I'm pretty new, but I can suggest a tank size...

piscivorous · 03/03/2010, 10:45 PM

I am still setting up my 55, but for anyone who is new to the hobby and considering purchasing a tank...I would not do anything less than a 75 gallon. I don't know how the nano guys do it. My 55 is a pain with space constraints under the stand. The stand is not deep enough to be able to move around much at all with all of the equipment. I would also get a drilled tank so I could sleep better at night...I am not a big fan of the hang-on-back overflows. But more than anything, I would kill for more working room under the stand....at least with a 75 you would have some more depth to the stand. If I were to do it all over....I would start off with a 120 tank...I love the dimensions.....then I would upgrade to a 180 or a 220...best dimensions yet.....

philneuss · 03/04/2010, 12:06 AM

Agreed, 55s dont give you many options for aquascaping.

lowlt · 03/04/2010, 12:54 AM

Can't agree more. My future plan was to go to a 90 but like you said the 120 gives you the 2 feet depth. When you look down the side of the tank its like look at the front of a smaller tank. Perfect for right next to my couch. lol

reeftanknewbie · 03/04/2010, 03:20 AM

My thoughts are to keep in mine upgrading so as to divert cost. Another words, if you are planning someday to have a 220 but are thinking of starting with a 120, either split the difference and stay there or save your money and wait until you get what you really want. Money is often wasted when people constantly upgrade as equipment may be too small for the new tank, etc... I speak from experience.

kimber45 · 03/04/2010, 07:14 AM

stands are all to small underneath, believe me. the bigger the display, the bigger the sump and equipment. it's like murphy's law or something. :P

but i agree about the 55. i had one for many years and the small depth of the tank stinks.

but i dont agree on the 75+ statement. 40/50 breeders have fantastic dimensions.

tibob32 · 03/04/2010, 07:50 AM

If I were to do it again, I'd go straight to 180g

GatorEngineer · 03/04/2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimber45

but i dont agree on the 75+ statement. 40/50 breeders have fantastic dimensions.

agreed. 50 gallons are very nice.

MisterTickle · 03/04/2010, 07:57 AM

My first tank is a 29 gallon nano reef, Its gonna be great but I wish I had like a 75 (which i hope to get when I move in a few months) and have that numu numu trigger fish and a tang and **** like that, Maybe even 100gal+

This hobby is addicting, Let me tell ya.

Good luck.

piscivorous · 03/04/2010, 08:05 AM

trigger fish and a tang? You'll want something significantly larger than a 75....

SecGenGSX · 03/04/2010, 08:10 AM

I couldn't agree more about the depth (or lack of) of a 55. I am in the process of getting a 50 breeder (36x18x19) up and running and I am happy with the dimensions of it. I am limited on space where the tank is going and that is why I decided to go with it, plus I got a really good deal on it.

I am also starting to like the deep dimension aquariums (36" wide) and wish I had the room for one. The 250 (60x36x27) is a really nice size with a lot of possibilities.

hugecoltsfan · 03/04/2010, 08:14 AM

Stupid Question but What is the depth of a 55? I have a 65 with a depth of 18" and it works great.

kimber45 · 03/04/2010, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugecoltsfan

Stupid Question but What is the depth of a 55? I have a 65 with a depth of 18" and it works great.

55 is 48x13x20. so you end up with a rock wall.

MisterTickle · 03/04/2010, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piscivorous

trigger fish and a tang? You'll want something significantly larger than a 75....

Well thats what LiveAquaria was telling me but my bad... Just what I heard and everyone seems to have different opinions these days.

Trigger Fish - "It needs a 70 gallon or larger aquarium with rocks and caves. It will rearrange the landscaping and rocks. It vocalizes with a "grunting" sound." - http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...240&pcatid=240

Blue Tang - http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...330&pcatid=330

I'm fairly new though.

kimber45 · 03/04/2010, 08:28 AM

maybe when they are small but the problem is they don't stay small.

oh and one word of advice, don't always believe what the people selling the fish are telling you. they are in the business to sell fish not give accurate advice.

travis32 · 03/04/2010, 08:46 AM

The space I had for the tank, 55g is the largest I could get. If I get a different house some day, I will figure into the house budget a few thousand for a mcuh larger tank and find the perfect spot for it like in a wall or something like that. But, for the space I've got for it. The dimensions of the 55 were prefect. I ended up putting the sump behind the tank. It's completely invisible to the "public" view. (tank is surrounded on 3 sides).

I can guess your next question.... How do I get to the sump?? heh. through the stand. So far it works find. I have the stand inside nearly empty, just have my top off water in there and the power strip.. That's about it.

I agree that a deeper tank would be nice, just for rock scaping. Right now I feel like my rock could fall anytime because of how I had to stack it. As far as stand sizes though, I agree that all the equipment would increase in size as the tank sizes increases...

