The difference 20 gallons makes.

[Mark]

I recently bought a 75 gallon and moved my assorted Malawi into it from
a 55. What a difference! I'm seeing hardly any chasing at all. And one
pseudotropheus which had been off and on banished to the top of the
tank, now cruises peacefully through the rocks and has her own hidey hole.

Mark

[The Madd Hatter]

I think the dimensions of the tank have a lot to do w/ it as well. The most
stable tank I've ever had is my 77 gallon. I moved the entire population of
my 100 gallon (all adult malawi cichlids + a few victoriansand tangs) into
the 77 gallon because it was a nicer show setup. I've got around 38 to 40
cichlids in there ranging in size from 3" to 5". They represent around 12 to
14 species. I also have 3 loaches in there, a couple of syno cats, and a
pleco. I was loosing fish to aggression in the 100 gallon on a regular
basis, but for some reason in this tank thats not the case. I think it gives
them enough room to swim around and enough room for lots of caves. It does
not give them enough room to define large territories though, so they can't
really target any one fish. I think another factor mightbe the fact that
this tank is in a low traffic area as opposed to the other one in the
kitchen.
"Mark" > wrote in message
...
> I recently bought a 75 gallon and moved my assorted Malawi into it from
> a 55. What a difference! I'm seeing hardly any chasing at all. And one
> pseudotropheus which had been off and on banished to the top of the
> tank, now cruises peacefully through the rocks and has her own hidey hole.
>
> Mark
>
>

[Mark]

High Flight wrote:

> Mark > says...
>
>>I recently bought a 75 gallon and moved my assorted Malawi into it from
>>a 55. What a difference! I'm seeing hardly any chasing at all. And one
>>pseudotropheus which had been off and on banished to the top of the
>>tank, now cruises peacefully through the rocks and has her own hidey hole.
>
>
> How many fish?
>
> Jack
>

M. Cyaneorhabdos 1m, 5f
Ps. socolofi 1m 2f
Ps. lombardoi 1m ,2f
E. Yellow lab 1m, 3f
Red zebra 1m,2f
Ps. acei yellow tail 1f
2 synodontis cats
1 pleco


Mark

[Mephistopheles]

Mark > wrote in
:

> I recently bought a 75 gallon and moved my assorted Malawi into
> it from a 55. What a difference! I'm seeing hardly any chasing
> at all. And one pseudotropheus which had been off and on
> banished to the top of the tank, now cruises peacefully through
> the rocks and has her own hidey hole.
>
> Mark
>
>

I am not surprised. 55 gallon tanks are odd-shaped tanks. They
are too narrow, from front to back, for a tank that size. Pet
stores push these tanks too much when they really should be a
specialty tank for fish such as discus. However, when it comes to
rock-dwelling fish such as many rift lake cichlids, you can make
even a 55 gallon tank much more livable for the fish if you pile
rocks high up the back. In essence, this greatly increases the
amount of area available for cichlid territories. The fish will
now define their territories not only by reference to the bottom of
the tank, but also by reference to the surface area covered by
rocks, which now includes the back of the tank.

Of course though, with larger fish, say in excess of six inches, no
amount of fiddling will really make a 55 gallon suitable. A larger
tank is the only answer for such fish.

Meph

[Mark]

Mark wrote:
> High Flight wrote:
>
>> Mark > says...
>>
>>> I recently bought a 75 gallon and moved my assorted Malawi into it
>>> from a 55. What a difference! I'm seeing hardly any chasing at all.
>>> And one pseudotropheus which had been off and on banished to the top
>>> of the tank, now cruises peacefully through the rocks and has her own
>>> hidey hole.
>>
>>
>>
>> How many fish?
>>
>> Jack
>>
>
> M. Cyaneorhabdos 1m, 5f
> Ps. socolofi 1m 2f
> Ps. lombardoi 1m ,2f
> E. Yellow lab 1m, 3f
> Red zebra 1m,2f
> Ps. acei yellow tail 1f
> 2 synodontis cats
> 1 pleco
>
>
> Mark
>
I added the labs, lombardoi and a few others since moving them.

