[dennis]

I have been wanting to upgrade to a larger tank for a bit now and I think the time come! I have been doing tons of reading and looking in teh scaping forum, AquaJournals and all over the web for inspirational material. I have come to the conclusion that the 15 gallon and the 40 breeder used so frequently by Amano are perfect for aquascapes. since I already have the 15 I guess I need the 40

Problem is that I am a little leary of having the 40 in my second floor bedroom, as a renter plus, I will be moving within the next year and a 30 sounds a lot less scary to potential landlords Also, I tend to overanalize things to death so thats all I am doing now](*,) I have decided on the 40 breeder 36x18x16high or the 30gallon 36x12x16high.

Help me choose, please! The 30 seems like it would be enough but I am worried that the shallow depth will make me feel constricted and limit my aquascapes. I can find only a couple good examples of scaped, standard 30gallons. psuedro's is wonderful but its a hairgrass specific tank and I don't think the lack of depth would be an issue with that type of scape. I have an old used one that is 13" deep and the depth does not look to bad, when I look at it but and inch can be alot there. The older tank is out of the question to use, so don't ask.

I guess I am asking for any photos or comments that will aid in my quest. This tank will be replacing 3x10's adn will be in the NA style, if that helps. Any comments are welcome. Thanks!

 

[dennis]

Thanks for all your inputs. Actually, weight was not a concern, sorry if it sounded slow. To me, the 30 is much small and less imposing than the 40, notice my over anyalizing here, hence making it seem less scary to the uninformed. Weight, heck, the tank and stand all filled would barely make 2 of me and moving would be an issue if it were 40 gallons or 3 10s so no biggie there.

I guess I like to be very sure of things before I make my purchases. I bought the Eheim 2215, I will build my own stand and hood, etc. Truth be told, I would love a 36x16x16 but I really can't justify the money for that, right now at least Basically now i would like to see if it is possible to scape a 30 and give it depth. Part of me is almost wanting to try just for the extra challenge. Think, a 40breeder is almost twice as deep as anything I have. Whats the opposite of claustrophobic?

 

[dennis]

Thanks Matt,

I had considered the renters ins and to be honest, I am not to worried about my current landlady as I am about future ones. I will probaly be moving by the fall. Part of this new tank thing is to also simplify my life and possesions a little. Guess I should just say bugger it and stop wasting everyones time

 

[dennis]

Sloping and terracing. Funny you mentioned as i have noticed reciently that ADA sells a tapered, I assume plastic, block for the bottom of aquariums. It is ribbed to help hold the gravel in place and looks like it helps you get a good 3" of slope at the backs of tanks. Very interesting idea. I noticed that many of his 15 gallons are heavily sloped to the back and he often grows his stems so they come right to the front glass, lower in the front and higher in the back. Sometime this seems to rob it of depth, IMO but usually that works great.

Can i see a pic of your 40?

Thanks.

 

[dennis]

Actually, the 40 breeders I have seen locally are 16"tall. The 50 and 58 gallons are not a direction I want to go in at this time.. Guess it just might be the 40 afterall.

Andrew, thank you for your insights as the co-op president. In all honesty, I like te home ownership idea but the future will hold further education for me. Part of my reason for doing this now is that the next year holds the best times for me to make many of hte bigger purchases I will make for several years. Rings, tanks and a more economical vehicle will lay they groundwork for the next several years. School is a loan and grants, no mater how much I work or save.

But I digress.... Thank you all for the insights. Unless somthign much more interesting comes up (like a better dimensioned tank) the 40breeder it is.