Opinions on 54 gallon corner tanks

kipper97 · 09/30/2007, 01:36 PM

I am looking at setting up a 54 gallon corner. Due to space in my living room I don't want to go much bigger was looking for some opinions/advice on these. My plans for the tank are still up in the air and I am still trying to figure out what I wanna do such as FOWLR or reef.

millepora · 09/30/2007, 03:08 PM

Well it is akward size for lighting, so I would go with on 175w Mh

Aadler · 09/30/2007, 03:17 PM

There are many great examples or 54 corner reefs. I would decide on a budget first to decide on reef or fowlr, as reef skyrockets your costs in filtration and lighting.

Fish you have a pretty good selection just staying away from tangs and larger angels is really the only limitation.

You will prolly want a sump below your tank as well to house a skimmer and heating.

before you get specific suggestions i would decide your budget and plan on an extra $500 ish for a reef tank just to get started.

To Reef Central

kipper97 · 09/30/2007, 04:50 PM

Thanks. I currently have a 29 gallon sw tank w/out a sump that I have had going for 3 years now. I already have a skimmer and when I bought that I planned ahead on upgrading and bought a bigger one than needed for a 29 gallon. So I already have some live rock, so at least I won't be starting from scratch. I plan on including a sump. At this point I am thinking reef.

Are there any negatives as a comparison to the usual rectanglular shaped aquarium? I have noticed lighting is a little more difficult.

Aadler · 09/30/2007, 05:15 PM

If you can just look at a bowfront aquarium and move side to side, you may or may not like the distortion that you get, it can be frustrating getting good pictures of individual things in the tank as well. Other than that i dont see any problems. Just get two Metal halide lights and light is not a problem.

I have a 72g bowfront and a 7g bowfront. I love both. i also have a 40g hex, come to think of it the only square saltwater tank i own is my QT and a 40g breeder refugium heh

. My opinion may be biased.

terrymason · 10/01/2007, 12:55 PM

I've got a 54 corner, and it's nice. The only things that I can say negative is that it doesn't allow for a large sump at all. I have a custom made one that gives me 5-10 gallons max. It's also too small for large lights. I think I have a 24" light strip.

kysard1 · 10/01/2007, 04:06 PM

Isn't it awkward and time consuming cleaning algae off the front glass?

09/30/2007, 01:36 PM	#1
kipper97 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 2	Opinions on 54 gallon corner tanks I am looking at setting up a 54 gallon corner. Due to space in my living room I don't want to go much bigger was looking for some opinions/advice on these. My plans for the tank are still up in the air and I am still trying to figure out what I wanna do such as FOWLR or reef.

09/30/2007, 03:17 PM	#3
Aadler Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,336	There are many great examples or 54 corner reefs. I would decide on a budget first to decide on reef or fowlr, as reef skyrockets your costs in filtration and lighting. Fish you have a pretty good selection just staying away from tangs and larger angels is really the only limitation. You will prolly want a sump below your tank as well to house a skimmer and heating. before you get specific suggestions i would decide your budget and plan on an extra $500 ish for a reef tank just to get started. *To Reef Central* __________________ MiniBow 7 - WooHoo

09/30/2007, 05:15 PM	#5
Aadler Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,336	If you can just look at a bowfront aquarium and move side to side, you may or may not like the distortion that you get, it can be frustrating getting good pictures of individual things in the tank as well. Other than that i dont see any problems. Just get two Metal halide lights and light is not a problem. I have a 72g bowfront and a 7g bowfront. I love both. i also have a 40g hex, come to think of it the only square saltwater tank i own is my QT and a 40g breeder refugium heh . My opinion may be biased. __________________ MiniBow 7 - WooHoo

10/01/2007, 12:55 PM	#6
terrymason Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 54	I've got a 54 corner, and it's nice. The only things that I can say negative is that it doesn't allow for a large sump at all. I have a custom made one that gives me 5-10 gallons max. It's also too small for large lights. I think I have a 24" light strip. __________________ Terry http://www.drunkencrab.com Current Tank Info: 54 gallon corner

09/30/2007, 03:08 PM	#2
millepora Moved On Join Date: May 2007 Location: White Oak, NC Posts: 40	Well it is akward size for lighting, so I would go with on 175w Mh

09/30/2007, 04:50 PM	#4
kipper97 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 2	Thanks. I currently have a 29 gallon sw tank w/out a sump that I have had going for 3 years now. I already have a skimmer and when I bought that I planned ahead on upgrading and bought a bigger one than needed for a 29 gallon. So I already have some live rock, so at least I won't be starting from scratch. I plan on including a sump. At this point I am thinking reef. Are there any negatives as a comparison to the usual rectanglular shaped aquarium? I have noticed lighting is a little more difficult.

10/01/2007, 04:06 PM	#7
kysard1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SE PA Posts: 827	Isn't it awkward and time consuming cleaning algae off the front glass?