Recommend me an aquarium (30 to 45gal)

wetWolger · 10/05/2014, 11:48 AM

I am looking for a new aquarium (getting back into the hobby after a long break). Unfortunately I have been struggling to find anything like what I want locally. So I likely will have to pay for shipping. I would like to stay under $400 with shipping included for the tank, but would consider more, if there was more value given.

Having a built in overflow is a MUST!

I would like the foot print to be around 24in x 24in. The height I am flexible, and somewhat undecided on. Nothing shorter than 12in high. And nothing higher than 24in (I think 24in might even be too high).

I noticed the deep blue 24x24x12in 30gal aquarium. It's interesting, but I struggle to find places that sell it online. It also the absolute shortest I would accept, so it would be really nice to find something closer to 18in high.

Any recommendations for tanks that kind of fit these values? Any recommendations on where to buy these tanks from?

apstreck · 10/05/2014, 04:35 PM

Why not just get a 40 breeder? I know it won't come with built in overflow, but honestly, you are better off without them. They take up space, and they disrupt the pattern of flow within the tank and create dead zones. A 40 breeder has really nice dimensions for a smaller tank.

Here's what I would do: Get a 40b from petco (their dollar per gallon sale is going on right now until the 11th). Then, either get an HOB overflow box, or preferably drill the tank; its really easy, and you get get kits online that include everything, even the drill bit. You can even get a kit that includes all the plumbing to go in and out of the tank. You can PM me if you need details but I don't think I'm allow to post the actual website on here.

Dduval · 10/05/2014, 05:18 PM

http://www.scaquariums.com/starfire-...4x20-10mm.html

wetWolger · 10/05/2014, 07:03 PM

Thanks for the recommendations apstreck,

I really like the 2 ft wide dimension (seems easier and cheaper to light). In addition I really like really wide tanks, I feel like they offer great aquascape options (I am not really a fan of the rock pile against the back glass style).

My favorite tank was probably my 120gal, because of the above statements. But I am looking for something cheaper to light than a 120gal this time.

tqpolo · 10/05/2014, 10:01 PM

Check out Inovation Marine tanks. I just got back in the hobby too and they are so easy to setup.

Mark426 · 10/06/2014, 06:00 AM

Mr. Aqua makes a 24x18x18

discocarp · 10/06/2014, 06:07 AM

If you liked the 120, a 60 cube is just half a 120 (24x24x24 instead of 48x24x24).

snorklr · 10/06/2014, 06:16 AM

fosters and smith has a 28 gal nano (22x22x18) under 4 with free shipping...built in lights and filtration and powerheads...JBJ brand...better lighting for an extra 3 bills

wetWolger · 10/06/2014, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by discocarp

If you liked the 120, a 60 cube is just half a 120 (24x24x24 instead of 48x24x24).

I would be interested in a 60 cube for sure. It seems a little on the tall side, but I would rather be 24in tall than 12in tall (like I said earlier 18in to 20in seems kinda ideal).

The issue is I have not seen where to get a reef ready 60 cube online. If you have any places to recommend buying tanks from, let me know.

wetWolger · 10/06/2014, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorklr

fosters and smith has a 28 gal nano (22x22x18) under 4 with free shipping...built in lights and filtration and powerheads...JBJ brand...better lighting for an extra 3 bills

I am unsure if I want an AIO or a sump right now. I was at first leaning towards an all in one tank, but I am thinking now I might end up feeling constrained by the limited flexibility of the system. The other thing is I like really clean looking tanks, and I worry with an AIO tank, I will have lots of things which are visible going over the back edge (power cables for things like skimmer, return pump, heater, thermal sensors, auto top off line, etc, etc)

discocarp · 10/06/2014, 07:59 AM

I think 45 cubes are the same footprint as the 60 cube but shorter (like 18" iirc).

whiteshark · 10/06/2014, 08:07 AM

DeepBlue makes a 24 x 24 x 12 shallow "cube" and does offer a built in overflow option. I got mine without the built in overflow, which I would recommend, and drilled the tank. I think it looks really sharp.

