Tank Designs

[Floyds mum]

What tank design will be best?
Hexagonal, square or rectangle or doesnt it matter much?

 

[mattlee]

a rectangle tank will give you more surface area if they are all of a similar size

 

[Floyds mum]

Ok thanx, would a hexagonal one be ok?
As im strapped for space, the new tank will need to fit a certain sized table.

 

[arobinson1984]

A hex tank would be fine but because of the reduced surface area you would have to reduce the stocking level by about half.

For example, if its a 30 gal hex tank then you'd need to stock it as if it was a 15/20 gal tank

Andy

 

[waterdrop]

I'd steer clear of tanks that try to use height to make it appear you've got more volume. Height doesn't really add much except potential trouble. It doesn't give you more surface area, so you have to force yourself to stock more lightly than the volume would normally indicate. It sometimes makes it harder to work down at the surface of the substrate, and it can be harder to aquascape with plants or fill with fish that will prefer to occupy all levels. These things can be done, its just always a little harder with a taller tank. Maybe its just me but plain old rectangles have just kept growing on me over time and there's nothing wrong with a big square either - I find the type of 3D depth look you could achieve to be a very interesting idea with say a big 40G breeder square or such.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[OldMan47]

The hex can be a pretty tank but, as WD said, it won't really hold more fish than the same tank in a shorter version. The largest surface area is actually in a hex if the heights of the tanks are all the same. The rectangle is a good choice if you have fish that like to swim sprints and the square is often the largest surface area because the hex is not the same height for the same volume. Confusing enough yet? If you want lots of fish in the smallest area, the square is the best bet. If you want sprinters like zebra danios, the rectangle is your best bet. If you are going for first impressions and appearance, I don't think you can beat a well planted hex.

 

[Floyds mum]

Ok thanx people.
I have a choice atm of 2 tanks, untill i go to lfs on friday:
Viaaqua Ar620 90L
fish box 48L

I know the top one in being larger would be the best idea but has anyone had a viaaqua?

 

[pjandnoo]

I personally would go with the Aquaone tank as I found my tank very easy to set up and their website has instructions to download on how to set/maintain the tank all for free www.aquaone.co.uk/instructions.php

The filter system is easy to understand although as someone has mentioned on here before the only downside is the where the water goes back into the tank it sounds like a bath emptying lol. This was easily cured with a piece of filter sponge.

I have found a few websites www.aquarium-parts.co.uk/acatalog/AR_620_Spares that sell the spares for these tanks too so at least there is some support if something does go wrong.

PJ

 

[Floyds mum]

I personally would go with the Aquaone tank as I found my tank very easy to set up and their website has instructions to download on how to set/maintain the tank all for free www.aquaone.co.uk/instructions.php

The filter system is easy to understand although as someone has mentioned on here before the only downside is the where the water goes back into the tank it sounds like a bath emptying lol. This was easily cured with a piece of filter sponge.

I have found a few websites www.aquarium-parts.co.uk/acatalog/AR_620_Spares that sell the spares for these tanks too so at least there is some support if something does go wrong.

PJ

The tak i mentioned is not listed as an aquaone tank, the aquaone tank is listed on the same site as being nearly £100 more, on seapets.co.uk
The fish box is an interpet so i know that that one is easy to get spares.
Thanx for your opinion tho

 

[mattlee]

viaqua and aquaone are the same tanks i have a viaqua ar620 and its great the problem with water re-entering the tank near the inlet pipe is fixed by a piece of filter floss. the filter acts as a wet and dry and mine cycled very fast. the tank looks great and is 90L so quite big for a 2 foot tank. i would recommend

 

[Floyds mum]

Oh right glad to know they are the same cos it says viaaqua on the tank lol
Ill have a chat with my dad cos the stand is 50cm square and the tank is something like 62cm long and he thinks it could be possible to fashion something sturdy, unless i can find a cheap stand thats wide enough.

The viaaqua/aqua one 90L tank is only £84.95 for the black one or £99.95 for a silver p&p incl i think.

 

[aly_starh]

Oh right glad to know they are the same cos it says viaaqua on the tank lol
Ill have a chat with my dad cos the stand is 50cm square and the tank is something like 62cm long and he thinks it could be possible to fashion something sturdy, unless i can find a cheap stand thats wide enough.

The viaaqua/aqua one 90L tank is only £84.95 for the black one or £99.95 for a silver p&p incl i think.

What you going to put in it?

 

[Floyds mum]

Current fish, cos current tank lights have gone and i might not be able to replace them.
White clouds, Guppies, Cory, Emerald eyed rasboras, White clouds have gotten bigger tho lol and one of my guppy fry is looking gorgeous like he is going to be a snakeskin marking

 

[aly_starh]

Cool! Woah, your buying a new tank because your bulb has gone.

Lucky You!

 

[Floyds mum]

Yeah the tank isnt a recogised brand (haliea) so if i cant find a replacement bulb then ive no choice lol so ill know this weekend wether i need to get a new tank not good tho.
Ive got a choice between interpet or aqua one/via Aqua