What Size Tank?

[JayPT]

Hi,

I was forced to get a new tank from a friend after my old one cracked while I wasn't at home.. So I have no clue how big this tank is.

http/i166.photobucket.com/albums/u83/wolflover91/172.jpg

Yes, there is one lone fish in there, clearly not enjoying himself. I'll likely end up bringing him back.

What are your guesstimates?
Thanks

 

[coldcazzie]

Hi JayPT,

Hex tanks are difficult. Can you give us a guestimate of how wide each side is, and how tall the tank is? From that we would be able to work out the tank volume? Measuring with a tape measure is ideal, but failing that a classroom ruler is ok, or something similar?

 

[JayPT]

http/img545.imageshack.us/img545/8904/172xo.jpg

There you have it, I put it on the photo to show you exactly - and thanks.

Each side are those sizes, I measured each to check that.

EDOT: Oh geez, not getting enough sleep is finally getting to me! xD

The bottom measurement is actually 9.50. I seriously measured that wrong because I looked at the wrong side of the measuring tape.

 

[Essjay23 138]

Depending on which on-line calculator you use, it's either 3.74 American galls/14.16 litres or it's 3.24 galls/12.26litres.

 

[coldcazzie]

Ok.

√3
4 x 4[sup]2[/sup] x 6 x 18 = 748.25 inch[sup]3[/sup] = 12.26 litres or 3.23 gals.

So it's big enough for a betta. Or a breeding colony of shrimp?

Can't tell what fish that is... but I'd bet money the tank isn't big enough for it!

 

[Tolan]

I think it's an Orange Laser Corydoras in it.

 

[JayPT]

No, it's not nearly big enough for it, and I wouldn't dispute it - I didn't buy the fish and I know what it is therefore know its not big enough. Someone else in my household did and.. well, they don't know about fish, really, they have the same view of fish as the general population. He's being returned today.

EDIT: See above.. I mistakenly looked at the wrong thing for the for the bottom measurement. Sigh. I'm so sorry. xD

Is a bigger tank worth it? I was considering buying one. 25 gal.

 

[coldcazzie]

So it's 9.5 inch?

So that makes 69L or 18g.

better what you wanting to keep?

 

[JayPT]

I asked the people I know about the tank - it had said 20 gallons when they bought it on the paper work, so it must be my measurements being off. Forgive me, I'm not good with numbers, or math.
It took me long enough to get the tape measure right!
xD

Not sure, really, what could fit in there? I know the trade off is 1 inch of fish = 1 gallon of water.
What options do I have here? I like colorful, active fish, as well as catfish. And that lone fish in there is a Long Fin Rosy Barb - but he's returned, because I don't know what I'm doing yet.

And not to mention, if all succeeds, I get another bigger tank. 40 Gal. I miss those days!

 

[coldcazzie]

Well tank sizes are never absolute. You don't fill it to the brim after all, and you usually have substrate, and decor which displaces some of the water.

Hexs are difficult because they're taller than they are long or wide... the surface area of the tank is important for gas exchange, so a tank with not much surface area can't support a large number of fish.

It all depends on what kind of fish you like. Livebearers? Gouramis? Shoalers?

 

[JayPT]

Well, yeah, that's mostly the reason why I'm looking for a regular rectangular tank.

I'd be willing for Gouramis, to see how they do. Basically, I'm looking for simple, hardy fish, until I can save up for my bigger rectangular tank (I've decided on a 40 gal). I used to do a lot of this several years ago and the hex tank has proven to be a challenge because of how drastically different it is. I downgraded. I went from a 40 gal rec. tank to a 20 gal hex tank - extremely difficult for me now.

But would you mind telling me good brands for a 40 gal. rectangular? This will last a few months, perhaps until December, then I'm upgrading.

 

[coldcazzie]

If it were me I'd probably put a group of gouramis in it and leave it at that.

As for brands, there are many good brands out there. The most sensible thing I'd suggest is do what you've done this time - find one you're considering, and then post it up and see whether other people think it's a good deal.