A sea K · 10/06/2014, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wetWolger

Having a built in overflow is a MUST!

I would like the foot print to be around 24in x 24in. The height I am flexible, and somewhat undecided on. Nothing shorter than 12in high. And nothing higher than 24in (I think 24in might even be too high).

I noticed the deep blue 24x24x12in 30gal aquarium. It's interesting, but I struggle to find places that sell it online. It also the absolute shortest I would accept, so it would be really nice to find something closer to 18in high.

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiteshark

DeepBlue makes a 24 x 24 x 12 shallow "cube" and does offer a built in overflow option. I got mine without the built in overflow, which I would recommend, and drilled the tank. I think it looks really sharp.

I have this tank with the built in overflow. I wanted to simplify things and downgraded from a 210.
I was a little worried about the 12" depth at first but must admit, I REALLY like this tank.

I don't know where "A Town" is but you should be able to get one at any half decent LFS. Even if you have to travel a little bit it will probably still be cheaper than shipping. Just hit the yellow pages, make a few calls and see what you can find.

cherubfish pair · 10/06/2014, 04:40 PM

I just got a 30 long IM and it's rimless and sharp. I had problems setting up a 50 gallon and sump with an overflow problem. Never had such a sharp little tank and it's still cycling so I'm excited. With the 50, the sump took up all the cabinet and I had no room for ato reservoir or kalk stirrer underneath. Now I'm looking at adding a zeovit reactor with all the room.

wetWolger · 10/06/2014, 05:59 PM

I did some searching, and I found this:
http://www.scaquariums.com/aquarium-...np-system.html

It seems a little pricy, but the tank is exactly what I want. On top of that it sounds like it comes with a good skimmer.

So hopefully I would just need some lights, and a vortech for circulation.

Do you guys think it is worth the price? The size is perfect!

Dduval · 10/06/2014, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wetWolger

I did some searching, and I found this:
http://www.scaquariums.com/aquarium-...np-system.html

It seems a little pricy, but the tank is exactly what I want. On top of that it sounds like it comes with a good skimmer.

So hopefully I would just need some lights, and a vortech for circulation.

Do you guys think it is worth the price? The size is perfect!

See my second post under your first post.

And yes, it's worth the price for what you are getting.

crn005 · 10/06/2014, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wetWolger

I did some searching, and I found this:
http://www.scaquariums.com/aquarium-...np-system.html

It seems a little pricy, but the tank is exactly what I want. On top of that it sounds like it comes with a good skimmer.

So hopefully I would just need some lights, and a vortech for circulation.

Do you guys think it is worth the price? The size is perfect!

That's a sharp looking setup. Was your budget $400 for just the tank or the whole system? Considering that comes with a lot of extra equipment, that's not too bad.

wetWolger · 10/06/2014, 07:25 PM

For the equiptment provided, my budget was close to $600 (skimmer, stand, sump and return pump).

So it is a bit more than my budget, but at the same time it seems like a really nice setup. I read good things about the skimmer as well.

crn005 · 10/10/2014, 11:45 PM

I'd probably pull the trigger on it. It's a very sharp looking system. I can't wait until I get there one day!

10/05/2014, 11:48 AM	#1
wetWolger Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,955	Recommend me an aquarium (30 to 45gal) I am looking for a new aquarium (getting back into the hobby after a long break). Unfortunately I have been struggling to find anything like what I want locally. So I likely will have to pay for shipping. I would like to stay under $400 with shipping included for the tank, but would consider more, if there was more value given. Having a built in overflow is a MUST! I would like the foot print to be around 24in x 24in. The height I am flexible, and somewhat undecided on. Nothing shorter than 12in high. And nothing higher than 24in (I think 24in might even be too high). I noticed the deep blue 24x24x12in 30gal aquarium. It's interesting, but I struggle to find places that sell it online. It also the absolute shortest I would accept, so it would be really nice to find something closer to 18in high. Any recommendations for tanks that kind of fit these values? Any recommendations on where to buy these tanks from? __________________ cheers, jent d-_-b Current Tank Info: 66gal = 32x24x20

