skinny tank

[Ava_Banana]

Recently after discussions with Emma (wife) about another tank ( ) one of the options was to have a tank on a window ledge.

This ledge is between our kitchen and conservatory, so does not have sunlight shining through it (not directly).

We discussed it.........and I thought maybe of making one up.........then I just saw this on ebay....

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...4324582488&rd=1

Which looks interesting (but I got to measure the window of course ).

Any thoughts...........anyone else had a "thin" tank................

....any thoughts on suitable fish........which swim along quite a way.....but can turn around easily (i am guessing at fish which are not too long.... )....

..interesting.....no?

 

[parker313]

I would stay FAAAAAR away from those. In addition to it being very hard to find suitable fish, it's going to be hard to keep the water oxygenated enough. Part of what determines the stocking amount that a tank can hold is the surface area b/c the water needs to be in contact with the air to get enough oxygen. In those kinds of tanks, I wouldn't be surprised to see lots of fish deaths due to poorly oxygenated water.

 

[clutterydrawer]

I think it'd be more trouble than it's worth

it *could* work as long as it was stocked to take into account the reduced surface area, but i think it would be easier all roudn tog et a bigger tank.

Edit: an empty tank looks deeper (front-to back distance) than when its full of water, i dunno why, some kind of optical illusion thingy, so when it's full it'll only look a bout 3" deep.

 

[yhbae]

In terms of surface area, it is only slightly larger than a standard 5.5g tank, quite a bit smaller than a 10g, so you are not going to be able to accomodate much fishes in there, but I have to admit, if you can choose the right species & decoration, it could look interesting...

 

[Paul_MTS]

I saw that then thought no as maintenance inside it would be a right pain.

it would be a interesting peice to have but alot of work in my mind.

I'd find out the exact dimensions first and its it's big enought to fit your arm in could be worth a try!!

 

[yhbae]

Oops, my bad... )

The tank dimension is 60x6 not 24x6... So it is much larger than what I quoted above. Now it has similar foot print as 20g long tank!

Personally, If I could get it cheap, I would try to do something with it...

 

[guppymonkey]

It looks too thin to me. It would be to landscape the tank, as not much will fit inside of it. Finding driftwood or rocks for it would be a pain. Also, maintaining balance inside the tank would be difficult because of the small surface area, if you would like only a few small fish it would be fine but if you wanted a large number of fish or a larger decorative fish it would be too small.

 

[yhbae]

Personally, I'd try something with it, perhaps a tank with some African shellies (N Multies?) on one side and rock dwellers (smallest Julidochromis?) in the other side... With that much length, there must be something interesting you can do with it...

But you are right, this is definitely not a mainstream tank, and if you don't already own community tanks, this isn't the one to do it with...

 

[Paul_MTS]

how about making it into like a waterfall from 1 end to the other, then you could have a coldwater UK native tank with hillstream loach, stone loach, millers thumbs.

i aquired some stone loach whilst on holiday and put them in my pond, unfortunately the millers thubs i also caught didn't survive quarantine.

 

[Ava_Banana]

Thanks for the replies.

It is tempting.........and if cheap enough, I think I will give it a go.......(since it is only 20 mins drive away... B) .

I was thinking of something very simple, nothing drastic.........to be honest, I was thinking of having it as a purely small livebearer tank..........probably Endlers if I can get a couple of males and harem of females.... Lots of ineresting (and thin) planting.

Or maybe just a heavily planted shoaling tank.........pack of cardinals, pack of rummy noses and a pack of Harlequins...... B) .

18 hours to go..........

 

[smithrc]

surface area isn't the be all and end all for stocking levels.

I'd guess you'd use an external filter on it to keep the tank clear. and external filters oxygenate water loads as it passes through the system.

Surface area is only a major limiting factor if there is very little surface movement.

EDIT - that meant i'd give it a go - i'td look great in a window (without direct sunlight as mentioned )

 

[daniodude]

it looks pretty cool, if you can find a small, thin piece of drift wood you could grow plants into the wood

 

[bluefire]

i think it could look cool, but it might be hard to maintain
it would look good with some tall plants like vals.

 

[Ava_Banana]

Bidding has ended for this item. (ava_banana is the winner)



If you are ava_banana, click the Continue button to pay now.





So...........just couldn't help myself...........it is a short drive away and I got it for £8.50........ B)

Pick it up at the weekend......cycling starts Sunday.......

 

[The-Wolf]

Wow i think your suggestion for an endlers only tank is the best idea for that tank. Congratulations on the winning bid