Small Tank Preferrence?

[Ticeman]

What would be the perfect small tank setup for a reef? Is it better to have a cube shape tank, long, like a standard 50-gallon or something tall? I know most of it is preferrence, but does anyone have positive, negative feedback on the best tank design for reefs. The tank would have a overflow in the center with everything down below. I would be starting from scratch so lighting will be bought to accommodate whichever tank I get. I want to have a wall in the back stacked high with LR, and enjoy both soft and hard corals. My main question is what would a experienced reefer prefer with a smaller tank? Smaller tank meaning 80 gallons or less. Lots of people go through several tanks before settling for one which they wish they started off with in the beginning. I know most will say just go bigger but I have always been drawn to the smaller tanks packed full. Right now I'm looking at a 36x18x21 tank around 58 g. Any opinions would be great.


Thanks,
Tice

 

[liquid]

I like something with a decent front-to-back dimension and with a decent side-to-side dimension. For a mid-sized tank, either a 40 breeder (36" long x 18" front-to-back x 16" tall) or a 50 breeder (36" long x 18" front-to-back x 18" tall) or even a 65 gal are sweet. Cubes are nice too, like a 60 gal cube that's 2'x2'x2'. Any of these can be lit by a single halide.

Shane

 

[Meloco14]

I think a lot is just personal preference, as you guessed. But I also think it depends on what kind of reef you plan on building. Get an image of it in your mind, and get a tank accordingly. I started with a standard 55, and I didn't really like it. It was mostly just the circumstances, as I didn't have enough rock for a huge reef structure, which I wanted, and the fish I had were all small, royal gramma, neon gobies, and pygmy angel. All the space in the tank made the fish seem even smaller, and made the tank look empty. After looking around, I decided I wanted a nice, tall reef structure. So I got a 40 tall, which I really like. You can build a tall, pyramidal reef and there's plenty of rock space for corals, and enough room for a few smaller fish. If you want an SPS or clam tank, however, I would recommend getting a breeder like liquid said. You can build a low, wide reef and have the corals growing off the top. The width also gives you space in the sand for clams. Breeders are also the best for leaving topless and getting a birds eye view, if you have pendant halides or something. I also love the look of a cube, but they are harder to find and are expensive. You could build a nice tall reef in a cube too. Check out pics of peoples tanks and get an idea, also decide what kinds of fish and corals you want. Certain fish will need a long tank. In the end go with the tank you like the best, you are the one who will live with it and appreciate it the most...

 

[johns120]

I have always been told that the greater the surface area the better for gas exchange, thus tall tanks are less ideal. Other considerations can be cost. Odd shaped tanks are more expensive than standard. Prime example would be too compare a 55 standard 48x12x18? to a 54 corner, probably twice as expensive. Consider lighting also. The extra money spent on an odd shape like maybe a corner or cube can be saved by only needing one MH bulb as opposed to two. The other consideration is interior tank stand clearance. I had trouble fitting my skimmer in my AGA stand but if I went with Oceanic I would have fit. Hope that helps. Ultimately though its personal preference.

 

[J.Howard]

I have always been told that the greater the surface area the better for gas exchange, thus tall tanks are less ideal. .

I agree, that's what I've always heard, yet have seen many cube, octogon, etc. that allow a unique space to fill with rock, and look very vibrant. Surface area may be less of a concern if you have an open sump as this adds to total system surface area. Regardless of shape, the wider, the better IMO, this allows depth and an area of open sand if a DSB is in your plans. Wider rectangles often allow more water volume for a given length if space is at a premium. Hope this helps.

 

[Mikef1]

Like shane, I also prefer the breeder style 40 and 50 gal tanks. It gives you the room you need for aquascaping. Height does not do as much for you as lengh and width. I actually prefer shorter reef tanks for that reason and you wont need as high of wattage lighting over that small amount of water v.s and tall tank with the same volume where you would need more intense lighting because of the depth.

 

[Ticeman]

Thanks for all the advice. My LFS is installing new tanks and gave me one of their 40 g breeder tanks drilled and with a overflow. Its old, if I can get it cleaned up and resealed I will give it a try.

Thanks,
Tice

 

[Mikef1]

Thats an awsome tank if you can clean it up a bit.

 

[MontanaRocknReefer]

I am going with a 60 gal 2' x 2' x 2' cube tank and just posted a thread on it under "new tank". Johnny