10/05/2014, 07:03 PM	#4
wetWolger Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,955	Thanks for the recommendations apstreck, I really like the 2 ft wide dimension (seems easier and cheaper to light). In addition I really like really wide tanks, I feel like they offer great aquascape options (I am not really a fan of the rock pile against the back glass style). My favorite tank was probably my 120gal, because of the above statements. But I am looking for something cheaper to light than a 120gal this time. __________________ cheers, jent d-_-b Current Tank Info: 66gal = 32x24x20

10/06/2014, 08:07 AM	#12
whiteshark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 3,024	DeepBlue makes a 24 x 24 x 12 shallow "cube" and does offer a built in overflow option. I got mine without the built in overflow, which I would recommend, and drilled the tank. I think it looks really sharp. __________________ Deep Blue 60 gallon cube: Setup in progress.

10/06/2014, 04:40 PM	#14
cherubfish pair Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Libby, Montana Posts: 7,061 Blog Entries: 1	I just got a 30 long IM and it's rimless and sharp. I had problems setting up a 50 gallon and sump with an overflow problem. Never had such a sharp little tank and it's still cycling so I'm excited. With the 50, the sump took up all the cabinet and I had no room for ato reservoir or kalk stirrer underneath. Now I'm looking at adding a zeovit reactor with all the room. __________________ pairo chero Thanks for looking at my build thread and subscribe to it if you already haven't yet! Current Tank Info: thirty rimless

10/06/2014, 05:59 PM	#15
wetWolger Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,955	I did some searching, and I found this: http://www.scaquariums.com/aquarium-...np-system.html It seems a little pricy, but the tank is exactly what I want. On top of that it sounds like it comes with a good skimmer. So hopefully I would just need some lights, and a vortech for circulation. Do you guys think it is worth the price? The size is perfect! __________________ cheers, jent d-_-b Current Tank Info: 66gal = 32x24x20

10/05/2014, 04:35 PM	#2
apstreck Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 173	Why not just get a 40 breeder? I know it won't come with built in overflow, but honestly, you are better off without them. They take up space, and they disrupt the pattern of flow within the tank and create dead zones. A 40 breeder has really nice dimensions for a smaller tank. Here's what I would do: Get a 40b from petco (their dollar per gallon sale is going on right now until the 11th). Then, either get an HOB overflow box, or preferably drill the tank; its really easy, and you get get kits online that include everything, even the drill bit. You can even get a kit that includes all the plumbing to go in and out of the tank. You can PM me if you need details but I don't think I'm allow to post the actual website on here.

10/05/2014, 05:18 PM	#3
Dduval Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 7	http://www.scaquariums.com/starfire-...4x20-10mm.html

10/05/2014, 10:01 PM	#5
tqpolo Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 372	Check out Inovation Marine tanks. I just got back in the hobby too and they are so easy to setup.

10/06/2014, 06:00 AM	#6
Mark426 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,479	Mr. Aqua makes a 24x18x18

10/06/2014, 06:07 AM	#7
discocarp Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 2,707	If you liked the 120, a 60 cube is just half a 120 (24x24x24 instead of 48x24x24).

10/06/2014, 06:16 AM	#8
snorklr Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: lynbrook ny Posts: 113	fosters and smith has a 28 gal nano (22x22x18) under 4 with free shipping...built in lights and filtration and powerheads...JBJ brand...better lighting for an extra 3 bills

10/06/2014, 07:59 AM	#11
discocarp Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 2,707	I think 45 cubes are the same footprint as the 60 cube but shorter (like 18" iirc).

10/06/2014, 07:25 PM	#18
wetWolger Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,955	For the equiptment provided, my budget was close to $600 (skimmer, stand, sump and return pump). So it is a bit more than my budget, but at the same time it seems like a really nice setup. I read good things about the skimmer as well. __________________ cheers, jent d-_-b Current Tank Info: 66gal = 32x24x20

10/10/2014, 11:45 PM	#19
crn005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 744	I'd probably pull the trigger on it. It's a very sharp looking system. I can't wait until I get there one day!