Final Tank Upgrade For Ornatums

[mattlee]

i am planning a final tank upgrade for my cichlasoma ornatums but am unsure what size to get......

i have read that the largest wild caught ornatum comes in at 10 inches so i am guessing that mine hopefully will reach 8-9 inches but as they arent a common fish no body has grew them to their potential max size in an aquarium

i was hoping for a 5x2x2 but ND have an offer on a 60x18x24 at the minute. with an 18 inch depth and a 8-9 inch fish do you guys think this will be enough room?

the tank can only be 5ft wide unfortunately due to space so again is this big enough for 6 potential adult 8-9 inch fish?

i do have an EBJD in with them at the minute and i think when all are adult size i will be pushing it with 7 cichlids so maybe he can go in with Keith when bigger

i know bigger is better but that extra 6 inch depth is quite a bit more costly especially as the smaller tank is on offer. so what do you guys think 60x24x24 or 60x18x24........?

also i will have a 6x2x2 in another room for my other cichlids so if it comes to it i can transfer some fish about to accomodate them if they do get too big but i am hoping that the ornatums will get on fine so i can have them in a display tank of their own unless i end up with a breeding pair which will no doubt cause a few issues 1 part of me would love a pair of these but 1 part just wants a nice ornatum tank with all 6 in......

 

[hamfist]

I'd say that an 18" depth is OK for fish that will absolutely not grow bigger than 10".

So, yes, if the 18" depth tank is a big saving on the 24" tank and money is really tight then go for it.

Even so, the 24" still does give you a LOT more possibilities in the future for any slightly larger fish, and your ornatums would certainly appreciate any extra space. Unless money was really tight, I'd personally still probably go for the 5x2x2.

 

[mattlee]

60x18x24 = £500

60x24x24 = £663

so it is quite a bit of a saving and lighting will have to be purchased on top of these prices too......

as i will be buying a 6x2x2 as well the saving is quite a big chunk towards that tank. i know the extra room will be appreciated by the fish, the bigger the better, and we have room for a 60x24x24 so thats not an issue.

their current tank is 48x16x20 i think so it just doesnt seem that much bigger to me even though volume wise it is......

 

[Joshwainwright]

If you're short on money and need to save some for the lighting, go for the cheaper option. However, if money isn't a problem and you want to satisfy yourself and you fish as much as you can, go for the larger tank.

 

[hamfist]

You might well save a little bit of money by getting the 5x2x2, but not getting the hood.

IMO, the ND hoods are pretty monstrous and heavy (I could not lift the 5' x 2' lid on and off on my own for example !). With the saving of not getting the hood, you can get a 5', 2 x T8 luminaire, which both looks better and is cheaper overall.

From this ..

TO this ....

 

[mattlee]

i did read your post the other night as it goes ... i still can decide which looks best though i like yours as you can see more tank but i like the neatness and overall finish of the original hood

do you think that they would make the hood shallower or a bit more tank revealing.....?

 

[kevinjames]

i have a nd aquatics 5 x 2 x 2 and hav kept the hood on. ive never had to take it off for maintenance either. imo it looks better and neater with the hood on

 

[Joshwainwright]

It looks better, but what about jumpers?

 

[hamfist]

It looks better, but what about jumpers?

It still has very sturdy sliding cover glass over the entire surface.

 

[Joshwainwright]

Oh, now that would just make me want it

 

[hamfist]

do you think that they would make the hood shallower or a bit more tank revealing.....?

They're a small, flexible company. I'm sure they would do their best to adapt it to your needs.

In all honesty, the hood didn't actually cover up much of the tank (no more than an inch). It just stood up on top of the tank for several inches.

 

[snowflake311]

Just make your own hood. It's just a box.

 

[mattlee]

Just make your own hood. It's just a box.

make my own hood.....

it has to look nice as this tank will be on full view!!!!!!

do you think that they would make the hood shallower or a bit more tank revealing.....?

They're a small, flexible company. I'm sure they would do their best to adapt it to your needs.

In all honesty, the hood didn't actually cover up much of the tank (no more than an inch). It just stood up on top of the tank for several inches.

ill ask them to see what they can do.

it looks like you can see much more than an inch difference between your style and with the hood..... if thats the case then i might just go with the hood

 

[snowflake311]

I take that means you are not very handy?

 

[mattlee]

I take that means you are not very handy?

put it this way

i dont mind trying and probably could make something that looks something like a hood but it has to look nice as other people will see it

in other words........ no