Mark

[Mark]

Mephistopheles wrote:


>
>
> I am not surprised. 55 gallon tanks are odd-shaped tanks. They
> are too narrow, from front to back, for a tank that size. Pet
> stores push these tanks too much when they really should be a
> specialty tank for fish such as discus. However, when it comes to
> rock-dwelling fish such as many rift lake cichlids, you can make
> even a 55 gallon tank much more livable for the fish if you pile
> rocks high up the back. In essence, this greatly increases the
> amount of area available for cichlid territories. The fish will
> now define their territories not only by reference to the bottom of
> the tank, but also by reference to the surface area covered by
> rocks, which now includes the back of the tank.
>
> Of course though, with larger fish, say in excess of six inches, no
> amount of fiddling will really make a 55 gallon suitable. A larger
> tank is the only answer for such fish.
>
> Meph

One of the local lfs owners really pushes 75 gallon for africans because
of the increased horizontal space. I thought about getting a 90 gallon,
but where it is simply taller, not wider, I didn't think I'd be gaining
anything.

I had a ton of rock in the 55, but it seemed there just wasn't quite
enough room for everyone. Always someone left out.

Mark

[The Madd Hatter]

I think that's the crux of the problem w/ 55's... They are tall, but they
aren't really wide enough to really be able to make effective rock piles all
the way up the back.. Doesn't leave enough room in the front of the tank for
larger fish to swim.
"Mephistopheles" > wrote in
message nk.net...
> Mark > wrote in
> :
>
> > I recently bought a 75 gallon and moved my assorted Malawi into
> > it from a 55. What a difference! I'm seeing hardly any chasing
> > at all. And one pseudotropheus which had been off and on
> > banished to the top of the tank, now cruises peacefully through
> > the rocks and has her own hidey hole.
> >
> > Mark
> >
> >
>
> I am not surprised. 55 gallon tanks are odd-shaped tanks. They
> are too narrow, from front to back, for a tank that size. Pet
> stores push these tanks too much when they really should be a
> specialty tank for fish such as discus. However, when it comes to
> rock-dwelling fish such as many rift lake cichlids, you can make
> even a 55 gallon tank much more livable for the fish if you pile
> rocks high up the back. In essence, this greatly increases the
> amount of area available for cichlid territories. The fish will
> now define their territories not only by reference to the bottom of
> the tank, but also by reference to the surface area covered by
> rocks, which now includes the back of the tank.
>
> Of course though, with larger fish, say in excess of six inches, no
> amount of fiddling will really make a 55 gallon suitable. A larger
> tank is the only answer for such fish.
>
> Meph

[Jonathan Wood]

Mark,

> >>I recently bought a 75 gallon and moved my assorted Malawi into it from
> >>a 55. What a difference! I'm seeing hardly any chasing at all. And one
> >>pseudotropheus which had been off and on banished to the top of the
> >>tank, now cruises peacefully through the rocks and has her own hidey
hole.

Cool. I love bigger tanks, even though they are expensive and a hassle to
maintain.

> M. Cyaneorhabdos 1m, 5f
> Ps. socolofi 1m 2f
> Ps. lombardoi 1m ,2f
> E. Yellow lab 1m, 3f
> Red zebra 1m,2f
> Ps. acei yellow tail 1f
> 2 synodontis cats
> 1 pleco

Just curious: do you know of any good reference for being able to tell the
sex of fish. I'd like to know with some wild fish I have but haven't a clue.

Jonathan

[T]

In my expieriance the larger the tank, the more the environment stablizes.
Therefore easier for mysef to maintain... JMHO...

