Tank Length Question

[alf1096]

Currently I have a 65 gal that's about 5 years old but want to start planning an upgrade and start saving so it will be about a year. I am more into the coral aspect but my wife is more into the fish. I want a 120 48x24x24 with lots of colorful small fish but was thinking of looking at a 150 60x24x24 for the sake of keeping some bigger fish. Question is will a foot make that much difference in what I can keep fish wise.

If I could get some good size fish in the 48 inch tank I will go that route. Would like a fox face, yellow tang, powder brown tang go in a 48 inch tank. Also open up to other cool fish suggestions. If 60 inch is the way to go then that's what I will do really don't want to go much bigger than 5 foot.

Thanks

 

[Marshall O]

I would not do a Powder Brown in a 4' tank. In this case, the extra 1' would make a big difference. Ideally, they are supposed to be in 6' long tanks minimum, though I think a 150 would be large enough. The Foxface and Yellow Tang should be fine in either tank.

 

[alf1096]

Tank Length Question

What are some tangs that would be ok in a 48. If y'all can give me some good fish ideas that will make the wife happy in the 48.

How about a kole tang

 

[Dmorty217]

Bristle tooth tangs are better suited for a 4ft tank. White tail, tomini, striated, and a kole tang are some choices. The yellow tang and foxface will be a issue together in a 120g. My foxface and sailfin were a issue in my 220g together.

 

[nikon187]

foxface get the size of a football, really*need a min 6 foot tank. the powder as well..only tangs suited for a 4 foot tank are zebrasoma ( not the sailfin ) and the bristle tooth family ( kole , tomini, )

 

[Fish Biscuit]

If you can go with the 5' tank, you'll want to go bigger down the road & the extra length will give you more room for corals. Tangs are busy & need the swimming room, yellows are especially a pia from what I've seen on here.

 

[gsiegel]

Kole and mimic are good choices IMO
I would also stay away from larger tangs as they ideally ahould have more room to swim.
Yellow or purple may work but may also be a pia towards some new additions. If you do add either, I am partial to the purple, I would certainly add them after any other tang and purchase them on the smaller side.

As far as other suggestions, there are so many. Wrasses add great color (see Marshall's avatar) and are great active additions.
Anthias as well.

I would first figure out the size tank, bigger always being better, and prepare a fish list of possible choices and come back and post it.

Best of luck and enjoy!

 

[Pigpen17]

I am a height and depth man as well, but if I was going to drop the cash, I would go for the extra foot. How can it be bad?

Personally, I am wanting to upgrade eventually and I'm looking at a 100g tank. 60"x18"x24". It's exactly twice the tank I have right now. Perfect.

 

[alf1096]

Thanks for the input. I was just seeing what bigger fish would work. I guess it's time to start showing her some of these to see if she will be happy with them. I would like to stay with the 120 for a water change reason. I could do 2 buckets but if went to the 150 would want to automate it somehow.

 

[Macimage]

If you want tangs, I'd recommend the 6' tank.

 

[ahmed_iAM]

Length x width for most fish since they prefer a horizontal swimming pattern. There are a couple fish that prefer to swim vertically, but Don't mind that. 72'x 18' 125/135gallon would be more ideal. Makes tank look funny because of height to length ratio. But 60" 150 would be no problem at all. Wouldn't recommend adult trigger though or larger fish.