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	20 gal long vs. 20 gal reg
katieb Fish Addict Posts: 697 Votes: 69 Registered: 03-Jul-2004	Is it true that a 20 gal long can stock more than a regular 20 gal? I'll do graffiti, If you sing to me in French.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
sly Big Fish Posts: 377 Kudos: 251 Votes: 0 Registered: 22-Jun-2004	Yes, longer tanks have more ground area for fish to hide/swim.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
sirbooks Moderator Sociopath Posts: 3875 Kudos: 5164 Votes: 932 Registered: 26-Jul-2004	This may be true, depending on what type of fish you get. A 20 long has more surface area, so more gas exchange occurs, adding oxygen to the water. Some tall fish, like angels, may not be able to fit in a 20 long, whereas they would do ok in a normal 20 gallon. And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
littlemousling Conchiform Posts: 5230 Registered: 23-Aug-2003	By most estimates, yes. The 20L has more swimming space, a much better surface area, and no wasted height. But, my vote always goes to low stocking, no matter the shape or size. -Molly Visit shelldwellers.com!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
lunker101 Fish Addict Posts: 521 Kudos: 284 Votes: 2 Registered: 19-Aug-2003	Yes you can stock the 20L with more than a 20H. Not much more though.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
joe fishy Fish Addict Posts: 605 Kudos: 1355 Votes: 65 Registered: 21-Apr-2003	When in doubt, I always go for more surface area, which a 20 long provides over a 20 'tall'. I use the guideline of 12 square inches of surface area for each inch of fish as a stocking rule to start, and then adjust as neccessary. This is assuming the fish are all 3" or under, which is what you would normally put in a tank of that size.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
HazyWater Hobbyist Posts: 101 Kudos: 44 Votes: 0 Registered: 19-Oct-2002	I prefer the 20L as I believe it has much more aesthetically pleasing dimensions. Decorate it with a bunch of short leafy foreground or carpet plants and place a larger, attention-grabbing rock in the center with some moss and a schooling fish and you have yourself a zen-y tank. [span class="edited"][Edited by hazywater 2004-08-31 19:02][/span]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
Silverlight Enthusiast Posts: 212 Kudos: 396 Votes: 43 Registered: 04-Jul-2004	The increased bottom surface area of the 20-long is also of benefit with any territorially-minded fish, I would think. Ever since the turf war between my two Rams (regrettably, it didn't end in a draw) I've sorely missed the extra six inches of a 20-long. Only my Amazon Swords really care about the extra three or four inches of water column, to everyone else it's just extra distance to the daily supply of flakes.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
Crazygar Mega Fish "Wheel of Mortality..turn turn turn..." Posts: 1230 Kudos: 1087 Votes: 1 Registered: 30-Jun-2003	I prefer to understock (generally making species tanks) anyways. I would say the needs of the fish determine the tank. Rams, would prefer the 20 long. Angel Fish, 20 Tall. Gary
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
katieb Fish Addict Posts: 697 Votes: 69 Registered: 03-Jul-2004	Thanks for the replies! I was just checking to make sure. My lfs had a 20L for $37. And christmas is right around the corner I'll do graffiti, If you sing to me in French.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
Vumeter Fingerling Posts: 19 Kudos: 18 Votes: 0 Registered: 29-Apr-2004	Check out Petsmart if you have one near you. Last time I checked 20L were around $25.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
girlunderrainbow Big Fish Posts: 323 Kudos: 230 Votes: 0 Registered: 22-Aug-2003	I have a 20 gal long and you can stock a little more..but mostly, the fish have a greater distance to swim from one point to the other.. And if you are planting, there light has less far to travel down..
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54
iltat Mega Fish Posts: 1076 Kudos: 1216 Votes: 0 Registered: 14-Oct-2002	20 longs can be stocked a TAD bit more, but don't get carried away... They'll help provide better lighting for live plants, better swimming/territorial space for fish, and easier access for cleaning and gravel-vaccing too... PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:54


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