Gallons vs Dimensions of Display Tank -- 29g Biocube to 40b worth it?

[Rakie]

Just looking for some open and honest opinions.

My ideal tank at this point in my life would be 36x24x20", perhaps even a little more shallow. As a student, this size would be the biggest I could comfortably have in my room. The problem is these are non-standard dimensions, and would require more than I'm willing to spend on a custom tank.

A 40 breeder is 36x18x17 -- As I see it, the height is just fine for me, but the width of 18" falls short. I would prefer that space open anyways for swimming room so it wouldn't impact coral placement regardless.

For sake of argument, I'm only talking about Display Tank Gallons vs Dimensions, I would of course setup a sump for this tank giving greater water volume and equipment choices.


Pros as I see them
- An extra 16 inches of length
- Way cheaper than a custom
- More fish room / options
- More Aquascape options
- More equipment options (Sump)

Cons as I see them
- Still doesn't open up too many fish options
- Width opens even more Aquascape depth


Pretty much mostly pro's -- But a part of me keeps wondering if it's worth it or not. So please, what do you think?

 

[A sea K]

IMO a 40gal breeder is far better dimensionally than a 29. Dont know your budget or size restrictions but Deep Blue makes both a 60gal and 80gal shallow rimless that each have a 48x24 footprint. I believe the 60 is 12" tall and the 80 I know for certain is 15" in actual height.
The spaciousness of either of these tanks will certainly open the door for fish room and aquascaping.

 

[Taahirs]

36x24x20 is my tank dimentions. It's really awesome. I don't think 18 wide will be too bad.

 

[Rakie]

IMO a 40gal breeder is far better dimensionally than a 29. Dont know your budget or size restrictions but Deep Blue makes both a 60gal and 80gal shallow rimless that each have a 48x24 footprint. I believe the 60 is 12" tall and the 80 I know for certain is 15" in actual height.
The spaciousness of either of these tanks will certainly open the door for fish room and aquascaping.

Thanks for the suggestions, although I cannot exceed 36", there's just not enough room.

36x24x20 is my tank dimentions. It's really awesome. I don't think 18 wide will be too bad.

Yeah it definitely looks like a very nice size that can afford you a lot of room for Aquascape and fish, but I can't drop that kind of money on a custom as a student.

Closest thing would be a 40B, and you can't beat that $1/g Petco sale for prices.

 

[ReefsandGeeks]

I have a 65G that is 37"x18"x24". I really like the size. Just an inch longer than you'd like, but the 18" depth from front to back is plenty for aquascaping and room for fish to swim infront of or behind the rockwork. With budget restrictions, I'd be surfing craigslist for good deals on the tank. I actually got my 65gallon with fish/liverock/filtration/lighting for FREE off craigslist because the person breaking it down wanted it to go to someone who knew what they were doing. For a 40B or similar, you could probly find a setup for ~$200-400 depending on what's included.

 

[cougareyes]

A 40b gives you almost double the display area as the bc29. You could do your rock work more vertical in the back to give you more open swimming up front, maybe even a lower rock jetty coming up towards the front. Fish I like for tanks that size include the pygmy angel, basslets, pygmy/small wrasses.

 

[WiDataTech]

I got a great deal on a 28g cube, and before it cycled I knew it wasn't going to satisfy me. Imy now in the process of building a 58 ( same dimensions as 40b, just a little taller) my advice, skip the little cube!