Hi All,
Ive been lurking for a long time and am now making the leap. I've been kicking around what tank to purchase and have been going back and forth on this for months. So hopefully I can get some suggestions!
Tank parameters:
- Rimless
- Anywhere from around 50 gallon to 100 gallon.
- I REALLY like the shallow tanks. Would like something around 48"x24"x16".
- I really like peninsula tanks and have the space for one.
- I really like tanks where the back glass is clear and not blacked out.
- Stand must be manufactured and match/compliment the tank. I unfortunately don't have any location to build something myself nor would I trust myself to build something that looks extremely nice.
- Price range for tank/stand: $800 - $1,500.00. I really don't want to spend more than this, but if I find the right tank perhaps I would.
Tanks I've looked into. Pros/Cons for each:
- New Cadlights 45g shallow. I've heard mixed reviews for cadlights and am aware this would be somewhat of a risk going this route. The tank is 36"x24"x12" and would come with a nice looking stand. I would buy this in a heart beat if it were 48" instead of 36".
- Reefer Series 350. I was dead set for a couple months on this tank, but the more I've thought about it the more I realized I want something that's wider (it's only 20" I believe) and shorter. Mainly wider. I know they have the 425XL coming out, but that will be in the $2k range. I stll really like this tank, just feel like I would be settling if I bought it.
- Cadlights 70g Artisan. Same setup as the 45g and same draw backs as the 45g. It's only 36" wide and and it's Cadlights which makes me nervous.
- SC Aquariums 80 or 90 Gallon PNP Once again only 36" wide, but it has great depth which I like. I did email them and asked if they could put the plumbing on the right side of the tank with the right small side of the tank glass being black and the large back side being starfire clear. They shoot me a quote of $1,600.00 for the 90 gallon to do this. I think this setup would be intriguing because you could do a peninsula or regular straight on view. I do wish it was closer to 48" wide and perhaps a bit shorter height.
- Deep Blue 80 I looked at the Deep Blue 80 gallon which is the exact size I want. I have heard mixed reviews on quality of this tank and I would have to try and find a stand. I noticed they sell stands on their website, I personally don't like the look of them. I really like the look of the Reefer stands and the Cadlights stands - very simple and clean. One advantage with the Deep Blue is the fact that the plumbing is in the corner so you could always set it up as a peninsula or regular.
- Reef Savvy Received a quote from those guys for a tank around the 48"x24"x16" range with the ghost flow and starfire glass. It was EXPENSIVE, but from everything I heard you pay for what you get. It also doesn't have a stand so I would have to find a stand. They also have a long lead time (I believe they said 6 months) which makes this not an option for me.
- Nuvo 80 I want a stand with a traditional sump in the stand, I'm not looking for something that has everything built into the back.
- Glass Cages I heard quality was an issue with these tank and I don't like the look of the stand they offer.
Does anyone have any suggestions, thoughts, input? Hoping perhaps there are a couple brands I didn't know about that someone could push me in the right direction.
I also have some equipment so I was hoping to try and use it on the new tank. The following is what I currently have:
- (2) Kessil A360W with controller
- Skimz SM163 skimmer
- Reef keeper lite with multiple power strips
- MP10
- Dosing pumps
I plan on buying more equipment specific to whatever I end up with. If I get the 45 Cadlights I think I would be sitting ok, but if I got a larger tank I would most likely need more flow (thinking Gyro 130/150).
Ive been lurking for a long time and am now making the leap. I've been kicking around what tank to purchase and have been going back and forth on this for months. So hopefully I can get some suggestions!
Tank parameters:
- Rimless
- Anywhere from around 50 gallon to 100 gallon.
- I REALLY like the shallow tanks. Would like something around 48"x24"x16".
- I really like peninsula tanks and have the space for one.
- I really like tanks where the back glass is clear and not blacked out.
- Stand must be manufactured and match/compliment the tank. I unfortunately don't have any location to build something myself nor would I trust myself to build something that looks extremely nice.
- Price range for tank/stand: $800 - $1,500.00. I really don't want to spend more than this, but if I find the right tank perhaps I would.
Tanks I've looked into. Pros/Cons for each:
- New Cadlights 45g shallow. I've heard mixed reviews for cadlights and am aware this would be somewhat of a risk going this route. The tank is 36"x24"x12" and would come with a nice looking stand. I would buy this in a heart beat if it were 48" instead of 36".
- Reefer Series 350. I was dead set for a couple months on this tank, but the more I've thought about it the more I realized I want something that's wider (it's only 20" I believe) and shorter. Mainly wider. I know they have the 425XL coming out, but that will be in the $2k range. I stll really like this tank, just feel like I would be settling if I bought it.
- Cadlights 70g Artisan. Same setup as the 45g and same draw backs as the 45g. It's only 36" wide and and it's Cadlights which makes me nervous.
- SC Aquariums 80 or 90 Gallon PNP Once again only 36" wide, but it has great depth which I like. I did email them and asked if they could put the plumbing on the right side of the tank with the right small side of the tank glass being black and the large back side being starfire clear. They shoot me a quote of $1,600.00 for the 90 gallon to do this. I think this setup would be intriguing because you could do a peninsula or regular straight on view. I do wish it was closer to 48" wide and perhaps a bit shorter height.
- Deep Blue 80 I looked at the Deep Blue 80 gallon which is the exact size I want. I have heard mixed reviews on quality of this tank and I would have to try and find a stand. I noticed they sell stands on their website, I personally don't like the look of them. I really like the look of the Reefer stands and the Cadlights stands - very simple and clean. One advantage with the Deep Blue is the fact that the plumbing is in the corner so you could always set it up as a peninsula or regular.
- Reef Savvy Received a quote from those guys for a tank around the 48"x24"x16" range with the ghost flow and starfire glass. It was EXPENSIVE, but from everything I heard you pay for what you get. It also doesn't have a stand so I would have to find a stand. They also have a long lead time (I believe they said 6 months) which makes this not an option for me.
- Nuvo 80 I want a stand with a traditional sump in the stand, I'm not looking for something that has everything built into the back.
- Glass Cages I heard quality was an issue with these tank and I don't like the look of the stand they offer.
Does anyone have any suggestions, thoughts, input? Hoping perhaps there are a couple brands I didn't know about that someone could push me in the right direction.
I also have some equipment so I was hoping to try and use it on the new tank. The following is what I currently have:
- (2) Kessil A360W with controller
- Skimz SM163 skimmer
- Reef keeper lite with multiple power strips
- MP10
- Dosing pumps
I plan on buying more equipment specific to whatever I end up with. If I get the 45 Cadlights I think I would be sitting ok, but if I got a larger tank I would most likely need more flow (thinking Gyro 130/150).
