55 gallon reef?

[extremepb319]

I'm just curious... does anybody have a 55 gallon reef? I have never seen anybody with one or heard of people mention them. Is there a reason for this because i might be getting one in a week or so....jw if theres a reason?

 

[metalac]

I got one . I think the reason is that some are weird sizes, too shallow, or too skinny (between wall and front face). Mine is an "old school" one and it has a non-standard dimensions as far as today's 55 tanks are concerned. Mine is 48 long by 17 high by 15 wide. I think that there are version today that are 12 wide, which is too little, or the ones that are 18 wide, which is just fine, but then it's only 15 or so tall. Either way measure yours and make sure you can make the layout in it that you want. So far so good as far as mine is concerned.

 

[metalac]

whoops here are pics:

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=109188

Scroll down for more recent pics.

 

[extremepb319]

I think the one im getting is a standard 55 which mean its rely thin. will this be a problem with water flow and putting rock in and swim space and stuff?? jw

 

[mr_X]

it depends on what sort of livestock you want to keep. some, actually alot of saltwater fish get big fast and will outgrow a 55. choose right, and that's a nice sized tank. cheap to fill with live rock and corals :wink: , cheaper to light, cheaper to do waterchanges to......

 

[extremepb319]

Thanks but would a 75 be any cheaper? I have a limited budget so I dont mind spending more on getting a 75 instead as long as it is proportionately the same price. And i was just thinking about some corals and maybe a clown pair and firefish or something along those lines.

 

[Brian5000]

Because both tanks (standard sizes anyway) are the same length, there isn't a huge cost difference between a 55 and a 75. Lighting requirements will be about the same and the ideal skimmer choice for either tank will probably be pretty close.

Tanks above that size get more pricey. A lot of it is due to lighting needs because they are so deep and/or long.
_________________
Stranger Originated Life Insurance Forum

 

[mr_X]

but where does it end? a 90 is just a tiny bit bigger than 75....a 110 is just a little bigger than that.... i think you should find someone on reefs that actually has one of these tanks, and ask them what the initial costs were, what the up-keep is, what kind of lighting, skimmer, what fish do they have sucessfully, and only then make your decision.

IMO, "some corals and a clown pair and firefish" will fit in a 55 perfectly.

 

[ChrisRD]

I've had both tanks and I agree with Brian that it doesn't cost much more to setup/run a 75 vs. the 55 since they are similar in length and height.

IME there is a significant benefit in making the jump. The 12" front-to-back dimension of a 55 is very limiting for rockscaping. IMO it's a big improvement and well worth the extra $$ going to the 18" width that the 75 gallon provides.

Personally, I preferred my 50 gallon (3' long 18" wide) to the 55 gallon (4' long 12" wide) for use as a reef tank.

 

[Anonymous]

Because both tanks (standard sizes anyway) are the same length, there isn't a huge cost difference between a 55 and a 75. Lighting requirements will be about the same and the ideal skimmer choice for either tank will probably be pretty close.

Tanks above that size get more pricey. A lot of it is due to lighting needs because they are so deep and/or long.

Agree here. The only additional cost should be the extra on the tank and a little extra live rock. The lighting will be the same, skimmer will more than likely be the same, return pump could be the same, etc, etc. Alo worth mentioning that the wider tank will give you a wider stand which will allow for a bigger sump and more room to store you gear.

 

[Nemo2007]

I love the visual effect of my 72G bowfront, its 23 inches wide in the middle but only 13 or so inches on the edges which makes aquascaping in those areas a little tedious. Wider is definately better than taller and thinner. In addition, there shoud be a better surface area for gas exchange in a wider tank.

 

[extremepb319]

Thanks for all the advice. I would prefer a 75 over a 55 however, I am getting the 55 and stand for free from a friend. So i think i am going to try it but im going to try and stack the rock in a way so it maximizes swim space and room while creating lots of hiding spots. I am also going to put about 75 lbs. of LR in it hopefully, as long as the pieces are not too big.

 

[habsfan]

I've got a standard size 55 and I have to agree with what Chris said about the rockscaping. Things get really tight with the narrow width. It's also hard to do any vaccuming because of the tight spaces. If I had to do it all over again I would have gotten something with the same higth and lenght but a larger width. JMO.