New Tank

[Cichlid Junkie]

I’m in the market for a bigger tank and am looking for suggestions. I'm trying to give "cupid" some ideas for Valentines Day! I have the room for a tank that is no longer than 36" (it's going on my wife's dresser in our bedroom so I can’t take up all the room!). It is a solid oak dresser with a 1" thick top. It could hold the weight of a 55 gallon with no problem!

Currently, I have a 7 gallon bow front (heavily planted) with:
3 Cacatuoides (1M/2F)
5 Rummy Nose Tetras
1 Dwarf Bristle Nose Pleco.

It will be a planted tank with plenty of breeding caves, driftwood and sand for substrate. For filtration, I'll probably stick with a HOB style. Which tank would give me the most floor space for the room I have?

 

[Lisachromis]

You do realize you'll probably ruin the finish on the dresser with water spilled during water changes. Is your wife going to like that? Not that I think having a tank there is bad, but some people have different ideas of what is acceptable. :wink:

 

[Cichlid Junkie]

The beauty of the dresser is that it is 60 years old and has a coat of varnish that is a good 1/8" thick. I normally put down a towel when I do water changes to minimize any standing water just to be on the safe side. Once we get a house my wife is going to get her salt water tank, so we have a mutual understanding!

 

[Mike Wise]

Probably your best bet on a commercially manufactured tank is one with a 36x18" foot print. These include 30 Breeder (12" deep), 40 Breeder (16" deep), & a 50 Breeder (18" deep). Of these 40 breeders are the most commonly sold.

 

[Cichlid Junkie]

Thanks Mike. That gives me a few diffrent choices. We'll have to see how much my wife loves me now!!!