Tim


"Jonathan Wood" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> Mark,
>
> > >>I recently bought a 75 gallon and moved my assorted Malawi into it
from
> > >>a 55. What a difference! I'm seeing hardly any chasing at all. And one
> > >>pseudotropheus which had been off and on banished to the top of the
> > >>tank, now cruises peacefully through the rocks and has her own hidey
> hole.
>
> Cool. I love bigger tanks, even though they are expensive and a hassle to
> maintain.
>
> > M. Cyaneorhabdos 1m, 5f
> > Ps. socolofi 1m 2f
> > Ps. lombardoi 1m ,2f
> > E. Yellow lab 1m, 3f
> > Red zebra 1m,2f
> > Ps. acei yellow tail 1f
> > 2 synodontis cats
> > 1 pleco
>
> Just curious: do you know of any good reference for being able to tell the
> sex of fish. I'd like to know with some wild fish I have but haven't a
clue.
>
> Jonathan
>
>

[alex crouvier]

What bull****!! How can you fit all those in a 20-gallon??!!!

"Mark" > wrote in message
...
> High Flight wrote:
>
> > Mark > says...
> >
> >>I recently bought a 75 gallon and moved my assorted Malawi into it from
> >>a 55. What a difference! I'm seeing hardly any chasing at all. And one
> >>pseudotropheus which had been off and on banished to the top of the
> >>tank, now cruises peacefully through the rocks and has her own hidey
hole.
> >
> >
> > How many fish?
> >
> > Jack
> >
>
> M. Cyaneorhabdos 1m, 5f
> Ps. socolofi 1m 2f
> Ps. lombardoi 1m ,2f
> E. Yellow lab 1m, 3f
> Red zebra 1m,2f
> Ps. acei yellow tail 1f
> 2 synodontis cats
> 1 pleco
>
>
> Mark
>

[Amateur]

Ok alex,
I miss the point of your post. They're clearly stating in their message that
all those fish are in a 75 gallon tank originally come from a 55 gallon tank?
Was there supposed to be humor in your reply that I missed? Or did I miss
something where they state those fish are in a 20 gallon tank?
AmateurCichlids

"alex crouvier" > wrote in message
...
> What bull****!! How can you fit all those in a 20-gallon??!!!
>

[NetMax]

"The Madd Hatter" > wrote in message
t.cable.rogers.com...
<snip>
> I think another factor mightbe the fact that
> this tank is in a low traffic area as opposed to the other one in the
> kitchen.

I've observed marked changes in behaviour when fish are moved in or out
of high traffic areas. This is very evident with fishes which are
medium/large and very active (ie: characidae such as Piranhas, Silver
Dollars, Pacus and Tin Foil barbs, Monos etc), or are of a cautious
thoughtful nature (ie: Discus, Arowanas, Elephant nose etc). I think it
affects all fish, with an increasing intensity as they become larger,
more aware of their surroundings, or belong to more intelligent classes
of fish. Curiously, Goldfish (of any size) don't seem to be particularly
affected (in my limited experience, of course).

NetMax

[Mark]

alex crouvier wrote:
> What bull****!! How can you fit all those in a 20-gallon??!!!
>

I don't. A more careful perusal of my original post will reveal that I
moved the fish from a 55 gallon to a 75 gallon, which is a difference of
20 gallons, and hence the title of this thread.

Mark

[The Madd Hatter]

You Sir are an ignorant neanderthal. On top of that, you can't read worth a
damn. Pull your head out of your rectum, and re-read (slowly this time) what
the original poster has stated. If it still doesn't make sense, do us all a
favor and go away.

