Which tank reef???

[Nanook]

I am not going to run both tanks as saltwater because I can't afford to . So, one tank is going to be a cichlid tank and the other will be a reef. Looking for advice on which one to run reef and why.

The long tank is 375g 96x30x30 and the cube tank is 468g 60x60x30.

Thanks for letting me know your rationales too.

Dave

 

[DARKSILENTTYPE]

I like a long tank . The main reason is room a cube tank can only be so big before you have nowhere to put it .

I would use the cube tank for the reef . Because the chilid tank really don't need the flow that a reef tank does and the cube tank would be easier to make a lot of flow and not have dead spots .

The long tank would be great for the chilids because you could but in a large piece of wood and they will breed . With some plants it will look real nature and cool.


DST

 

[avgjoe]

If you have a room large enough to get that cube away from the wall so that all 4 side are visible (with center overflow), then make that your reef tank. You'll have a lot more viewing angles and coral placement options.

 

[drgabe]

Cube = reef
Long = FOWLR
29g = Cichlids

 

[stephen scott]

I have Lake Malawi cichlids. They are 4 years old and have reached 6". One is about 8". There are 4 varieties. I would use the long for these fish. When they start chasing each other, they use the whole tank and quickly! I have a small 40 gallon breeder for my salt tank. You can get smaller fish for the cube and have everyone happy. Plus better viewing from the sides if it's a saltwater tank.

 

[Nanook]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7922863#post7922863 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drgabe
Cube = reef
Long = FOWLR
29g = Cichlids

FOWLR is too expensive compared to a cichlid tank with RODI water, cartridges, saltmix, water bills and sewer bills, etc.

One tank will have to be freshwater.

dave

 

[Nanook]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7922988#post7922988 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stephen scott
I have Lake Malawi cichlids. They are 4 years old and have reached 6". One is about 8". There are 4 varieties. I would use the long for these fish. When they start chasing each other, they use the whole tank and quickly! I have a small 40 gallon breeder for my salt tank. You can get smaller fish for the cube and have everyone happy. Plus better viewing from the sides if it's a saltwater tank.

Do you have a peacock tank? I am debating between a beautiful mix of Lake Malawi peacocks(probably all males) and a Frontosa/calvus tank.

 

[stephen scott]

I don't have the Peacocks( beautiful fish). I have the Yellow labs, Rustys, Blue socolofi, johanni's,red zebras. The are all from the same location( lake malawi), and have the same diet( vegetarians). They've been easy to keep and breed like rabbits!

 

[latazyo]

I think a long tank is better for cichlids

 

[DrBDC]

I voted long tank just because of lighting issues. The cube would require 2 rows of lights and almost 2X as much lighting.

But,,,

Why not plumb the two together and just have the other fish only. Larger water volume doesn't mean you have to stuff it full and increase the bioload that high and you wouldn't have to have any live rock in the other. Maybe just sand in it for now and if you run into some great deal throw 50 bucks of rock in at a time. It would almost be cheaper to make it a connected saltwater tank even if only water and a ton of damsels than to mess with a separate filtration, twice as much cleaning of filters, etc.

 

[Nanook]

I considered running both with one common sump, but that still adds another 375g+50-75g sump water...so that is another 450g of saltwater that will evaporate, add to the RODI, sewer bill, water bill, etc. I think running one FW and the other SW is what fits my needs for now, plus I do like the contrast of FW and SW in the basement.

 

[Nanook]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7923180#post7923180 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrBDC
I voted long tank just because of lighting issues. The cube would require 2 rows of lights and almost 2X as much lighting.

I will have four pendants over either tank, so lighting would be the same.

 

[stlouisguy]

I would agree with Roy. I can understand the expense aspect, but a FOWLR plumbed together really isnt that much more as far as boiload and expense. I know once I get my cube in Im going to have about 200 lbs or rock for sale pretty cheap with lots of growth on it

But if you do decide to go fresh, reef cube fresh long

 

[Nanook]

The cube would be much more difficult to do maintenance on if it were a reef tank too.

 

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7923285#post7923285 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nanook
The cube would be much more difficult to do maintenance on if it were a reef tank too.

Your comfort plays no part in this discussion

 

[ol'saltybastage]

cube = reef i like the equal depth/width look
long = salt, or fresh i guess

 

[toungetwster]

I would do cube as reef if there is no other option of plumbing them together. I like the idea of out in the middle of the room with center flow! Great for all sides viewing. Put the long tank in the wall and the cube in the center of the room!

 

[Dert42]

i like the long for reef. in a cube i get frustrated cause i can't get up close to see all the cool stuff.

 

[Fade]

I would do the long tank reef because better sittng. The way your basment is set up I think you would spend more time watching the fresh water tank.

 

[Nanook]

25 cube and 16 long tank from my two polls....not sure yet what to do and wish I had one big tank to run instead of two!