Stocking for 45 gallon cube and 40 gallon breeder

[paulsz]

Hi all,

I have the option of getting a 45 gallon cube (24"x24"x24") or a 40 breeder. Personally, I would prefer the cube as it suits the space I have in my basement (where the tank will be). That being said, I don't want to get it if it is going to limit my stocking.

I have no official stocking list as of yet, but I do know I want the following:

- 1 ocellaris clownfish
- 1 goby of some sort (probably firefish)
- 1 wrasse of some sort
- 1 star fish, if possible

I would also like to get a mandarin in a few years, when I can say I've learned enough and have enough experience to successfully keep one.

Also, this tank will become a reef tank (probably on soft corals).

Any recommendations on which tank size to get? Like I said, I'd prefer the cube, but if there really is a huge benefit to the 40B, then I will get it instead.

Any stocking ideas are welcome I do not have an expansive knowledge on all the types of marine fish so I may be missing something that I would love to keep.

Thanks

 

[Jon0807]

Personally I like the length of the 40b rather than the cube. Would it be a huge benefit over the cube? Probably not. But for me the aquascaping is more appealing with a longer tank. You're pretty limited with the type and number of fish that you are able to keep with either one. But like I said, that's just my personal preference.

 

[clowncaldy27]

I'd go with the 40 breeder due to the surface area of the water in relation to gas exchange and the aquascaping.

 

[mikem101]

Hi all,

I would also like to get a mandarin in a few years, when I can say I've learned enough and have enough experience to successfully keep one.

Also, this tank will become a reef tank (probably on soft corals).

Any recommendations on which tank size to get? Like I said, I'd prefer the cube, but if there really is a huge benefit to the 40B, then I will get it instead.

Any stocking ideas are welcome I do not have an expansive knowledge on all the types of marine fish so I may be missing something that I would love to keep.

Thanks

So I don't see issue with your list other than a mandarin, IMHO it would be EXTREMLY difficult to support this little guy in a tank that small. Can someone do it I'm sure there is a couple people out there who have done it, but those are the exceptions not the rule! I would nix this guy off your list until you have a large tank able to support enough pods to keep this little guy alive! Maybe take a look at a royal gramma pretty common but beautiful fish! or a couple little clown goby I love those guys!

Now for tank size there is no real benefit to the 40B unless you prefer the look of the rectangle better than the cube. It comes down to preferences, I prefer the 40B over a cube not a huge fan of the cube but that's just me!

Hope this helps!

 

[top shelf]

I have a 45 cube as well except my dimensions are a little different. Mine is 24x20x20 but your stocking list is rather similar to mine.
Thinking
Firefish
Candy basslet
Blue spot jawfish
Coris wrasse
2 percula clowns
I agree hold off on the mandrin till you have a bigger tank. You could constantly dump pods in there but unless your culturing your own would get expensive and for me personally wouldn't be worth it. Love the look of a cube but can be harder to aquascape and that's where I'm at with mine currently.

 

[paulsz]

Thank you for the replies. As beautiful as the mandarin is, I'll have to forget about that idea until I get a bigger tank.

top shelf, you're right it is 24x20x20. The 24x24x24 I was thinking of was the 60 gal cube!

 

[top shelf]

I figured you just used the wrong dimensions lol but if your trying to decide between a 40 breeder and a 45g cube the difference in volume is negligible in this case. It will more be personal preference. Just look at the advantages and disadvantages and decide what's best for you.

 

[paulsz]

is there an advantage in terms of stocking?

I switched over from freshwater and in freshwater, lengths of tanks matter a lot. But in saltwater, plenty of fish don't really swim back and forth in long distances. I suppose that was the biggest concern I had with a 24" long tank vs a 36" one.

 

[top shelf]

The breeder would allow for more swimming space and more area to set up territories as it's longer. Going off your stocking list the wrasse would appreciate the extra swimming space. The firefish will likely pick an area and stick to it and the clowns may do the same, or they may later on decide the entire tank is theirs.