I don't hate mine but I don't really like it all that much either. Probably the least favorite of my current tanks. I got it basically for free if I'd move it and it happened to fit perfectly where I wanted to put it so worked in that respect at the time. If I were to do it again, I probably wouldn't. Kind of a pain to do anything at the bottom. I had a real nice full 'carpet' of S. repens going for a long time up until my Bolivian rams started mating and destroyed it all digging pits for the eggs and fry. On the positive side it does look and work like a much larger tank than a 29 in the same footprint.

 

Funny I never thought of the cleaning/aquascaping aspect at the depth, its a good point. I wish I had room to go wider but the optimal spot for the tank only accommodates 30-32 inches.

 

If you're going for as much tank as you can fit into a ~30" space, then that's kind of it for standard dimension tanks. Big difference in apparent size vs a 29. The latter seems relatively small compared to it. But overall it's better as a fish tank than a planted tank I think. I have a huge piece of driftwood that pretty much fills mine with plants and moss all over it. Some crypts at the bottom. Real tall crypt spiralis behind as a background.

Personally, I think I'd rather have a smaller nicer long, low rimless tank in the same space. But depends on what you want.

 

Personally, I think I'd rather have a smaller nicer long, low rimless tank in the same space. But depends on what you want.

All fun and games until you're cat decides to try for some snacks!

I've had a 29 in the past I enjoyed it, however your comment about the 37 is spot on, it's optically a much bigger looking tank. You have any pictures of your setup with the piece of driftwood? I was thinking of doing something similar with hardscaping up and creating levels to bring some of the plants with higher light requirements closer to the source. One of the challenges I'm finding is what light would work best on a 37 to make sure I get adequate penetration all the way to soil level. Seems there's not many using a 37 for real life advise on what works and what doesn't.

 

I think I'll work on sketching out what I'd like the tank to look like and what plants would be where to try and see if I could get the look I want with whats available in lighting.

Bump: I think I'll work on sketching out what I'd like the tank to look like and what plants would be where to try and see if I could get the look I want with whats available in lighting.

 

I run a 37gal and love it. The vertical space is good for stem plants. With enough light you can grow a carpet. I have a journal which may or may not help you. You can definitely learn what not to do from it. Hahaha

 

My 37 after pulling out about a bushel of pennywort so you could see anything in it.

Pictures don't really show what a massive hunk of wood that is. Basically spans the entire back of the tank in both directions so probably ~26" x 22". Hollow through both ends which I thought would be kinda cool for fish to cruise through and hang out in but other than maybe the corys stumbling in a few times don't think I've ever actually seen any go in it. /facepalm

And just one pitiful little patch of S. repens left. I was so happy with how thick and full if was. They completely wrecked it in about a week. lol Didn't expect that. But I guess they're cichlids so...