Which tank should i get?

[fishguy2501]

Hey everyone, so something came up and i wasnt able to get any of the tanks i was looking at, so they got sold. I am now able to get a tank and after looking around i found a few potential tanks.

#1 is an 80g rimless starfire 36x24x20" which is the nicest looking tank imo accept for the fact that is not fully at eye level. The problem i have with this one is that is seems small for the fish i want to keep. I would keep a mix of dwarf wrasses and smaller pseudanthias, as well as a few cardinalfish or gobies. The centerpiece fish for the tank would be either 1-2 pairs of genicanthus angels or a nice mix of about 3-5 Ctenochaetus.

#2 is a 70g rimless tank which is 48x20x16" which is short but the stand brings it to eye level. The problem i have with this one is that is looks really small for the fish i want to keep. I would keep a mix of dwarf wrasses and smaller pseudanthias, as well as a few cardinalfish or gobies. The centerpiece fish for the tank would be either a pair of genicanthus angels or a nice mix of about 3-5 Ctenochaetus.


#3 is a 110 gallon tank 48x18x30" which will be at eye level and has a big a viewing panel with might be nice for the fish. The problem with this is that is is narrow and tall which will make aquascaping and maintenance difficult. also it would need a canopy to hide the rim, which would cost alot lol I do like the thought of a large viewing pannel and a tank at eye level. In this tank i would keep fairy wrasses, cardinals, and some gobies, 1-2 pairs of genicanthus, and then 3-5 Ctenochaetus. Now in this size tank i plan to add in some zebrasomma. a desjardini and maybe 3 yellow tangs. I have 2 decisions to make about the fish, the first being if i should do a mix of the larger species of pseudanthias or stick with the smaller species. The second decision i have to make is if i should get a few acanthurus instead of the Ctenochaetus and zebrasomma. I would also think about adding in a couple pyramid butterfly fish.

also no matter which tank i plan on keeping either a trio of lightning maroons or a small harem of designer clowns like picassos.
What do you think i should pick? which one and why?

 

[nereefpat]

None of the tanks are big enough for the combination of fish you want to keep.

3-5 tangs of any genus will not work in a 3-4' tank. Neither will multiple pairs of angels. #2 and #3 tanks would arguably be appropriate for one Zebrasoma (except either of the two sailfins) OR one Ctenochaetus (except a chevron) and one Genicanthus angel.

Also clowns should be in pairs, not trios, and maroons are among the most aggressive.

As far as the tank, I think #2 or #3 gives you the most room for livestock.

 

[teddyzaper]

It seems like you know the answer. Which one comes to mind first when talking about it? I'd do the 80 if it was mine.

 

[fishguy2501]

It seems like you know the answer. Which one comes to mind first when talking about it? I'd do the 80 if it was mine.

I mean i want the 110 really bad but the 80g is really nice lol

 

[teddyzaper]

I mean i want the 110 really bad but the 80g is really nice lol

Then get the 110. Sounds like a nice tank. If you don't get the one that you want really bad, each time you look at the tank you'll think what you could've gotten

 

[steallife904]

bigger is better . as said above though none of those tanks are big enough for 3 tangs.

 

[DM and the Boys]

Go for width. Height is a pain to light and work on.

 

[tvu]

Go as big as you can afford and manage otherwise you'll wish you went bigger


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GimpyFin]

I have the 110 and I actually like it a lot. I picked it mainly because the area I had to work with was limited to about 48x18. So, I went tall. The tall viewing area is nice in our living room and some of the fish like the extra swimming room up top. I don't have much of an issue with maintenance, and while I'd prefer a tank 24" wide, I didn't have much issue with aquascaping. Anyway, good luck with which ever one you decide on.

 

[nereefpat]

I love that tank, brian. Those big brains and caps look awesome. Is that butterfly C. mitratus?

 

[xREEFINaintEZx]

That's quite the toss up bud. The rimless look clean/sharp but your losing 30gallon right there. Another reason to get the 110 is I don't like hanging lights above the tank... Some guys do it right but 99% of the time is looks like a trapeez hanging in a Chipotle restaurant. Argument against the 110. I'd say don't worry about maintenance being hard but more so how are you gonna aquascape it and will it be harder to get the "rite Flo" good luck bud!

 

[tvu]

I have a 110 5' tank. It's better for fish that like to swim than 4' and not too tall so you can get your arms in the tank for things like maintenance or scaping


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[scybulski]

assume your house has no concerns about floor structure? Those are relatively small tanks so should be ok. However older houses....

 

[GimpyFin]

I love that tank, brian. Those big brains and caps look awesome. Is that butterfly C. mitratus?

Thank you. Yes, the butterfly is a Mitratus. He does a little harmless nipping around here and there, but overall has been a great fish.

 

[CrayolaViolence]

If you want those fish you are better to get a larger tank than any listed above. Larger means you have more space for change, water, and a variety of fish. You almost can't get too big. (I said almost). The cost to maintain a tank that's 90 gallons vs 180 gallons is about the same, although the initial set up can be more, but over all, the work load, the monthly salt, etc, is pretty much equal.
I have a 150 Fish only tank that's my easiest tank to maintain. Lightly stocked, it has an HOB skimmer, no sump, a good clean up crew, and three lovely fish that would not work in my reef tank.