New Tank. What Dimensions Would You Choose?

[snazy]

Hi all, it's me again

I am intending to get a new tank this week, next week the latest.

I have a choice of two, but not sure which one to get.

1st option:

cm: L120 cm, W41 cm, H50 cm-about 240 litres
iches: L27.2 ich, W16.1 inch, L19.7 inch-about 63 US gallons


2nd option:

Cm: L120 cm, W47.7 cm, H74.5-about 330 litres
Inches: L47.2 inch, W18.8 inch, H29.3 inch-about 87 US gallons

I am planning to have live plants in it. My corydoras and pleco will be moved to the new one as it will be bigger and I'll have sand in it and eventually my male guppy fry will join.

I was going to go with the second option as it's bigger, but wondering if it's not a bit high for plants and corydoras? Plus both tanks are the same lenght really.

First one is second hand and will come with Fluval U4 internal and 205 external.

Second one is new and comes with hood filter, installed powerhead 900L/hr with the option to install a second power head to it of my choice and opening for external filter should I decide to go this way.

Both come with appropriate heaters, I have a spare one anyway. Lightning on the first one is 2x T8 bulbs, not sure about the wattage. Second one comes with 3x39W T5.

Any suggestions? Thanks

Edit: Forgot to mention, first tank is from PVC, second is 8mm / 0.3 standart safety glass

 

[holidayinn]

the bigger one

 

[snazy]

the bigger one

 

[micko]

Second option.
Firstly as its bigger and second that its glass.
I'm no plant expert but depending on the lights you should still be able to grow plants.

 

[CezzaXV]

I'd always go for the bigger one if you can afford it. Although the cories won't get the benefit of all the water that's above them per se, the increased volume means toxins won't build up so quickly and you'll be able to have more fish.

 

[holidayinn]

Would advise to always buy biggest tank you can sensibly afford.

Glass v Acrylic - both have advantages/disadvantages.

 

[stu40]

you'll need long arms for planting #2

 

[snazy]

you'll need long arms for planting #2

My pleco has learnt to unroot the plants so far. It's only a matter of time to teach him now how to plant them back...

 

[creeker]

My vote is for the second as well. I'm very jealous! I'd love to have a project like that right now!

 

[snazy]

Thanks for all your replies guys.

Guess it makes sense to get the bigger one after all. And actually the front glass corners are curved which looks better.

I am thinking I am going to have to get another power head and an external filter for this one.
Or is it better to get 2 more filters intead of adding a power head to the existing one?

The hood filter is actually a long tray divided in five sections, where the filter media is put in. There is a spray bar installed over the filter media, connected to one power head, a second spray bar can be installed and connected to another power head.

Any suggestions what type of external I should get, starting from brands like Hagen or Eihem? I want to have 10 times at least of the amount of water filtered an hour, so that is 3300l/hr in total. There is a 900L powerhead coming with it. What about the rest of filtration?

And another question, sorry....Any recommendations for a good air bubbler that does not make too much noise?
I have a Marina 200 on my 30G, but one of the outputs broke itself after about 1 month and had to be superglued, and is not one of the quietest ones.

 

[snazy]

Cm: L120 cm, W47.7 cm, H74.5-about 330 litres
Inches: L47.2 inch, W18.8 inch, H29.3 inch-about 87 US gallons

Not sure where I got the 330 litres from, it is actually 426 litres/109 US gallons