tank size recommendations

Tmm87 · Sep 1, 2017

I'm looking to set up a tank in my room to give it some eye candy but space for it is limited. I've got room for a 36" tank easily in the spot I want it to go. I could do longer, up to 48", but that would leave about a foot hanging out past the wall that I want the tank to sit against.

Whatever I end up with I'd like it to be somewhat shallow as I don't want to spend a fortune lighting it (already planning to shell out for a nice T5 for my 120) and I don't want to have to reach in up to my shoulder to place things on the bottom or perform maintenance.

Just looking for recommendations on tank size and important equipment that would be somewhat budget friendly as well as give me the most real estate available inside the tank. I've looked around on Craigslist and some other places but there's nothing really available there that fits my needs and is reasonably priced or it's just total garbage.

Initial thought was a 40 breeder but I don't know if I'd be happy with that size. I also don't trust myself to build my own tank to fit in the space I have. I don't plan to go heavy on stocking fish but I would like ample space for the corals I put in there to grow and have it look natural and not cramped.

Would lighting requirements change for a 48" tank as opposed to a 36" if I'm running LEDs? I know they have a specific coverage area, but if I'd need 2 to cover a 36" and 2 for a 48" it seems like a no brainer.

leahfiish · Sep 1, 2017

40 breeder unless you can go up to a 75 or a 120. Lighting will depend on the corals you want, if you want lots of sps you will probably need 2 lights with either size but if you're doing a lot of softies and lps and arrange your rockwork accordingly you could make one light (like a kessil) work on a 40, at least for a while. There are also some lights that are well suited for 3' tanks that are a lot cheaper than the 4" models. Depends on what kind of corals you want though.

Tmm87 · Sep 1, 2017

leahfiish said:
40 breeder unless you can go up to a 75 or a 120. Lighting will depend on the corals you want, if you want lots of sps you will probably need 2 lights with either size but if you're doing a lot of softies and lps and arrange your rockwork accordingly you could make one light (like a kessil) work on a 40, at least for a while. There are also some lights that are well suited for 3' tanks that are a lot cheaper than the 4" models. Depends on what kind of corals you want though.

Right now I keep mostly softies and LPS but I'd want to be able to keep anything in this one. A 4 foot 120 would be too big, I have one upstairs and it's a pain to get to the bottom to clean and place things. I need a step stool despite being fairly tall.