Choosing the right tank.

[Dubbs]

So I've been looking at take sizes and I'm having a hard time choosing.

The all in one systems are pretty cool and easy. But then building one is more 'flexible' so to say.

I live in a apartment, so huge tanks won't be an option. I was thinking maybe a 40 gallon?

Help me out guys, what kind of tank should I get? AIO or build one from scratch? :hmm3:

 

[lacosta28]

What kind of fish do you want to keep in your tank? Decide that first and then it will give a range of tank sizes you should have.

 

[Dubbs]

Nothing huge, some corals and simple fish. Like clowns, damsels, Or even a Tang. (I know they need larger tanks) And for corals, I have no idea what kind I want yet. Im interested in zoos and torch corals so far.

 

[bberg16]

if you go with 40 gal go with the 40 gal breeder easier to work with wide enough to get some live rock in it and not be close to the glass

 

[lordofthereef]

Pretty much all tangs are going to be a no go in a 40g. Some say go with a baby and take him out later. You can certainly do that until time comes to actually get him out, at which point you realize you rather not dismantle your rockwork with corals attached to it.

 

[peppie]

Many people have and like their AIOs. With a few small mod to the store bought units you could have a very nice reef. Do your homework. Get the largest AIO you can afford. There are some very good threads on AIOs here at RC. Read, Read, Read, before you decide.
I do not own one. I have built my own. I like the idea of not having water exit the tank, then reenter the tank. The chance for a flood is reduced

 

[Dubbs]

I feel overwhelmed. :$

The pestmart by my house is selling a 56 gallon, column type. It's a decent size, comes with a stand a glass top. $235

What do you guys think?

 

[Qtip760]

IMO, Length > hieghth

 

[Dubbs]

The tank is: 30"Lx18"Wx24"H

 

[jong11]

higher tanks can be harder to light. a 40 breeder is a great tank to start with. i bought one and then decided that since i live in an apartment and would be moving in the next year to wait on setting it up. i went with a 10 gallon instead, which really limits my livestock choices and is much harder to maintain stability. that being said, i'm having to learn quicker, and will have a jump on starting my 40 once i am settles in a new house.
i would consider, living situation, potential livestock, and costs of running and maintaining a larger tank

 

[Polahbear]

Don't make the mistake of just getting the biggest volume tank, there are advantages to more water (stable parameters) But there are also cons (weight, more salt needed, more top off needed, potentially higher lighting needed for deeper tanks.) But don't just get a smaller tank because its on sale either. You need the right size and for that you need to know what you want out of or in the tank.
The most important thing is know what Livestock you want most. If you must have a Tang, then find out what the need of that type of Tang is. If you only want a pair of clowns and so corals you could get a much smaller set up. So start looking into the corals or fish you want, or look for some suggestions for specific tank sizes, like what is good for a 29? or 40?

 

[Ram Jr]

Get a 55 gal. The size of the 55 gal stand can work with the 75 and 90 gal. They just get taller. This way you have a good size tank to start. you only need to do 5 gal water changes a week. And later on if you want to get a bigger tank you can. Also consider that with the tank depth being like 18 in if i rem correctly you dont have to spend a whole bunch of money filling the tank with lots of rock and sand.

 

[crvz]

I really like a 40 breeder for folks starting out. It's a great size. I also agree with a number of sentiments already stated; avoid the tang until you have a tank properly sized to house the fish as an adult.

 

[Pittman]

Dubbs,

As some people have mentioned, you have to do a lot of research but it will come down to personal preference.

I too am looking at the 56 column tank from Petsmart and here are the reasons i've picked it over the 40B and 55G:
-6" wider then the 55G. This allows for better aquascaping(The comment about the 75 and 90 only getting taller is incorrect, they also get wider/deeper) 55G I only 12" wide/deep.
-16G more then the 40B which allows me to make/notice water parameters changes.
-Its a great price. For me to get a 40B or 55G it would cost a minimum of $200 more(Stand cost included)

 

[Pittman]

Get a 55 gal. The size of the 55 gal stand can work with the 75 and 90 gal. They just get taller. This way you have a good size tank to start. you only need to do 5 gal water changes a week. And later on if you want to get a bigger tank you can. Also consider that with the tank depth being like 18 in if i rem correctly you dont have to spend a whole bunch of money filling the tank with lots of rock and sand.

The tanks get wider/deeper from 55 to 75 then only taller from 75 to 90
55 height is 21"
Less Sand??? The 56 Column(which he is considering) has a smaller footprint = Less sand then 55G.
Less Rock??? This is your filtration... only reduces how many fish you can sustain

 

[Lynnmw1208]

I wouldn't do a column tank for the same reasons posted here. It will be much harder to get light to the bottom of that tank. A lot of people start with 75 gallon or 90 gallon as it's a nice size to start with. 40 breeders are nice, but you will have to build your own stand since it's near impossible to find one. I am using one for a QT tank and I have it on those metal shelves you use for garages, but I would not recommend this since it's not really stable lol.

 

[jong11]

petco's $1 per gallon is coming up very soon, standard tanks up to 55gal. if costs are an issue, wait a few days.