Tank Upgrade Recommendations

[Joe Tony]

I'm going to move next year, and I'm planning on upgrading my 30 gallon nano when we move, but I'm torn between 55, 75, 100, and everything in between. I'm not planning on keeping more than 6 or 7 fish (maaaaaybe one big fish, but I'm mostly just interested in clowns, cardinals, gobies, etc.), but plan on having a bunch of inverts, coral, maybe some sponges and macroalgae. I don't want a massive tank that's gonna require a ton of maintenance, and I'm not inerested in sumps, skimmers, and other equipment (just routine water changes and good water temp/movement). I'd like an emphasis on length much more than height, though I want a stand that's tall enough so that I don't crouch to look at the tank, and some width for aquascaping would be good as well.

What are your recommendations?

 

[tricky_tran]

Go big or don’t go home!
Wait. Is that how the saying goes?

I will be upgrading from a 75 to a 190 in about a year.

 

[Terry Le]

I would do 75 or 40B before a 55. The dimensions of the 55 just to hard to scape and it does not look right to me

 

[Joe Tony]

I would do 75 or 40B before a 55. The dimensions of the 55 just to hard to scape and it does not look right to me

That's very helpful. Thanks!

 

[theMeat]

Hey Joe, or Tony, or ahh,
In all my years have to say go big on tank and don’t forget the sump. Would also say 180 is the best size. Too tall and maintenance is more a pita. Unless you go the custom route then it’s whatever you want.

 

[Dolphins18]

I've kept 55,75, and 90 over the years.

I think your decision should be between a 75 and 90. For a 55 to have such a large footprint, it doesn't seem worth it. You aren't really sacrificing additional space by going with the 75 or 90.

90 was hands down my favorite of all of these tanks.

 

[Uncle99]

120G

 

[RJKain-777]

120/150 tall

 

[Terry Le]

Hey Joe, or Tony, or ahh,
In all my years have to say go big on tank and don’t forget the sump. Would also say 180 is the best size. Too tall and maintenance is more a pita. Unless you go the custom route then it’s whatever you want.

I agree I have and had from 6 gallons up to 375 gallons. I love the dimension of the 180 but I think the OP is not looking for some thing that big those special w/o sump and skimmer

 

[Joe Tony]

I agree I have and had from 6 gallons up to 375 gallons. I love the dimension of the 180 but I think the OP is not looking for some thing that big those special w/o sump and skimmer

Yeah, I'm not interested in a giant tank that needs all this equipment and maintenance, just a bigger tank than the 30 gallon I have. Big enough to help with stability and a handful of small, hardy fish with corals and inverts; something within the range of 55 and 80

 

[Joe Tony]

I've kept 55,75, and 90 over the years.

I think your decision should be between a 75 and 90. For a 55 to have such a large footprint, it doesn't seem worth it. You aren't really sacrificing additional space by going with the 75 or 90.

90 was hands down my favorite of all of these tanks.

Thanks

 

[Dark_Knightt]

Bigger is always better, but it does depend on whats in your budget and what you're willing to care for. Bigger tanks are usually better for tank params, and they give you more options for stocking. (Like a powder blue tang wouldnt work in a 75g, but yes in a 100g. Same for yellow tangs, we all love those. )

 

[Joe Tony]

120G

What about 125? That's a size I see coming up a lot for reef tanks

 

[Dark_Knightt]

What about 125? That's a size I see coming up a lot for reef tanks

I believe that 125g is one of the most recommended sizes. For beginners especially, but you have experience with your 30g so 125g would be great. Again, bigger is better.

 

[Reeflux]

I'm going to move next year, and I'm planning on upgrading my 30 gallon nano when we move, but I'm torn between 55, 75, 100, and everything in between. I'm not planning on keeping more than 6 or 7 fish (maaaaaybe one big fish, but I'm mostly just interested in clowns, cardinals, gobies, etc.), but plan on having a bunch of inverts, coral, maybe some sponges and macroalgae. I don't want a massive tank that's gonna require a ton of maintenance, and I'm not inerested in sumps, skimmers, and other equipment (just routine water changes and good water temp/movement). I'd like an emphasis on length much more than height, though I want a stand that's tall enough so that I don't crouch to look at the tank, and some width for aquascaping would be good as well.

What are your recommendations?

I think you may want a skimmer with 55g+ volume. At least a HOB.

Bigger is always better.

 

[polyppal]

I'm going to move next year, and I'm planning on upgrading my 30 gallon nano when we move, but I'm torn between 55, 75, 100, and everything in between. I'm not planning on keeping more than 6 or 7 fish (maaaaaybe one big fish, but I'm mostly just interested in clowns, cardinals, gobies, etc.), but plan on having a bunch of inverts, coral, maybe some sponges and macroalgae. I don't want a massive tank that's gonna require a ton of maintenance, and I'm not inerested in sumps, skimmers, and other equipment (just routine water changes and good water temp/movement). I'd like an emphasis on length much more than height, though I want a stand that's tall enough so that I don't crouch to look at the tank, and some width for aquascaping would be good as well.

What are your recommendations?

Since all of those larger tanks have a fairly similar footprint, I would go with the 100. Any larger tank is prob going to be difficult to keep clean without filtration though

 

[Uncle99]

What about 125? That's a size I see coming up a lot for reef tanks

That’s fine.

 

[Joe Tony]

Bigger is always better, but it does depend on whats in your budget and what you're willing to care for. Bigger tanks are usually better for tank params, and they give you more options for stocking. (Like a powder blue tang wouldnt work in a 75g, but yes in a 100g. Same for yellow tangs, we all love those. )

Funny thing is, as much as I want to have a tang, I want to keep macroalgae more, and I know tangs will eat anything and everything algae, so I'm not really factoring tangs into the mix, but you do make a good point about bigger tanks offering better stability and fish options.

 

[Joe Tony]

I think you may want a skimmer with 55g+ volume. At least a HOB.

Bigger is always better.

I really don't want one man. I'm planning on employing filter feeders and macros, and I'm not interested in a huge amount of fish. I really want to keep the tank as natural as possible and I don't want a ton of equipment to have to keep clean.

 

[Joe Tony]

What about 125? That's a size I see coming up a lot for reef tanks

Between a 75 and 125 gallon, which one would be better for aquascaping in terms of width?