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I'm at the point in my fish keeping hobby that I want to get rid of a tank. I am going to set up a 55g soon and had plans to set up a 38g, but I'm considering not doing that. I want to take down my 10g, but I have to find somewhere to put the fish.

Here's my options:

I could either set up the 38g as an Asian biotope like planned...move my Rasboras from the 10g to this tank. I still have to find somewhere for my betta. I could put the betta in this tank instead of my Opaline gourami, like I planned on. Or I could set up the 38g with the harlies, betta, and get some Apistos like I wanted for the 10g. Not an Asian tank though. It would be planted either way.

Or, what I'm leaning towards, setting up a 20g long tank. Move the harlies and the betta and maybe even my rummynose tetras from my current 55g tank (it has too many schools). A smaller tank, but doesn't take up as much room. Not as much water to change out. Easier to plant (smaller) and cheaper to light and buy equipment for.

But the 38g is bigger.

I just don't want alot of big tanks. If I setup the 38g, I'll also have 2 55g and a 29g. That's 4 relatively big tanks (IMO). I'm tired of my 10g. I wanted to heavily plant it, but I've decided against it.

If you were in my situation, would you go with the bigger tank (38g) or go with a 20g long, that is smaller?

Sorry about all my craziness. I've just been thinking alot. I know a smaller tank isn't necessarily easier to take care of, but it takes up less space. Is there anything difficult about setting up a 20g long planted tank? Should I just go with the bigger tank...its only 18 gallons more? Decisions, decisions....

Any more suggestions? I would appreciate anything...It isn't something I have to do right away, just something I want to do in the future.

edit: Oh and by cheaper, I mean only about $50 cheaper for equipment and lighting, but that's alot of $$ for a college student that works part time. Not much money to work with. I am going to setup another tank for the 10g fish....just have to decide which one. Help!

*Kristin*

IMO I would go with the larger tank, because its more space for the fish, 20 longs IME are easy to plant and care for, I set up a plastic background thatholds algae, to me, it eventualy blocks out the light that would cause the rest of the tank inside to not harbor algae, but the problem is though, that with algae dieing everyday and growing new, there is come cleanup, it only takes about 5 minuets if you slope your gravel to the front, it all collects in one sopt, then all over the place, also, if you have corys, they love to dig their faces into the piles of algae and munch away so it coubles as a good, fresh food source too

I have never played around with a 38 gallon, so I cant tell of any experiences, I have played with 29 gallons and 55 gallons, and I tell ya, the hardest thing for me, it trying to find plants tall enough..so i pretty much give up on that have everything seems alright again lol.

If I had to make a choice I would go with the 38g. The reason being is you are still going to be using almost the same amount of lenght space for either tank. The biggest different will be the height of the tanks. Also as you already know the larger tank will be easier to take care of as the water levels will be more stable. You can always understock the tank and this will allow you to go longer between cleanings. I have a standard 20g tank and I use a RUGF with a HOB and they make the perfect combo for cleaning. When I do my cleanings there is almost nothing to clean off the gravel. Another thing is this will allow room if you want other fish as you have said in other posts you are kind of a fish addict and I think a 20 will not do justice for ya.

Another thing is the hood for a 20 Long is going to cost more then a 38g hood as it needs to be longer. I know where I live it would be cheaper to get a hood for a 40g then a 20L.

Best of luck on either choice.

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Thanks you two.

The 38g is bigger...so more fish will fit comfortably. I would like some cories for the bottom and they'd be happier in a 38g than a 20g.

Ok so maybe I'll go with the 38g. Atleast its free...just have to find a stand for it that I like.

I have played with 29 gallons and 55 gallons, and I tell ya, the hardest thing for me, it trying to find plants tall enough

My 55g has been the hardest for my to plant. I hope to aquascape the new 55g better. My 29g was the easiest to plant. Its my favorite and the plants grow great. It is tall but only has 2.2wpg over it and the plants grow better than my other 2 tanks.

*Kristin*

You could always try to build a stand or have a friend do it for ya. After just put something over it so you won't see the 2x4's. It will only cost about $15 to make as 2x4's are not very spendy at Home Depot or Menards. Just a thought as you said you are looking for a low cost way.

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Live life to it's fullest
Who knows what tomorrow holds

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Thanks! There is a stand with the tank, but its only 2x4s. I wonder if I could make it look like a cabinet by putting some wood over the front and sides? I guess that's how you would do it if you built it yourself, right? I want something that is covered, so I can hide stuff in it. I'm obviously not handy though, and my dad isn't either. Maybe me and my mom could do it. She does alot of refinishing of furniture...not building, but really I think she would be more help than my dad...lol.

*Kristin*

All you would need to do is get a sheet or 2 of ply wood. Then just cut it to the sizes you would need for the sides and back. Then just simply nail it to the 2x4's. You could do something to the fromt for doors also but just cut the ply wood to the same size of the back peice, then just simply cut that in half. Then go to a improvement store and buy some small hinges and connect them to the half cut plywood then connect to the 2x4's You could even get some paint or stain and make it look pretty nice. It you don't want to do all this you could simply put something over the stand itself like a small table cloth or a sheet. That would cover the stand and no one would see it but you could still put the equiptment under it. You could also just cut a small peice of plywood for a shelf. Just a couple ideas for ya.

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Live life to it's fullest
Who knows what tomorrow holds

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