Want a bigger tank

Hey guys, it's been a while. The family has moved into a bigger house but my poor lonely fish are still back at the other house (cause we haven't sold it yet).
I'm dreading moving them but I also think maybe this is the perfect opportunity to get a bigger tank. I'm looking at a 72x18x24. Currently the fish are in a 48x18x24. Just want to ask, would I be better off with 72x24x24 or does the width really matter? Financially, I can clearly say that 18 wide is way cheaper.

My thoughts are to set up the tank, move one filter down for a day or two in order to get some bacteria started in the tank. Then, I'd move the fish down, drain the old tank and move it and install my 2nd filter. I'm considering either making the old tank into a 90 gal salt water tank or a 90 gal tang tank. Decisions, decisions...

Anything I need to be wary of with this plan?
Thanks
Graham

Hey Graham, glad you were able to find us!

If the 18" wide is a lot cheaper, I don't see any reason not to go with that one. I would say the bigger, the better, but two extra feet in length sounds like a good upgrade for your current fish. You aren't wanting to try any monster-size fish later?

Your moving plan sounds good as well. Just make sure you don't move the first filter more than a day or two early so the bacteria don't start to die off without anything to feed on. I don't know how long they last, so I wouldn't want to take any chances.

Good luck selling your house and congrats on the bigger place.

The bigger the footprint the better, the height of the tank doesn't need to be more than 18 inches,,,but that's hard to find!
I'm thinking that the 18 inches (wide) tank should be OK but if you go with a Malawi Predator tank then 24 inches wide is the way to go,,,those beasts will need the width and extra space!

Cheers,Larry

Guess I should change this to "got a bigger tank". Bought a 125 gal (72x21x18). Moved the fish down but had one fatality. I think it happened during a territory battle. It was one that I had gotten from Larry a few years ago. Can't remember the species. Zebra type. There's only 11 fish in the tank so I think I need to get a few more.
Still need to get the other tank to the new house. Might make it a tang tank or just a planted amazon.

Hey Graham if you need some fish to fill up that tank I had a Wild order come in about a month ago, still a good assortment!

Cheers,Larry