Purchasing Advice for 3 Foot Tank

SelectedByNature · Jan 9, 2019

Hello,

I currently have an AIO cube that is my first reef and has been running for 2 years but I am looking to upgrade to a larger tank very soon.

I'm looking for advice or just a list of 3 foot tanks to choose from. Price isn't an issue and all high-end options would be welcome considerations, but coming from the nano world and not being familiar with larger tanks, I'm having trouble finding what different buying options are available.

I'm flexible on the shape and size but it would have to be 36 inches long. If it is to include a stand it would have to be white...

Thanks in advance!

Crabs McJones · Jan 9, 2019

The red sea reefer might be a good option for you. The 250 is a 35.5 inch long 54 gallon tank that comes with a choice of white or black stand. I plan on getting one someday lol.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/deluxe-reefer-250-complete-system-54-gal-red-sea.html

SelectedByNature · Jan 9, 2019

Crabs Mcjones said:
The red sea reefer might be a good option for you. The 250 is a 35.5 inch long 54 gallon tank that comes with a choice of white or black stand. I plan on getting one someday lol.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/deluxe-reefer-250-complete-system-54-gal-red-sea.html

Thanks for the reply!

Awesome tank to be sure. I was also considering the Waterbox but I hear they are loud. Probably can't go wrong with Red Sea though!

I would consider IM Nuvo 75 EXT is the stand came in white. It's a bit pricey too without a sump included etc. But I don't know of any other options in the 3 foot range.

gtrider · Jan 9, 2019

I can't recommend CTC enough. I have a 65g starphire tank from them and it's stunning! They have lots of options to chose from to help you build a custom tank.
http://coasttocoastaquariums.com/

Jimbo662 · Jan 9, 2019

SCA also makes a great quality tank.

andrewkw · Jan 9, 2019

Since price is not an issue perhaps you should consider a custom built. You mention it must be 36" long but what about deep? You could get something built to exactly the size you want. Maybe you'd enjoy a deeper tank or a shallower tank then normal ect.

SelectedByNature · Jan 9, 2019

gtrider said:
I can't recommend CTC enough. I have a 65g starphire tank from them and it's stunning! They have lots of options to chose from to help you build a custom tank.
http://coasttocoastaquariums.com/

Awesome thanks! I've never heard of them and the tanks/options look great and diverse!

SelectedByNature · Jan 9, 2019

Jimbo662 said:
SCA also makes a great quality tank.

Thanks I'll have a look at them too!

BestMomEver · Jan 9, 2019

I would suggest you buy the LONGEST tank you can afford, regardless of volume. Remember, the vast majority of fish swim side to side, not up and down. Also, the longer the tank, the more floor real estate you have to put stuff. Anything deeper than 24” is really hard to maintain. I’m 6’1” and can hardly reach the bottom of my 60 cube. I really like the Red Sea tanks. If you’ve never seen one in person, I can tell you that they are gorgeous. Simple, clean, beautiful glass and well made. I can’t comment on the others. But get something 36” at the minimum. Try to get something in the 4-6 foot range if you can. As always, the bigger the better for stability. But the bigger, the more expensive to run. For everyone, there is a sweet spot somewhere in there.

SelectedByNature · Jan 9, 2019

BestMomEver said:
I would suggest you buy the LONGEST tank you can afford, regardless of volume. Remember, the vast majority of fish swim side to side, not up and down. Also, the longer the tank, the more floor real estate you have to put stuff. Anything deeper than 24” is really hard to maintain. I’m 6’1” and can hardly reach the bottom of my 60 cube. I really like the Red Sea tanks. If you’ve never seen one in person, I can tell you that they are gorgeous. Simple, clean, beautiful glass and well made. I can’t comment on the others. But get something 36” at the minimum. Try to get something in the 4-6 foot range if you can. As always, the bigger the better for stability. But the bigger, the more expensive to run. For everyone, there is a sweet spot somewhere in there.

Great thanks!

