I'm looking to upgrade tanks. I'm limited to 55 gallons by my apartment. I was set on a 48 X 16 X 16 until I saw one and it was a little narrower than I imagined in my head. Other options are 48 X 24 X 12 and 36 X 18 X 18. Is the extra foot of length going to open up more fish stocking options? Is 12" too shallow? Is an extra 2" of front to back depth worth sacrificing a foot of length?
Ideal footprint for fish
- Thread starter Ryan1190
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GimpyFin
Active member
I'd agree with 3dees, but I'm guessing the 55 gallon limit is a rule set by the apartment complex due to weight, etc.? I was in a fish store a couple weeks ago and the owner knew a guy that has a 300 gallon in a 3rd floor apartment. The apartment complex supposedly doesn't allow fish tanks either, which sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.
Anything less than 4' rules out a lot of fish, IMO. You'll find tangs and rabbit fish in smaller tanks, but it's not always a good idea. Length isn't all there is, though. A standard 55g is too small for tangs, despite being long enough. I'd go as wide and long as possible, and make due with some height. I'd also clarify the reason for the 55g rule in the apartment by talking with management. Maybe a special request for something slightly over the rule will be made if it's not a huge difference.
Outside of fish selection, space between the front and back glass really helps with aquascaping. A 55g makes that difficult as well. I'd say 12 inches tall is a little short, but 16 isn't. 12" isn't bad, but I'd like something a little taller. Keep a 40 breeder's or 120g's ratios in mind when picking a tank and you'll have a good looking box of glass. Just be sure to stock around the tank you have, not the tank you wish you had.
Outside of fish selection, space between the front and back glass really helps with aquascaping. A 55g makes that difficult as well. I'd say 12 inches tall is a little short, but 16 isn't. 12" isn't bad, but I'd like something a little taller. Keep a 40 breeder's or 120g's ratios in mind when picking a tank and you'll have a good looking box of glass. Just be sure to stock around the tank you have, not the tank you wish you had.
Thanks for all the tips. Yeah the 55 gallon rule is set by the apartment complex because I guess they don't want 55 gallons of water pouring down from my 11th floor place. I'm just assuming they mean DT and not system volume
I might ask and see if they'll let me do a 75... I'm not planning on having any tangs but flasher and fairy wrasses and dwarf angels I think all prefer 4 ft tanks.
I might ask and see if they'll let me do a 75... I'm not planning on having any tangs but flasher and fairy wrasses and dwarf angels I think all prefer 4 ft tanks.
ezerasurfr
New member
If youre on the 11th floor, the building can hold much, much more than 55g. It is probably just a static rule to help them cover their expenses should a large tank break. Go with a 120, no one is going to come up and measure the water volume.
WaReefer458
New member
I'd agree with the 40b. I have one with a diamond goby, bicolor blenny, 3 fairy wrasses and a pair of clowns. And it'll save you money not lighting a 4' tank.
Dkuhlmann
New member
I have 7 fish in my 40b and a lot of corals and 3 BTA's. I'm probably going to add an 8th fish and possibly a 9th. Just not sure yet.
Current fish:
Cherub Angel
Midas Blenny
Royal Gramma
Pair Mocha Ocellaris clowns
Yellow Candy Hog Fish
McCosker's wrasse
Here is a link to my tank so you can get an idea of just how nice the 40b footprint is. It's 36x18x17
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2540376
Current fish:
Cherub Angel
Midas Blenny
Royal Gramma
Pair Mocha Ocellaris clowns
Yellow Candy Hog Fish
McCosker's wrasse
Here is a link to my tank so you can get an idea of just how nice the 40b footprint is. It's 36x18x17
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2540376
toothybugs
New member
My 40B was rather flexible. It also has more floor space than a 55, 36x18 vs 48x12 (or 4.5 sqft vs 4).
I will agree with the others - if nothing else, get a 4 foot 65 gallon. It's like a 75 just a little shallower.
Best choice is still a 4x2x2 120 though
I will agree with the others - if nothing else, get a 4 foot 65 gallon. It's like a 75 just a little shallower.
Best choice is still a 4x2x2 120 though
Check out the new aquamaxx 48g at marinedepot. Its 36x18x18 12mm rimless low iron. I'm planning my next setup around this tank.
ComforablyNumb
New member
This reminds me of about 20 yrs ago when I lived in an apartment building and during a major water change, the refill hose slipped out unnoticed sometime before I noticed it ...and there was some water on the floor, but not much that I could see. So I wiped it up assuming I got to it before much had spilt.
Anyway, I left and did not return for 4 hours. When I got back, the super was outside my door asking if I had any water damage because the apt below has some and the ceiling in their kitchen had almost come down. I told him I had spilled some water that morning, but not much that I could see. ...but he immediately went on a tirade about the ancient airconditioning unit on the roof that they had been having condensation and drainage problems with and he was certain that was the culprit. He said he had asked the owner to replace the unit many times and this was the consequence of the owner's cheaping out. He had already called the insurance company and they had told him everything would be covered and the tenants below would be getting all new paint, etc...which they were quite pleased about, them having wanted to paint anyway. The owner told the super that afternoon he would replace the long-faulty unit...finally..so everyone was happy.
I said not a word more. Should I have said more? Yes. Did I? No. But even 20 yrs later I still feel guilty ..because I was.
I suggest you have renter's insurance if you have a tank in your apartment. Just sayin...
In regards to the 55g...I have one set up as a reef (see pic below), but I do not recommend the standard size 55g like I have at all ....as aquascaping a reef in a 12" wide tank can be a nightmare. I finally got mine to look ok to me, but it was not fun and limits you severely on what you can create. Cheers.
Anyway, I left and did not return for 4 hours. When I got back, the super was outside my door asking if I had any water damage because the apt below has some and the ceiling in their kitchen had almost come down. I told him I had spilled some water that morning, but not much that I could see. ...but he immediately went on a tirade about the ancient airconditioning unit on the roof that they had been having condensation and drainage problems with and he was certain that was the culprit. He said he had asked the owner to replace the unit many times and this was the consequence of the owner's cheaping out. He had already called the insurance company and they had told him everything would be covered and the tenants below would be getting all new paint, etc...which they were quite pleased about, them having wanted to paint anyway. The owner told the super that afternoon he would replace the long-faulty unit...finally..so everyone was happy.
I said not a word more. Should I have said more? Yes. Did I? No. But even 20 yrs later I still feel guilty ..because I was.
I suggest you have renter's insurance if you have a tank in your apartment. Just sayin...
In regards to the 55g...I have one set up as a reef (see pic below), but I do not recommend the standard size 55g like I have at all ....as aquascaping a reef in a 12" wide tank can be a nightmare. I finally got mine to look ok to me, but it was not fun and limits you severely on what you can create. Cheers.
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If it is a weight thing they worry about you could argue allowing you to get a longer tank will provide a better distribution across the supports and you could offer to get higher renter insurance amounts. If you are going to go this route though you will need to find out which way they run.
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