30 Gallon breeder questions

[NickC5FE]

Hi everybody! I had to sell my big setup (90 gallon) due to my impending move to Texas from California. I am looking at setting up a 30 gallon breeder with a 20 gallon sump and running a beananimal/coast to coast setup. I will be living in a smaller house and this seems the best size for me. I want to go with the long shallow reef look. Anybody out there have any 30 gallon breeders that they have set up and are proud of!?!

Also, i was looking at running an ATI 6 lamp fixture but am worried it will be too much light. I will only be stocking with smaller fish, a pair of clowns/RBTA and some SPS. Let me know guys/gals! Thanks! Nick

 

[James77]

Either a 6 lamp or 4 lamp ATI would work. The 6 lamp could be too much if you ran all high PAR/intense bulbs, but it would also give you the ability to tweak color more like throw a couple actinics in there. If the coral are minimal and you aren't too picky with color, I would go 4 bulbs, you sill save bucks on electric and bulbs.

 

[uncleof6]

Way out of line, however, I would consider a 50 breeder, same footprint, and does not violate the old 40 gal minimum for a marine system.

 

[greech]

I have a 40B and have seen a few 30B setups. I like all the breeders but the 30 is almost too shallow for me. I think a 4 bulb will be plenty but a 6 would add color options and you could mix in some lower par bulbs to gain color as mentioned. The 6 bulb also could be mounted a little higher and allow for some nice top-down viewing .

 

[NickC5FE]

What is "the old 40 gallon minimum" thing- sounds crazy to me......There are plenty of systems in use that are less than 30 that are marine........I like the 40B, but i am partial to that very shallow look.

Thanks for the advice on the lamps, i will probably go with the 6, and run more lower intensitys. I dont pay for electricity (I live on an Air Force Base) and it will set me up better when i do go larger (125+) and i will just get another 36. thanks

 

[NickC5FE]

Oh yeah- and what was "out of line"?

 

[James77]

What is "the old 40 gallon minimum" thing- sounds crazy to me......There are plenty of systems in use that are less than 30 that are marine........I like the 40B, but i am partial to that very shallow look.

Thanks for the advice on the lamps, i will probably go with the 6, and run more lower intensitys. I dont pay for electricity (I live on an Air Force Base) and it will set me up better when i do go larger (125+) and i will just get another 36. thanks

There is no minimum size rule

Oh yeah- and what was "out of line"?

Him suggesting a different sized tank.

 

[uncleof6]

What is "the old 40 gallon minimum" thing- sounds crazy to me......There are plenty of systems in use that are less than 30 that are marine........I like the 40B, but i am partial to that very shallow look.

Thanks for the advice on the lamps, i will probably go with the 6, and run more lower intensitys. I dont pay for electricity (I live on an Air Force Base) and it will set me up better when i do go larger (125+) and i will just get another 36. thanks

It is from a time that predates most in the hobby these days. That is why it is out of line.... lol Not that it is not of value. Also there are some marine critters that will not do well in tanks smaller than 40 gallons. I will not say, however, that smaller systems will not be successful.

 

[uncleof6]

There is no minimum size rule

I disagree. Depending.

 

[James77]

I disagree. Depending.

As far as having general success, tank size does not matter in the least. Smaller tanks may require more attention, but I have seen 5 gallon tanks that would stomp a 180 in beauty. Will the size limit what can be kept? Absolutely. But there is no minimum tank size to keep marine fish or coral.

 

[NickC5FE]

As far as having general success, tank size does not matter in the least. Smaller tanks may require more attention, but I have seen 5 gallon tanks that would stomp a 180 in beauty. Will the size limit what can be kept? Absolutely. But there is no minimum tank size to keep marine fish or coral.

Agreed! I was trying to see where the poster was going with that comment. A pair of clowns and a nem will do just fine in a 30 breeder. :beer: