What would you do?

Mythicalelf · 03/09/2015, 02:01 PM

OK I'll give you a quick background then on to help.
I've had @5-10 SW tanks over the past 15 years, anywhere from 29 gal to @150< I can't remember this one. I've even had multiple ones running at the same time. My thing is reefing. I have had a few corals in a couple in the past but nothing that would be considered reef worthy,lol.

Right now I have a 29 Biocube cycling that will be a reef tank. I've been preparing by reading and studying others so I hope it will be successful.

Ok on to the point of this thread

I have a 55 gal collecting dust in my storage building.
I was thinking of either getting it out and setting it up or either setting up a larger one. i don't really like the depth of the 55. i can't remember what it si off hand but it seems skinny. The only thing this would need to be running is:
I need to redo baffles in sump
Needs return pump
I'm gonna repaint stand canopy< I bought used and it looks rough

If I chose to go big What is a size that is big but won't break the bank too bad? I love seeing the Large Tanks

For reef would shallow be better than deep?

I've also thought of going with a 40b setup over the 55.

This is just the beginning of my brainstorming.
I threw the idea of setting up the 55 to my wife and I didn't get and resistance, which was nice cause I have a Chiclid tank up and a SW tank cycling so I'm at 2 already.

reefgeezer · 03/09/2015, 02:13 PM

In the same size range as your 55, I'd rather have a 40 breeder or a 75. The additional width works better for aquascaping. Both limit the fish you should keep.

I have a 75, but I'll go to a 6' tank if I ever do another. A 100 gallon is 18" high and 18" wide. If you want multiple big Angels or Tangs, a 180 is 24" high and 24" deep.

cleverbs · 03/09/2015, 02:14 PM

Id go with a 40g over a 55g. I really dont like a 55g. You could go to a 75g and not break the bank to bad. However if it was me. I would get a 30x30x20 rimless cube or something along those lines. I just set up my 24x24x12 rimless frag tank and I love the way it looks I am even thinking of making it a mini reef instead of a frag tank lol.

I have a 220g SPS tank and without the coral it has already broke the bank...to the point I have to wait a while to stock up on corals.

If I could do it again I would build large cube tank.

Mythicalelf · 03/09/2015, 04:32 PM

Thanks for the responses.
I think I have narrowed down my options.
I think I'm either going with the 40B or a larger cube.
Now I just have to convince my wife it's a good idea,lol.

JoelA7 · 03/10/2015, 01:49 AM

You really want 18" or more width and 24" is much better. For a smaller less expensive size a 65g is good. 3x1.5x2' high. Lots of folks myself included get 4x2x2' which is about 120g. Big cost difference. To keep larger and more active fish you really need 6' long.

SNAKEMANVET · 03/10/2015, 04:50 AM

I Agree with these guys,I would go with a 180.they are a great size with the length and depth.I am ordering mine next week.

pyithar · 03/10/2015, 06:10 AM

for more fish options, i would go with 84*24*24. that'll be my next tank.

Mythicalelf · 03/10/2015, 08:27 AM

Thanks for the advice.
The larger tank will definitely open up more fish options.

03/09/2015, 02:01 PM	#1
Mythicalelf Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: USA Posts: 315	What would you do? OK I'll give you a quick background then on to help. I've had @5-10 SW tanks over the past 15 years, anywhere from 29 gal to @150< I can't remember this one. I've even had multiple ones running at the same time. My thing is reefing. I have had a few corals in a couple in the past but nothing that would be considered reef worthy,lol. Right now I have a 29 Biocube cycling that will be a reef tank. I've been preparing by reading and studying others so I hope it will be successful. Ok on to the point of this thread I have a 55 gal collecting dust in my storage building. I was thinking of either getting it out and setting it up or either setting up a larger one. i don't really like the depth of the 55. i can't remember what it si off hand but it seems skinny. The only thing this would need to be running is: I need to redo baffles in sump Needs return pump I'm gonna repaint stand canopy< I bought used and it looks rough If I chose to go big What is a size that is big but won't break the bank too bad? I love seeing the Large Tanks For reef would shallow be better than deep? I've also thought of going with a 40b setup over the 55. This is just the beginning of my brainstorming. I threw the idea of setting up the 55 to my wife and I didn't get and resistance, which was nice cause I have a Chiclid tank up and a SW tank cycling so I'm at 2 already.

03/09/2015, 02:13 PM	#2
reefgeezer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 2,621	In the same size range as your 55, I'd rather have a 40 breeder or a 75. The additional width works better for aquascaping. Both limit the fish you should keep. I have a 75, but I'll go to a 6' tank if I ever do another. A 100 gallon is 18" high and 18" wide. If you want multiple big Angels or Tangs, a 180 is 24" high and 24" deep. __________________ John, Current Tank Info: In-process, 90 Gallon SPS Reef

03/10/2015, 01:49 AM	#5
JoelA7 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,056	You really want 18" or more width and 24" is much better. For a smaller less expensive size a 65g is good. 3x1.5x2' high. Lots of folks myself included get 4x2x2' which is about 120g. Big cost difference. To keep larger and more active fish you really need 6' long. __________________ New 48x24x26.25 w Precision Marine R30 sump, Vertex Omega 150 skimmer, 2@Vertex 1.5L reactors for carbon & phosban, GEO Ca reactor w Aquarium Plants regulator. 2 MP40's 2@Radions. #120 live rock & #12

03/10/2015, 06:10 AM	#7
pyithar Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: yangon,burma(myanmar) Posts: 1,786	for more fish options, i would go with 842424. that'll be my next tank. __________________ take it easy, pyithar Current Tank Info: 150G display, 50G sump, mixed reef

03/09/2015, 02:14 PM	#3
cleverbs Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nebraska Posts: 1,041	Id go with a 40g over a 55g. I really dont like a 55g. You could go to a 75g and not break the bank to bad. However if it was me. I would get a 30x30x20 rimless cube or something along those lines. I just set up my 24x24x12 rimless frag tank and I love the way it looks I am even thinking of making it a mini reef instead of a frag tank lol. I have a 220g SPS tank and without the coral it has already broke the bank...to the point I have to wait a while to stock up on corals. If I could do it again I would build large cube tank.

03/09/2015, 04:32 PM	#4
Mythicalelf Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: USA Posts: 315	Thanks for the responses. I think I have narrowed down my options. I think I'm either going with the 40B or a larger cube. Now I just have to convince my wife it's a good idea,lol.

03/10/2015, 04:50 AM	#6
SNAKEMANVET PREMIUM MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: TRENTON Tn Posts: 4,486	I Agree with these guys,I would go with a 180.they are a great size with the length and depth.I am ordering mine next week.

03/10/2015, 08:27 AM	#8
Mythicalelf Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: USA Posts: 315	Thanks for the advice. The larger tank will definitely open up more fish options.