"alex crouvier" > wrote in message
...
> What bull****!! How can you fit all those in a 20-gallon??!!!
>
> "Mark" > wrote in message
> ...
> > High Flight wrote:
> >
> > > Mark > says...
> > >
> > >>I recently bought a 75 gallon and moved my assorted Malawi into it
from
> > >>a 55. What a difference! I'm seeing hardly any chasing at all. And one
> > >>pseudotropheus which had been off and on banished to the top of the
> > >>tank, now cruises peacefully through the rocks and has her own hidey
> hole.
> > >
> > >
> > > How many fish?
> > >
> > > Jack
> > >
> >
> > M. Cyaneorhabdos 1m, 5f
> > Ps. socolofi 1m 2f
> > Ps. lombardoi 1m ,2f
> > E. Yellow lab 1m, 3f
> > Red zebra 1m,2f
> > Ps. acei yellow tail 1f
> > 2 synodontis cats
> > 1 pleco
> >
> >
> > Mark
> >
>
>

[Jonathan Wood]

Tim,

> In my expieriance the larger the tank, the more the environment stablizes.
> Therefore easier for mysef to maintain... JMHO...

In many ways, I agree. A larger tank is taken over by water problems more
slowly. I was thinking of maintenance in terms of water changes, which I
believe are best done often. Water changes are the biggest pain about my 50G
tank. And are probably my biggest reservation about getting a larger tank.

Jonathan

[The Madd Hatter]

Actually, I find it easier to maintain the water in my larger tanks. Water
changes don't need to be done as often because the tank is more stable at
higher volumes. I can do 1 big water change a month on my 77 and 100 gallons
whereas the 35's have to be done maximum every 2 weeks. Its also easier to
aquascape a bigger tank because of the larger footprint and the water can be
buffered a lot easier because the larger volume allows for a larger degree
of inaccuracy.

"Jonathan Wood" > wrote in message
link.net...
> Tim,
>
> > In my expieriance the larger the tank, the more the environment
stablizes.
> > Therefore easier for mysef to maintain... JMHO...
>
> In many ways, I agree. A larger tank is taken over by water problems more
> slowly. I was thinking of maintenance in terms of water changes, which I
> believe are best done often. Water changes are the biggest pain about my
50G
> tank. And are probably my biggest reservation about getting a larger tank.
>
> Jonathan
>
>

[NetMax]

Just to add... you also don't need to match water temperatures as
accurately with larger tanks. Even though it should be the same, 20% of
a small tank or 20% of a large tank, the larger tank has many more pounds
of gravel & rockwork which acts as a thermal buffer. Along the same
lines, in large tanks, if the incoming water is too cold, the fish just
move to the other side. When I'd put ice cold well-water in my African
tank, the C.mooris would swim through the fresh water, while the
C.frontosas would prefer to wait in the background until I was finished.
Small tanks don't give fish that option.

IMO, large tanks are more work than a small tank, but the effort does not
go up linearly with size. A 100g might only be twice as much effort as a
25g, and when you get into larger tanks, everything tends to be better
designed (ie: filtration), so your actual effort might end up being the
same as with a smaller tank. Properly set up, a large tank can be made
to be far less effort than a smaller tank.

NetMax

"The Madd Hatter" > wrote in message
ble.rogers.com...
> Actually, I find it easier to maintain the water in my larger tanks.
Water
> changes don't need to be done as often because the tank is more stable
at
> higher volumes. I can do 1 big water change a month on my 77 and 100
gallons
> whereas the 35's have to be done maximum every 2 weeks. Its also easier
to
> aquascape a bigger tank because of the larger footprint and the water
can be
> buffered a lot easier because the larger volume allows for a larger
degree
> of inaccuracy.
>
> "Jonathan Wood" > wrote in message
> link.net...
> > Tim,
> >
> > > In my expieriance the larger the tank, the more the environment
> stablizes.
> > > Therefore easier for mysef to maintain... JMHO...
> >
> > In many ways, I agree. A larger tank is taken over by water problems
more
> > slowly. I was thinking of maintenance in terms of water changes,
which I
> > believe are best done often. Water changes are the biggest pain about
my
> 50G
> > tank. And are probably my biggest reservation about getting a larger
tank.
> >
> > Jonathan
> >
> >
>
>