I need help choosing a new tank

[Mark75]

I am upgrading my 30 gallon, I would like some of your expertise on this. I am thinking of a 58 gallon Oceanic. It is 36 inches long like my current tank so i can use my lights. It is a deep tank which I like for scaping. It will fit nicely in the same place as my current tank. Now in the back of my mind I am thinking if I am going to the trouble of buying and setting up a new tank make it a BIG one. 90, 120, or even bigger! (remember all I have had is a little 30 gallon )
The problem with this is cost up front and with maintenance. Finding a place to put it will also be difficult. Well, what do you guys think? I like a tank that is wide and deep but not a perfect cube. Can you recommend a good compromise? I made the mistake of buying the wrong tank to begin with i don't want to do it again. By the way were is a good place to buy a tank? Thanks guys!

 

[Lint_Licker]

a local guy here has a 125 Tall 60 x 18 x 25 for $500, comes with lights, sump, ATO, stand amd canaopy, and I think lots of liverock.

 

[acrodave]

if you were going to get a 58 you might as well go 75

 

[fishdoc11]

My favorite sizes for tanks are:
40 breeder (I think the 58 would probably be nice as well)
75 gallon
120 gallon 4' x 2' x 2'

If you can swing it I would go with a 75. That's a great sized tank IMO. If you want to go larger I would go ahead and get a 120. A 90 is a decent tank but IMO they are too narrow from front to back. Tanks are much easier to light in increments of 2'.

hth, Chris


Edit: Dave and I were thinking the same thing

 

[Mark75]

I agree on the 90's being too narrow from front to back. The only thing about the 75 is that it is 48" and I would have to get new lights and move furniture around. I think the dimensions are the same on a 75 and a 58 other than the 58 is 36" long where as the 75 is 48". I have seen a 90+ gallon tank that was very deep from front to back, any ideas what size that might be? fishdoc11 that was a good tip about lighting in 2' increments! That is why I started this thread.

 

[Mark75]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11043527#post11043527 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lint_Licker
a local guy here has a 125 Tall 60 x 18 x 25 for $500, comes with lights, sump, ATO, stand amd canaopy, and I think lots of liverock.

I have just about decided that I want the tank at least 24" front to back. Thanks for the info just the same.

 

[Mark75]

I have created this tank in my mind, 48"x36"x18". What size is this? Who makes one?

 

[ct_vol]

No one... Thats a custom one for sure... But if you find a manufacturer, please LMK...

My fave tank sizes are 40breeder, 58g, and 75g... I like the tanks 18inches or shallower... My arms aren't long enough to do the maintanence on 2' deep tanks... I do alright with my 120, but sometimes my sleeves get wet... lol

 

[fishdoc11]

http://www.glasscages.com makes custom tanks. His silicone work is a bit sloppy but I have yet to hear of one of his tanks leaking. Several people here and in Middle TN have them. Most other custom tank manufacturers are going to be $$$. That's one reason most stick with standard sizes.

2' deep is my limit. I can reach the bottom of my BB 120 with a step stool....but I'm an inch or two taller than Randy

...and I'm still not very tall

Chris

 

[Mark75]

Is there a formula to get gallons on this fictitious tank? (48x36x18) Do you see a problem with this size tank? Will it look stupid? What is a commonly available 70-100 gallon tank that is almost as wide as it is long? (cubeish)

 

[awcurl]

Mark there is a calculator on the bottom left side of RC's home page. Your fictitious tank is 136 gallons.

 

[Lint_Licker]

48x36x18 is 135g(134.6). If you do get something like that built, be sure to put some supports under the floor.

 

[Lint_Licker]

If I was going to go with a 135g, I'd go with a standard 135g. 72x18x24, you could still use your 36" light, would just need to get another one, lol. There is a used one here that was $200, dont know if he still wants to sell it or not.

 

[Mark75]

Okay, 135 gallon is a little more than I want. Looks like it is going to be a 58 or a 75. What is strange is it looks like the 75 is going to be cheaper than the 58? It this because it is more common? What about brands? Is there a brand of tanks superior to others? Is Starphire glass worth it?

 

[goreefer]

The good thing with a 75 is that they are 48" long.
Anything less makes it hard for most normal lighting. That is what I liked about my 90. It was 48" long and the combinations for lighting were awesome.

 

[fishdoc11]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11044968#post11044968 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mark75
Okay, 135 gallon is a little more than I want. Looks like it is going to be a 58 or a 75. What is strange is it looks like the 75 is going to be cheaper than the 58? It this because it is more common? What about brands? Is there a brand of tanks superior to others? Is Starphire glass worth it?

Yeah the 75 is sold more so more are made so it's cheaper
AGA makes a good tank IMO for the money. My last 2 (90 and 120) have been AGA and I've been happy with them. Oceanic has a little better rep but they bought AGA several years back and now they are very similar from the LFS owners I've talked to based on returns for leakage. Reefing is pretty expensive so the more you can go with standard size stuff the better off you really are if you are on a budget like most of us. 75 is a great size.

Chris

 

[ct_vol]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11044968#post11044968 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mark75
Is Starphire glass worth it?

I didn't think it was untill I bought one... Now I won't go back... But if you're looking to save money, the regular AGA, Perfecto, Oceanic tanks are all worthwhile...