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Time for an upgrade-Question about flow rate/gph

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:19 am
by sevenyearnight
Balki, one of my gsp's, will be getting a tank a upgrade, but I am unsure what size. He is about 2.5" and is currently in a 29 gallon FOWLR.
It's between a 40 breeder or a standard 55, and even though the 55 seems better because it's larger, I like the footprint of the 40 breeder better. The 55 is kind of narrow, where the 40 breeder has more depth, but less length. I'm thinking that the 55 might be too narrow for him as an adult, and he might have an easier time maneuvering his blimpish body in the 40 breeder.
Let me know what you guys think.
Thanks :D
*Edit*
With his new tank being 40 x 20 x 16, would 750-800 gph circulation pump
Blow him out of the tank?

Re: Time for an upgrade

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 8:54 am
by jmiller
Definitely the 40 breeder.

Re: Time for an upgrade

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:04 am
by PolishPuff
I would go with 40 gal breeder ( and I'm not saying this because I got three of them for sale 8) )

Re: Time for an upgrade

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:23 am
by sevenyearnight
Lol, I'm not near Chicago anyway.
Thanks for the input guys. :)

Re: Time for an upgrade

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:22 am
by Pufferpunk
I'm going to disagree here. A 6-7" fish should have plenty of room to turn in a 12" wide tank & would appreciate the length for swimming room & also the extra 15g.

Re: Time for an upgrade

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:26 am
by PolishPuff
Pufferpunk wrote:I'm going to disagree here. A 6-7" fish should have plenty of room to turn in a 12" wide tank & would appreciate the length for swimming room & also the extra 15g.

Hmmmmm. I always read on here the bigger foot print the better.

Re: Time for an upgrade

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:28 am
by jus85411
say screw it and get a 75 :metal: then you can get some nice looking fish as cleaners if you have more of a passive GSP

Re: Time for an upgrade

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:30 am
by PolishPuff
jus85411 wrote:say screw it and get a 75 :metal: then you can get some nice looking fish as cleaners if you have more of a passive GSP

YEAH 75 gal really would be perfect :D

Re: Time for an upgrade

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:31 am
by Pufferpunk
That's the longer the footprint.

Re: Time for an upgrade

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:36 am
by PolishPuff
Well, I think that 40gal breeder has bigger foot print then 55gal :D

Re: Time for an upgrade

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:27 pm
by sevenyearnight
The 40 does have a larger foot print, but, it is not longer, it's an entire foot shorter.
A 55 gallon also a little easier to get light fixtures and replacement bulbs.
I can't get a 75 gallon for many reasons. :-(

Re: Time for an upgrade

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 1:45 pm
by RTR
Fish need exercise, just like dogs and cats and people and horses. Exercise for fish means length - but also that they must be able to turn around easily, which an adult GSP can do in a 55. The extra length and extra water are both heavy factors on the 55's being first choice for these fish. So I'll give a strong +1 to PP' suggestion. But the tank should have good current as well. There are too many fat GSPs in this hobby.

Re: Time for an upgrade

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 2:04 pm
by sevenyearnight
Thank you very much for the advice. I have power heads to provide current, and I change the directions every once in a while.
As far as Balki's temperament, he's beyond passive, he's a scardy cat. Pig Pig is a jerk jerk and I wouldn't trust him with any tank mates, but with Balki I'd be lucky to find a fish he wasn't afraid of. But when that time comes, I'll carefully watch so if they don't work, I can put the fish back into quarantine. I don't want to stress Balki out.

Re: Time for an upgrade

Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:43 am
by sevenyearnight
I've made room for a 55 gallon, and have set up a "liverock quarantine". I said it before, but I wish I had found this site earlier because I would have strongly preferred having his permanent home ready for him when I got him, instead of having to transfer him now. But I am glad that I know what I know now at least.
I can't wait to see him exploring his new "Mypos" when I get it all set up. :)

Re: Time for an upgrade

Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:32 pm
by FADE2BLACK_1973
55 gal. it is :D . I was lurking on the thread but never said anything. 55 gal. would had been my 1st choice anyways.