WTF. Did I mess up. What is going on here. I know that the rule is 1" per gallon. So what did I do wrong. I may be going to buy this aquarium in the next few days so any advice or suggestions for questions I should ask would be greatly appreciated. Thanks soooo much.

 

[Jen]

it all depends on surface area. I would guess that because it is only a foot deep, you might be restricted. But I could be wrong

 

[Torrean]

sorry guess I should have been more specific check the title of the thread again

 

[Ethos]

I'd have to agree with canoechiq^ Its prolly because its so shallow.

 

[Torrean]

it's three feet deep

 

[Mr Miagi]

What fish ya gonna be keeping? Alot has to do with what your stocking.

 

[Torrean]

the stuff in my 29 setup. Possibly with the addition of 2 more pictus and one more rainbow shark. Havn't made any hard decisions yet. I may sell three of the sharks.

 

[troutfly]

The surface area has a lot to do with it, right now, your surface area is only 4'x1' even thought it is 3' deep, it will restrict the size of the fish you can put in it. Also with a tank that narrow, you wouldn't wat a long bodied fish in there that needs room to turn around. I would say run the numbers again and see what you come up with, besides the 1" per 1" of fish is just a guide not a rule per say. With the proper filters you could put more fish in it. JMO

 

[Torrean]

Well none of the fish should be getting bigger than 6-7" so they should all be ok in a tank that size right? (edit: be able to turn around ok) i would like to get a wider one but this one is just sitting in the basement and the person selling it said make me an offer. So what do you think it is worth. It's been sitting dry so I'll need to fill it and see if it leaks. Is the tank actually 90 gal? I ran the numbers two more times and one time I got 75 gal. then the second time when I switched the thing over to US gallons I got 90 again with 50" of fish

 

[Undawada]

I think you could stock it higher than 50", with some good surface agitation. Put in a couple airstones or a spraybar. You wouldn't be able to put large fish in, because they wouldn't have enough room on the 1' side.

I'd say you could probably squeeze 70" or so in that tank with the right areation. The problem has to do with the short side. Oxygen can only enter the water on exposed surfaces (i.e. the top of the water). With a narrow tank like that, you don't have a lot of exposed surface. In fact, being 3' deep I'd feel better with a powerhead or an airstone to keep the water circulating anyway.

 

[Torrean]

Well I have two probably foot long airstones running in the 29 that I would be transfering would this be sufficient?

edit:I wish it weren't so deep and about a foot wider. But I can wish all I want and it won't change a thing.

So what do you think would be a good price for me to ask on this tank. Seeing as how it is functionally only a 70 gallon, When you consider the restrictions caused be the 12" side and the depth. I would have to get some serious lighting as I want this to be a planted tank. Couls I even do that with such a deep tank?

EDIT: Thanks for your help I really would like to get this tank as I think I can get it very cheap but I need some help deciding whether I should even take it if she's giving it away.

 

[Torrean]

Any tips on transporting this monster. I was thinking about moving it in my pickup but I REALLY don't want to crack it.

 

[Undawada]

If you want to plant the tank, you're going to need more intense lighting than normal. Personally I'd stick with low light plants, such as java fern. That way you're not spending loads of dough on just lights.

Another option would be to plant the higher light plants on top of driftwood to elevate them.

Perhaps you could somehow mount a light behind the tank, pointing downwards at an angle at the substrate, reducing the amount of light lost in the depth.

It sounds like it was probably a discus tank.

 

[Jen]

I just bought my 90 gallon set up for $400 CAD. I got absolutley everything with it... hood, stand, filters, right down to gravel and plants.

 

[Torrean]

was it used? You didn't say. I haven't seen it yet what questions do you think I should ask when I get the chance?

1. How long has it been sitting dry.
2. How long was it used before then.
3. What comes with it.
4. Does it leak, can I fill it to see?
5. What did you keep in it?
6. etc.

Could I mount a blacklight on the wall behind the tank or are there some hidden dangers to doing this. I have a full spectrum light that can be wall mounted I might get another one to mount behind this tank if I get it.