Best tank size for reef

[Noah Hemingway]

In your opinions what is the best tank size for a reef? I have a 20G long reef that I absolutely love, but I am desperate for a larger reef setup - I just think having more room to grow coral etc would make it even more enjoyable for me! Just wondering what size tanks you think are the best? I think a 100G and upwards

 

[Spare time]

hmm. I really like 125's but the bigger the better. As long as they are not tall and narrow (i'm talking mostly about about 55 gallon tanks lol) then I like them.

 

[Saltyreef]

I really wanted something big coming from nano tanks but ended up deciding a 50g is plenty of maintenance for me to handle with work and the wife

Im sure theres plenty of bigger is better guys here though lol.

 

[mdb_talon]

I dont think there is a "best" size, but personally to look at I prefer a very tall large tank with tiered ledges from front to back. To maintain I prefer a shallow long tank. Having said that I think what some people do with nano tanks looks amazing.

 

[vetteguy53081]

90 or 125 gallon but factor some things:

- your budget
- amount of room available
- Ability to support tank weight
- Stocking plan
- Goals ( reef, fish only or?)
- equipment needed to support tank you choose

 

[Peanut]

get the biggest you can afford that will fit in the space. otherwise, you will always wish you had

 

[zukihara]

Nanos allow for a very intimate experience and big tanks allow for lots of tangs and such. Tradeoffs are everywhere.

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

125 to 220, biggest you can fit

 

[Jon Warner]

I've purchased everything from a 10g to a 3500g Commercial enclosure and I tell everyone that when you take into account the cost of the tank, stand equipment, etc... 48" tanks are the "sweet spot".

The 48" x 36" x 20" size comes to mind... (150g)

 

[vetteguy53081]

the best tank is the one you can afford and one that will fit in the location you desire while not being an impact due to tank weight.

 

[Badboyan93l]

I had a 20, 55 and now a 125g 6ft long, good for for most tangs and stability. Although, 180g is good size I’m really satisfied with my 125g. Bigger than 180g is just pushing it (not knocking on those amazing 200g+ tanks)

 

[KyOsIBa515]

+1 to vetteguy. If you read any book they will say go as big as you can afford. I have found this true because you always will eventually run out of room and always want more.

With that being said rather than basing it off of gallons I personally prefer foot print.

I have found 48” length and beyond to be best. At least for me. It looks good aesthetically and you have better room to space corals. I would prefer a 55 gallon typical starter tank over a 36” 65 gallon.

However, to each their own.

 

[muggle0981]

I had a 120g

Loved it

great dimensions

feel 24” depth is perfect

just upgrade to 180g and done 4 life

 

[LegendaryCG]

Since this is a very expensive hobby, one of the few controls to limit expense is tank size. Things definitely continue to cost more the bigger the tank you run. We don’t all have unlimited funds so it should be a consideration imo as much as the dimensions.

 

[DrewBR]

That is a question that has haunted me for a long time. After a lot of consideration and experience I would say that the best size for a reef is a 120x60x60 cm (close to 4'x2'x2') or something within a 10cm diference on whatever way you would like. I believe that comes up to a 125G. Here are my considerations:

-Good room to play with the most common fish, inverts and corals.
-Decent volume for dilution
-Wide availability of equipment in different price ranges. (Makes it easier to upgrade)
-Good depth and height for your aquascape
-Most likely won't give you structual problems in your house while bigger tanks could

 

[mindme]

I ended up with 180g after doing a bunch of debating. Started out thinking 75-90. Then decided I would really like a 6 ft tank to keep tangs and more fish/coral.

I like the 180g over the smaller 6 ft tanks for the front to back room.

 

[muggle0981]

Cost is to be taken into consideration, but if you are active in hobby should be able to gauge if its in your budget

 

[FishTruck]

For me... having a really big tank is mostly for the fish. So they have room to swim. With just corals, inverts, and some smaller sessile fish - a smaller tank is great.

Another think is how you plant to view the tank. Nose to glass.... a smaller tank is better. Watching from the sofa 10 feet away... bigger.

 

[Sarlindescent]

Can we all be honest here...anything under 500 gallons is just a puddle of corals. On a serious note, I prefer 3ft+ and at least 18 front to back.

 

[muggle0981]

Whats a puddle of corals