Tank footprint dilemma

[MONTANTK]

Got my favorite Angelfish yesterday (Venustus) and it came in looking great! Current tank is an IM20 peninsula. The size is fine for now but I’m probably going to tank the chance to do a minor upgrade to something more final over the winter.

I’m between an IM25 lagoon and a WB25 peninsula. Both I feel would be good long term homes for the Angel, especially since I tend not to crowd my tank with rocks. If I go with the WB I could fit it on my current stand and I’d only be spending $300. If I go with the IM25 I’ll pick up 3” in tank length, but I’ll also have to spend an extra $350 for a new stand.

Is it worth spending an extra $350 for an extra only 3”??

 

[T-J]

The 3" is really up to you. Really hard asking someone else how they value their money. Most people I know think I'm crazy for spending the amount of money I do I gear and corals. They might be right.

I think the bigger question is peninsula vs non-peninsula. You're comparing two different tanks, which are generally used for two different layouts in the home.

 

[MONTANTK]

The 3" is really up to you. Really hard asking someone else how they value their money. Most people I know think I'm crazy for spending the amount of money I do I gear and corals. They might be right.

I think the bigger question is peninsula vs non-peninsula. You're comparing two different tanks, which are generally used for two different layouts in the home.

In the new house, either tank will really only be viewed from two sides so the configurations are basically the same aside from more room for equipment.

Personally, I don’t think it’s worth the extra money but wanted to get other perspectives

 

[nereefpat]

What are the dimensions of these tanks? I'm not clear on what models we're looking at.

 

[MONTANTK]

What are the dimensions of these tanks? I'm not clear on what models we're looking at.

These are display dimensions

IM25: 23x15.8x11.8

WB25: 20.5x15.7x15.7

 

[nereefpat]

What is the current tank? Is it the 30x12 peninsula?

A forever home for a dwarf angel would be a bigger tank than these options.

 

[MONTANTK]

What is the current tank? Is it the 30x12 peninsula?

A forever home for a dwarf angel would be a bigger tank than these options.

It’s the IM20 drop off so the display is smaller than the other two. Venustus Angels only reach 3.5”-4” max in captivity. Following a formula Jay shared a few months back, both options above would provide sufficient space. 2 or 3 years down the line I do plan on moving up to a 50-60 gallon tank.

 

[HK180]

A dwarf angelfish will need a bigger home than that. You'd probably be better off saving your money and upgrading to a 40-50G display when you can.

 

[lanceinhuntsville]

A dwarf angelfish will need a bigger home than that. You'd probably be better off saving your money and upgrading to a 40-50G display when you can.

I’ve got a Flame Angel that isn’t much bigger than 3” and it already paces end to end in my 36” long 40B. Going to a 120 now, and a lot of the reason is to give it more room to swim. I wouldn’t feel great about either of the options OP gives for mine but I’m not too familiar with the differences in Flames and Venustus to speak authoritatively.

 

[MONTANTK]

I’ve got a Flame Angel that isn’t much bigger than 3” and it already paces end to end in my 36” long 40B. Going to a 120 now, and a lot of the reason is to give it more room to swim. I wouldn’t feel great about either of the options OP gives for mine but I’m not too familiar with the differences in Flames and Venustus to speak authoritatively.

I definitely agree a 40-50 gallon is the better option, which I intend to do a few years down the road, but based on the calculations I did the Venustus should be fine for a while in the 25 gallon. Fwiw, the flame and Venustus get pretty similar in size but the Venustus is much more timid

 

[HK180]

I definitely agree a 40-50 gallon is the better option, which I intend to do a few years down the road, but based on the calculations I did the Venustus should be fine for a while in the 25 gallon. Fwiw, the flame and Venustus get pretty similar in size but the Venustus is much more timid

My concern isn't regarding size, but how much angelfish move through a reef. Similar to flasher wrasses, the dwarf angels I've seen are very active despite their small size and need a larger system than you would expect (heck, my 2" flasher wrasse was so cramped in my 40B, I gave it away).

Upgrading a few inches or gallons just isn't worth it with an active or territorial fish. I highly recommend that you hold off on the 25G and (hopefully within the year) upgrade to a larger system. It doesn't need to be very expensive--you could get a 40-50G tank 50% off during Petco's sales and a stand for ~$55-75.

 

[MONTANTK]

My concern isn't regarding size, but how much angelfish move through a reef. Similar to flasher wrasses, the dwarf angels I've seen are very active despite their small size and need a larger system than you would expect (heck, my 2" flasher wrasse was so cramped in my 40B, I gave it away).

Upgrading a few inches or gallons just isn't worth it with an active or territorial fish. I highly recommend that you hold off on the 25G and (hopefully within the year) upgrade to a larger system. It doesn't need to be very expensive--you could get a 40-50G tank 50% off during Petco's sales and a stand for ~$55-75.

So the main difference in swimming space would be quite dramatic between the two tanks (one I have now and the WB25). The drop off takes up a lot of horizontal swimming space and the tank is much more vertical. The flasher wrasses tend to be more “aggressive” swimmers than angels. The Venustus is also more timid than your average dwarf. With that said, I do agree a 40-50g tank is much more ideal. Ideally I’ll upgrade to a FijiCube 38, IM50 lagoon, or the larger Waterbox peninsula.