Ideal Tank Size

[nativecollector]

What is the ideal tank size for breeding apistos. I know that it can vary some for different species but generally speaking what is the best over all tank for having one to two breeding groups in one tank. Not looking for just gallons but more for the height x width x lenght. Again I know this is kinda of vague but I just need a starting point for them.

My original plan was to use the extra 10 gallon tanks I had but after reading through the forum some I realize that is not a good choice for the breeders. I will just use them for a grow out tank. I plan on building the tank for the ones I decide to get, which I still have not decided.

I am a novice to the aspitos but not to fish keeping, I know how to keep water soft or hard and I presently breed bettas. Point being that I could handle a little harder to handle fish than someone just starting out with fish in general.

 

[Apistt_ed]

when it comes to breeding, I tend to not care too much for water capacity, so much to say, as I do for floor space. I have more 20L (12 x 30x 12) tanks and 15gallon tanks(24 x 12 x 12) for pairs and even 10gallon tanks for the pairs of fish that aren't too aggressive. If as you were saying you want to keep breeding groups, then you would be looking for at the very least a 30g breeder tank (36 x 18 x 12) and up.

Most if not all of my fish start in 30-40gallon breeder tanks. Once I have a dependable bonded pair, I have them separated into single species barebottom 10-20 long tanks where I can monitor one pair of fish more efficiently.

if you'd like a general list of dimensions for tanks I have a great link.
http://www.alysta.com/books/fishtank.htm

hope this helps. john

 

[nativecollector]

Thank you for the link, I think I am going to go with some 30gal breeders. I have a acrylic order in for some other tanks that I am going to be building in the near future and one that moved towards the top of the list is the 30 gal breeder.

With what you said in mind would any tank larger than 10 gallons work if the height was only 10" vs 12" high. A 10 gallon with a height of 10" would be 10 x 15 x 16. That would be more of a square and sorta pointless to build but its the thought behind it. It will be easy to put a tank together that is 10 x 24 x 36 which is around 35+ gallons. This would give alot of floor space.

Ultimate goal is to have between 4-6 breeding pairs. If each need thier own tank that would not be a problem other than the time it will take to build or buy more tanks. I am thinking of at least 2 different species but possibly 3.

This is a project that is going to be started within the next month or two. I am in the process of building a new house and guess what I get to add. A BIG fish house. So I want to have things thought out as I am designing the size and space I will need for the garage.

 

[Apistt_ed]

With what you said in mind would any tank larger than 10 gallons work if the height was only 10" vs 12" high. A 10 gallon with a height of 10" would be 10 x 15 x 16. That would be more of a square and sorta pointless to build but its the thought behind it. It will be easy to put a tank together that is 10 x 24 x 36 which is around 35+ gallons. This would give alot of floor space.

Ultimate goal is to have between 4-6 breeding pairs. If each need thier own tank that would not be a problem other than the time it will take to build or buy more tanks. I am thinking of at least 2 different species but possibly 3.

This is a project that is going to be started within the next month or two. I am in the process of building a new house and guess what I get to add. A BIG fish house. So I want to have things thought out as I am designing the size and space I will need for the garage.

The height of the tanks aren't really important in my opinion, but rather floor space. As I started, I used to have a step tank display system that was 3 tiers/steps high and able to hold up to five 30gallon breeders across each step/tier, with the length of the tanks running front to back so the actual "front/length" of the tank is really now the "side/width" of the tank. Once you have set up the tanks this way, it makes for more space for more tanks and if started a mere few inches off the floor, you can even make it more steps or have a larger show tank that graces the top running the "traditional" length-wise across the steps.
My set-up stretched just under 9ft across and about 5ft tall with three 30breeders on the bottom step with the second step holding only 20L tanks and the top holding a 90gallon show tank. I had started with one wall and ended up covering all four walls with a pivoting chair in the center of the room for me. Lucky you. I'm green with envy as I hear about your plans for a fishroom! I have nowhere near the time or space for a tankroom but may be inspired enough to maybe build me a fish shed. best luck. john