The reason for 3 foot is mainly that I already have a 36 inch T5H0/Kessil 360X hybrid fixture that I would like to utilize, and I do appreciate the smaller footprint for aesthetics and cost-saving. I also have a 4 foot planted tank and having to huge aquariums may be pushing boundaries a tad. Haha

People rarely seem to have anything bad to say about the Reefer tanks... I suppose I should consider it seriously.

Rcollick · Jan 9, 2019

SelectedByNature said:
Thanks for the reply!

Awesome tank to be sure. I was also considering the Waterbox but I hear they are loud. Probably can't go wrong with Red Sea though!

I would consider IM Nuvo 75 EXT is the stand came in white. It's a bit pricey too without a sump included etc. But I don't know of any other options in the 3 foot range.

I have the IM EXT 75 and love it. The external overflow is awesome. It doesn't take up valuable real estate in you tank and it's dead quiet. I paired mine with a trigger 26.

Ghost463 · Jan 9, 2019

My 45 gallon fluval bow is 36" at base and lid. This is a sweet tank

SelectedByNature · Jan 9, 2019

Ghost463 said:
My 45 gallon fluval bow is 36" at base and lid. This is a sweet tank

I had one of these once upon a time!

SelectedByNature · Jan 9, 2019

Rcollick said:
I have the IM EXT 75 and love it. The external overflow is awesome. It doesn't take up valuable real estate in you tank and it's dead quiet. I paired mine with a trigger 26.

Ah man sounds great TBH. I like IM and I don't know why there are so few external overflow options these days. :[

Nuvo EXT 75 is a contender for me, I would have to figure out an alternative white cabinet... Did you get the APS stand?

Rcollick · Jan 9, 2019

SelectedByNature said:
Ah man sounds great TBH. I like IM and I don't know why there are so few external overflow options these days. :[

Nuvo EXT 75 is a contender for me, I would have to figure out an alternative white cabinet... Did you get the APS stand?

I built my stand. It's still not complete though. My son though it would be a cool project for us to do together so how could I pass on that. Honestly it's level but it could of turned out better. I still need to do the trim and the doors.

SelectedByNature · Jan 9, 2019

Rcollick said:
I built my stand. It's still not complete though. My son though it would be a cool project for us to do together so how could I pass on that. Honestly it's level but it could of turned out better. I still need to do the trim and the doors.

Awesome. Well I hope it turns out nice!

BestMomEver · Jan 9, 2019

SelectedByNature said:
Great thanks!

The reason for 3 foot is mainly that I already have a 36 inch T5H0/Kessil 360X hybrid fixture that I would like to utilize, and I do appreciate the smaller footprint for aesthetics and cost-saving. I also have a 4 foot planted tank and having to huge aquariums may be pushing boundaries a tad. Haha

People rarely seem to have anything bad to say about the Reefer tanks... I suppose I should consider it seriously.

Didn’t realize you had the light and other tank. If you decide to upgrade to a larger tank, you can always hang that light for a better spread... unless you already do that.

Anyway... the reefer is a dream of mine....

Water Dog · Jan 9, 2019

Check out Crystal Dynamics Aquariums. Customizable overflow options (I’d get a Modular Marine or Exotic Marine Systems Overflow) and custom stand choices and colors available. Look at the 75 gallon (36x24x20) in either rimless or eurobraced.

https://cdaquarium.com/collections/frontpage/products/easy-reef-aquarium-systems-62-to-100-gallons

JoshH · Jan 10, 2019

No reason why a 3 Foot fixture won't look and function excellent on a 48" Tank. Most people don't have wall to wall coral in there tanks anyway so the 6" on either end of not 100% coverage should be no big deal IMO. Honestly the list of good tanks is pretty extensive, especially when price isn't an issue lol. All the ones mentioned above are all excellent choices. And as someone mentioned above, if you have no money constraints (with in reason). You might as well shop around for a totally custom tank and get EXACTLY what you want, most custom tanks contrary to popular belief (even reef savvy) aren't exactly budget busters when your looking in your size range and the quality of most of them is unreal...