Having trouble deciding on a tank size

[mntbiker2008]

Hey all,

I have been lurking on this site for a few weeks now gathering information on my next tank build. I have had 2 SW tanks (55 fowlr and a 40b reef) in the past but it has been a few years. One of my biggest dilemmas right now is lack of space. I have a corner in my house that I will have to find a way to fit this tank in to. There really isn't any other areas in the house it could go unfortunately (one of the downfalls of having a tri-level) I have figured out the max I can go is about 3ft wide and about 3ft deep. I was not a fan of the 40b because of how shallow it was. I have seen that Aqueon makes 65 gallon tanks that are essentially the same foot print as the 40b but taller, which is perfect....however, those tanks are difficult to come across.

Can you fellow reefers give me some suggestions on what I can do/ what tank size I should look at?

I am going to be doing another reef tank and would like to get as large of a tank as possible while staying in the 3ftx3ft area. I have also considered going custom and building my own tank to my specifications but don't have enough confidence to make something that won't leak.

Thanks in advanced!

 

[Retro Reefer]

Welcome to R2R!! Hard to beat a 40B if that’s all the space you have.. having a deeper tank has its disadvantages such as light penetration and reaching the bottom of tank for coral placement and maintenance

 

[mntbiker2008]

Thanks! IF I am able to find a 65, do you think the depth on that would be sufficient to work with?

 

[Dmsick]

Not sure where you've looked for tanks but there are some options out there. SCA has 66g and 80g that are 32x24. I don't have any connection to them other than being a satisfied customer.

 

[mrpizzaface]

You could do a 50 breeder.

 

[Dan Korczak]

Don’t forget to consider the floor and structure supporting all this weight.

The spot you have in mind will probably be fine for a year or two, but may not be able to support a 1000+ static load for 5-10 years.

 

[mntbiker2008]

You could do a 50 breeder.

That is definitely an option I haven't considered. Thanks!

Don’t forget to consider the floor and structure supporting all this weight.

The spot you have in mind will probably be fine for a year or two, but may not be able to support a 1000+ static load for 5-10 years.

It will be on a concrete slab floor so no worries there! Thanks!

 

[BedrockIOMC]

I would see if a LFS could order you one like that 65. Or see if they had some other tank that would work for you. Have you looked on Aqueon website and see if you can order it from them?

 

[Brett newell]

How about a bow front corner tank? I think aqueon makes a 54 gallon corner tank

 

[mntbiker2008]

I would see if a LFS could order you one like that 65. Or see if they had some other tank that would work for you. Have you looked on Aqueon website and see if you can order it from them?

I haven't had a chance to check with any of the shops around here but will be doing that this weekend.

Aqueon isn't popping anything up for me unfortunately.

How about a bow front corner tank? I think aqueon makes a 54 gallon corner tank

I have also considered a bow front. Ideally, I'd like to stick with a flat tank that way I can easily make a canopy for it but if it comes down to it, I'm sure I can manage to build a curved canopy. I like being able to hide my lighting and everything.

 

[Jesterrace]

Welcome to R2R!! Hard to beat a 40B if that’s all the space you have.. having a deeper tank has its disadvantages such as light penetration and reaching the bottom of tank for coral placement and maintenance

Agreed on the deeper tank. My 90 gallon is just over 2 feet deep and it is a pain to clean and work on. @ the OP, Personally I would figure out what kind of fish you would want and then go from there. I also agree that a 40 breeder is tough to beat given the dimensions you have.

 

[mntbiker2008]

Agreed on the deeper tank. My 90 gallon is just over 2 feet deep and it is a pain to clean and work on. @ the OP, Personally I would figure out what kind of fish you would want and then go from there. I also agree that a 40 breeder is tough to beat given the dimensions you have.

Thanks! I am happy to hear from someone that has that depth I am looking for. I am starting to reconsider the 40b again. I do love the footprint it has and how I was able to easily scape it. That is the one thing I hated about the 55 I originally had. I suppose I could just make the stand taller to give it a "taller" appearance.

 

[shred5]

Hey all,

I have been lurking on this site for a few weeks now gathering information on my next tank build. I have had 2 SW tanks (55 fowlr and a 40b reef) in the past but it has been a few years. One of my biggest dilemmas right now is lack of space. I have a corner in my house that I will have to find a way to fit this tank in to. There really isn't any other areas in the house it could go unfortunately (one of the downfalls of having a tri-level) I have figured out the max I can go is about 3ft wide and about 3ft deep. I was not a fan of the 40b because of how shallow it was. I have seen that Aqueon makes 65 gallon tanks that are essentially the same foot print as the 40b but taller, which is perfect....however, those tanks are difficult to come across.

Can you fellow reefers give me some suggestions on what I can do/ what tank size I should look at?

I am going to be doing another reef tank and would like to get as large of a tank as possible while staying in the 3ftx3ft area. I have also considered going custom and building my own tank to my specifications but don't have enough confidence to make something that won't leak.

Thanks in advanced!

That 65 any lfs should be able to order it for you. also Deep Blue also makes a 65 gallon with the same dimensions.

You may want to look at a Marineland deep dimensions which is 150 gal (36" x 36" x 27")
Also there is a 93 cube made by Marineland.

I am a little afraid of Marineland after having a faulty tank myself and hearing how many others have.

Deep blue has a 60 gallon cube.... there are several other cubes and cubes are great.

 

[Redleg]

I've got a 60g cube and wish I would have gone with the 93g.

 

[mntbiker2008]

That 65 any lfs should be able to order it for you. also Deep Blue also makes a 65 gallon with the same dimensions.

You may want to look at a Marineland deep dimensions which is 150 gal (36" x 36" x 27")
Also there is a 93 cube made by Marineland.

I am a little afraid of Marineland after having a faulty tank myself and hearing how many others have.

Deep blue has a 60 gallon cube.... there are several other cubes and cubes are great.

Thanks! I will check with them to see what they can do.

I too, am a little hesitant on Marineland as I came home one day to my 65 gallon cichlid tank with half the water on the floor. Never had any issues with any of the Aqueon tanks!

I have been checking out the cube tanks too and really like those.

 

[JoshH]

Miracles Aquariums makes a lot of tanks in similar dimensions as Marineland including a 36x36x24 cube. Standard size but you can customize returns and overflows however you like.

 

[mntbiker2008]

Miracles Aquariums makes a lot of tanks in similar dimensions as Marineland including a 36x36x24 cube. Standard size but you can customize returns and overflows however you like.

Thank you! I will check them out as well!

 

[glb]

I vote for a 40g. I love mine and it fits in a niche of my bedroom. I love the size.

 

[mntbiker2008]

Thanks!