03/03/2010, 10:45 PM	#1
piscivorous Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Groton, N.Y. Posts: 801	I'm pretty new, but I can suggest a tank size... I am still setting up my 55, but for anyone who is new to the hobby and considering purchasing a tank...I would not do anything less than a 75 gallon. I don't know how the nano guys do it. My 55 is a pain with space constraints under the stand. The stand is not deep enough to be able to move around much at all with all of the equipment. I would also get a drilled tank so I could sleep better at night...I am not a big fan of the hang-on-back overflows. But more than anything, I would kill for more working room under the stand....at least with a 75 you would have some more depth to the stand. If I were to do it all over....I would start off with a 120 tank...I love the dimensions.....then I would upgrade to a 180 or a 220...best dimensions yet.....

03/04/2010, 12:06 AM	#2
philneuss Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 59	Agreed, 55s dont give you many options for aquascaping. __________________ 75 gal mixed reef, 20 gal sump/fuge, 6x54 watt T-5 lighting, Octopus NW150 skimmer

03/04/2010, 03:20 AM	#4
reeftanknewbie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Effort PA Posts: 1,067	My thoughts are to keep in mine upgrading so as to divert cost. Another words, if you are planning someday to have a 220 but are thinking of starting with a 120, either split the difference and stay there or save your money and wait until you get what you really want. Money is often wasted when people constantly upgrade as equipment may be too small for the new tank, etc... I speak from experience. __________________ 80 gallon Blue Line rimless tank, 40 gallon breeder sump, DIY ATS, SWC 160 cone skimmer, ocean revive LED. Current Tank Info: 80 gallon blue line rimless tank

03/04/2010, 12:54 AM	#3
lowlt Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 64	Can't agree more. My future plan was to go to a 90 but like you said the 120 gives you the 2 feet depth. When you look down the side of the tank its like look at the front of a smaller tank. Perfect for right next to my couch. lol

03/04/2010, 07:14 AM	#5
kimber45 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: michigan Posts: 455	stands are all to small underneath, believe me. the bigger the display, the bigger the sump and equipment. it's like murphy's law or something. :P but i agree about the 55. i had one for many years and the small depth of the tank stinks. but i dont agree on the 75+ statement. 40/50 breeders have fantastic dimensions.

03/04/2010, 07:50 AM	#6
tibob32 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 550	If I were to do it again, I'd go straight to 180g

03/04/2010, 07:57 AM	#8
MisterTickle Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 9	My first tank is a 29 gallon nano reef, Its gonna be great but I wish I had like a 75 (which i hope to get when I move in a few months) and have that numu numu trigger fish and a tang and **** like that, Maybe even 100gal+ This hobby is addicting, Let me tell ya. Good luck.

03/04/2010, 08:05 AM	#9
piscivorous Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Groton, N.Y. Posts: 801	trigger fish and a tang? You'll want something significantly larger than a 75....

03/04/2010, 08:10 AM	#10
SecGenGSX Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Murrysville, PA Posts: 156	I couldn't agree more about the depth (or lack of) of a 55. I am in the process of getting a 50 breeder (36x18x19) up and running and I am happy with the dimensions of it. I am limited on space where the tank is going and that is why I decided to go with it, plus I got a really good deal on it. I am also starting to like the deep dimension aquariums (36" wide) and wish I had the room for one. The 250 (60x36x27) is a really nice size with a lot of possibilities.

03/04/2010, 08:14 AM	#11
hugecoltsfan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 91	Stupid Question but What is the depth of a 55? I have a 65 with a depth of 18" and it works great.

03/04/2010, 08:28 AM	#14
kimber45 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: michigan Posts: 455	maybe when they are small but the problem is they don't stay small. oh and one word of advice, don't always believe what the people selling the fish are telling you. they are in the business to sell fish not give accurate advice.

03/04/2010, 08:46 AM	#15
travis32 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: West Fargo, ND Posts: 2,161	The space I had for the tank, 55g is the largest I could get. If I get a different house some day, I will figure into the house budget a few thousand for a mcuh larger tank and find the perfect spot for it like in a wall or something like that. But, for the space I've got for it. The dimensions of the 55 were prefect. I ended up putting the sump behind the tank. It's completely invisible to the "public" view. (tank is surrounded on 3 sides). I can guess your next question.... How do I get to the sump?? heh. through the stand. So far it works find. I have the stand inside nearly empty, just have my top off water in there and the power strip.. That's about it. I agree that a deeper tank would be nice, just for rock scaping. Right now I feel like my rock could fall anytime because of how I had to stack it. As far as stand sizes though, I agree that all the equipment would increase in size as the tank sizes increases...