Minimum Tank Size

[kydsexy]

When aquarists refer to minimum tank size, why don't they ever include the 20L, 30L, and 33L. What categories would those tanks fall into? I think that my 20 gallon long has the same dimensions W and L as a 29 gallon. I think...


If I was to purchase an urchin for a 30 gallon, would he be comfy in my 20L or is it just not enough space. Im pretty sure that urchins arent topswimmers

 

[herpencounter]

When aquarists refer to minimum tank size, why don't they ever include the 20L, 30L, and 33L. What categories would those tanks fall into? I think that my 20 gallon long has the same dimensions W and L as a 29 gallon. I think...


If I was to purchase an urchin for a 30 gallon, would he be comfy in my 20L or is it just not enough space. Im pretty sure that urchins arent topswimmers

Yes 20L is same as 29...

 

[Len]

I think total volume is just one limited measure people use on a universal basis. It's easier to say "I have a 50 gallon" then it is to say I have a 36x18x20 aquarium." Dimensions are also very important, especially when it comes to fish that need swimming room. Dimensions also helps give a rough idea about the substrate surface area that may be in the tank, which also effects what your stocking should be.

In short, it's just easy to say how many gallons. It's better to describe the dimensions (and say how many gallons too so people don't have to do the simple math )

 

[Anonymous]

When aquarists refer to minimum tank size, why don't they ever include the 20L, 30L, and 33L. What categories would those tanks fall into? I think that my 20 gallon long has the same dimensions W and L as a 29 gallon. I think...


If I was to purchase an urchin for a 30 gallon, would he be comfy in my 20L or is it just not enough space. Im pretty sure that urchins arent topswimmers

minimum tank size for what ? there isn't per se a minimum tank size for a sw aquarium-though each size has it's corresponding limitations for what can be kept inside, and the degree of error they will forgive in husbandry practices -there are 'pico' reefs as small as an 8oz. glass that hobbyists are keeping, nowadays

 

[kydsexy]

oh im sorry. i meant minimum size for fish. for example, "the minimum size for a dwarf lionfish is 29 gallons" found on a few websites, does this mean that since he's not a active swimmer that he would be suitable for a 20 long? Not just this example but any suggested minimum tank sizes for fish/inverts. Online sites suggest these but never include the long series.

 

[IslandCrow]

I think the best you can do when you start talking about nonstandard dimension tanks (the longs, talls, cubes, etc) is to do a little more research on the animal to learn the "why" behind the minimum tank recommendation. Something like a tang would probably do OK in a smaller than recommended tank if it were a long because that would give it the swimming room, but you'd also have to realize that part of that suggestion is because they're consummate grazers, and if you don't have plenty of rock for them to graze, it may be difficult for them to keep up with their nutrition needs. In general, I would think that you'd probably be OK if you meet the length and width "requirements" but not the depth, but that's certainly not something you should assume is true.

 

[Anonymous]

oh im sorry. i meant minimum size for fish. for example, "the minimum size for a dwarf lionfish is 29 gallons" found on a few websites, does this mean that since he's not a active swimmer that he would be suitable for a 20 long? Not just this example but any suggested minimum tank sizes for fish/inverts. Online sites suggest these but never include the long series.

from a bioload waste dilution perspective-a good general rule of thumb to start with is 5 gallons of water per running inch of fish, if the fish is the same height and thickness as a damsel (take a fish, try to imagine how many damsels will occupy its volume, and multiply by five)

other things such as territory, swimmming needs, etc., also come into play, and all of this also assumes that the proper filtration, husbandry, etc., is also taking place...

the rule isn't set in stone, though-a lion is fairly sedentary, and though a fu manchu has more body mass than a tang of the equivalent length, a tang has a higher O2 demand, and needs far more swimming room to feel 'comfy'-while the lion is a 'messier' eater, it also doesn't need to feed as often as a tang - this is where experience and 'feel' begin to come into play

 

[southiessmallest]

my 20L tank, i think it looks better than most people i knows 55g tanks