YamNato Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 Hi there, I'm fairly new to the hobby and currently have a 50l tropical setup. I'm on bore water and get water with a p.H 8.5-9.0 and a dKH of 8, I'm told Malawi and Tanganyika Africans will suit this water. So I looked into them and I quite like the fish and the tank environment (rocky), long story short I want to start a new tank. I'm a student so it will take some time to get everything I need to start the tank (over 4 months) and get everything running. My thinking is for now I will get the tank, then build a solid stand, then filters etc etc.Right, so my question is.... I know go as big as you can is the rule of thumb but does tank dimensions make a difference? For example, I am currently looking at two tanksTank 1: 262 liters 1200 wide, 390 high, 560 deepTank 2: 338 liters 1220 wide, 600 high, 460 deepSo yes tank 2 has way more volume but tank 1 has a bigger foot print that can be used for more rocks and will allow for more caves.What would you guys recommend out of the two tanks?The other thing I have to keep in mind is that my house is on piles, the tank will sit partially above 2 piles in a corner against two exterior walls. The stand I want to build will be 1800x600 and will be real solid to spread the weight over the entire footprint. I'm thinking I might need to brace the floor some more, what experience do you guys have with this? The tank will sit perpendicular to the joists and the joists are 500mm on centers. If I went with the 338 liter I figure after I add the weight of the water, glass, substrate, rocks, lights ,filters etc. I am looking at 650 kg's.That weight makes me real nervous when I think about it. Well that was a mouthful.Any input is appreciated Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJWooble Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 Bigger the better in the scheme of things seems to work well. African tanks often have high stocking to lower aggression between individuals so the extra litrage would help even if it doesn't give you a much bigger foot print and you would have a bit more flexibility with things if you wanted to change the stocking in some way down the track Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfishhead Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 General rule - bigger the better.For tank size the importance of length > width/depth > height.Just some good standard size below: (in cm)1200 L x 45 D x 45 H1500 x 50 x 501800 x 60 x 60 Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YamNato Posted February 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 Thanks will keep these in mind when I getting the new tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfishhead Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 No worries. For your two tanks, tank one is better than tank two. YamNato 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nudge Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 I agree with "bigfishhead" overall footprint is better than litres. tank 1 would be my pick. As far as stocking goes the length of both tanks are similar and prob a bit short for the bigger open water haps but tank 1 is way deeper(front to back) so will give you more fish variety for your stocking. I have found that africans seem to be fine with a little less hight (top of tank to bottom) but definately need the width (front to back) IMO it is better to sacrifice a bit of length and volume to gain a bigger footprint YamNato 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YamNato Posted February 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 Thanks nudge and bigfishhead, I've put in a offer on tank 1 and will see how it goes. I've made a "wishlist" for all the things I want for the tank. I'm addicted haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YamNato Posted February 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 Tank 1 is now mine mega excited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nudge Posted February 17, 2016 Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 congrats, now the fun begins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gligor Posted February 17, 2016 Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 Congrats! Don't forget to post some photos of the tank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfishhead Posted February 17, 2016 Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 Congrats!Photo +1 once you have tank setup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted February 17, 2016 Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 That weight makes me real nervous when I think about it. My House is also on piles and I was just as nervous , all up I estimated my tanks , rock , stand/cabinet , sump and equipment etc at around 1 ton , what I ended up doing was strengthening the floor , once this was done I felt a lot more confident and I know for sure that if I had not done this I would most probably be having sleepless nights waiting for it to crash , This is how I did mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YamNato Posted February 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 1 ton! Wow okay I don't feel as worried now. Looking at what you did that is probably what I will do. Looks solid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YamNato Posted February 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 (edited) Yeah I'll post a completely new thread when it's all up and running, it'll take several months for me to get it all together but that's what I wanted, something to work towards Edited February 17, 2016 by YamNato Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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