the SH tank size disscussion thread...

[Devaji]

I need help Help in choosing a tank size...

so let's start a discussion. I know 30 gal for 1st pair 15 each pair after is standard practice ...
I have been wanting Sh for many years and for some reason I have not? I worked a few extra shifts with the intention of doing something nice for myself...so why not another tank..haha after all I only have 2 it's not like I have a problem or anything...

if you where going to start a SH tank what size would you go with and why? I know it depends on how many I want to keep...min. one pair more like 2. of course they will be CB from Dan.

I have an 75 48x18x24 in storage 4 hrs away I am a renter and think that just to much for another tank. I have a 90- 36x24x24 up and running. that would be a nice size lol
the area i have for it is 36" length max. also would like this tank to be movable by myself so at least easy if I ask for help. that 12mm glass 90 dang thing is sooo heavy.

here are the options I have come up with so far..

the cheapest I have a cpl extra 40br around really like the foot print would love to do a 40/40 DT/sump. 65ish gal volume but would the 18" in height be a problem? I would really like to put these to good use than could spend the $ on a oversized skimmer, chiller for the 3 moths i need it ;/ LR gorgs. and SH. this seams to be the most the best option.

the cube another option is I found (4.5 hr drive each way ) a 60 24x24x24 but in reading that not much surface area for gas exchange dont want GBD. + the drive and time...

the simple a 29H from petco $1 per gallon sale no sump with HOB Simmer and ac70

long and narrow a 55 gal form petco for some reason I really got care for the foot print of the 55 so dont I will go this way. but its an option.

the column buy a new 56 gal column 30x18x24 that such a odd size not sire I will like it. to bad the closes petco is 100 miles each way would be nice to see it in person.

the splurge this option would be a splurge but get a 50 gal 24x 24x20 gal starfire rimless cube PNP system form SCA to match my 90. comes with tank sump skimmer return pump and plumbing. around $700 tho... dont have to leave home for this one...

AIO splurge an IM nuvo 40 gal 24 x 20 19 $350 just for the tank tho. them skimmer not sure even if you can get an over size skimmer for it or do the ATS or keep 2 pair in there prob. could do 3?

the bow front a 36 or 46 gal bow front. not to sure I like this unless I can find a good cheap one with a stand. how is cleaning water flow etc? but added it to the list anyway...

the wait and see just wait a cruse the classifieds and sale threads and see what pop up.
might find a good deal.


so lets open up a Sh tank size thread and see where is goes, hopefully ppl will chime in and we can get a robust thread going.

tell me why you like your size pros and cons.
also if there is anything I am not thinking about I am all ears. ~ I did not add the 29 gal bio cube as I really dont think that there all that good and not good for sh IMHO .

so lets hear your thoughts

 

[Devaji]

oh there is also the JBJ 45 rimless Dimensions: 26.5" x 21" x 19"

 

[Critterheaven]

I think your "cheapest" option is do able. 40G display, 40 G sump. Just put most of the LR in the sump to keep open swimming areas in the display. I think general rule of thumb is two times their length for height. 18 inches would cover that but barely if you get erectus or reidi . You may not have many successful egg transfer idk. But that may not be an issue for you!!

What species are you looking at?

 

[Devaji]

I think your "cheapest" option is do able. 40G display, 40 G sump. Just put most of the LR in the sump to keep open swimming areas in the display. I think general rule of thumb is two times their length for height. 18 inches would cover that but barely if you get erectus or reidi . You may not have many successful egg transfer idk. But that may not be an issue for you!!

What species are you looking at?

thanks for the replay and adding your thoughts to the thread.
yes that is important info on what SH I plan to keep. forgot to add that, got a lil excited with tank sizes and specs...

either H. erectus or H. reidi not 100% sure as of yet just started thinking about this possibility yesterday.

I do like the idea of using what I have and if it would that would be great.
I am also really thinking about the jbj 45...of course more research is needed.

what size of chiller should I be looking for for 50ish gal water volume? does not get to hot here in wyoming but it will be upstairs and it get hotter than I would like for 2 to 3 moths of the year.

 

[vlangel]

I have a Coralife 1/6th hp chiller. It has a built in thermostat so you do not need a controller with it. It is easily maintenanced and it works on tanks up to 70-90 gallons if I remember correctly. You may be able to get by with a 1/10th hp but then if you wanted to upgrade for more ponies you might have to upgrade the chiller too. So if there is any chance of that I would go bigger to start with.

 

[Critterheaven]

Chiller depends on how cool your house is. I am putting a 1/15 on a 75G but I keep my house at 74 in the summer and 70 in the winter so I don't need the chiller to do much. Plus what lights you use etc. If I let the tank go in the summer with no chiller, I don't think it would get any higher than 75 so I don't need to take it down by more than a few degrees. I aim for 72F. I like Arctica chillers.

 

[Devaji]

I live in a barn...yes really and no I was not born in one just live in one...lol anyway its 2nd story conversion that thy stopped 85-90% complete so there are some flaws and it does get pretty warm do to the heat rising my reef has reached 81...but its only a cpl months of the heat and no every day. that said I was still planing on a chiller.

stupid Q? do chillers heat the water to? I mean are they a complete temp control system? or just cooling?
I have never looked in to one before so I really dont know much about them at all.

 

[Devaji]

Ok so I crossed off the bow fronts from the list...

I am playing with a 50 gal rimless from SCA to match my 90.

or keeping it cheap and drive 8 hrs to get a 60 cube for a 100 bucks + gas and time.

but then I still think about the JBJ and IM nuvo AIO but dont think i can skim them as I want. there is a place for the upflow ATS tho..
so all in all I still have no idea :/

 

[Critterheaven]

Lol! I looked at that 50 as well, looks nice. In the end for me personally I felt it was better to go with a sump below so I could max out the skimmer, have room for a chiller and sterilizer etc.

I don't know of any chillers that have heating capability as well.

 

[Devaji]

Lol! I looked at that 50 as well, looks nice. In the end for me personally I felt it was better to go with a sump below so I could max out the skimmer, have room for a chiller and sterilizer etc.

I don't know of any chillers that have heating capability as well.

yeah they are nice. I talked to Steve from SCA its a 12 week wait time to get it custom drilled for external overflows and a $ 100 extra..
the only thing I dont like about my 90 is the center overflow would be nice if they just made all there tanks with external I dont mind keeping the tank 6" from the wall...
so if I do go that way I'll prob. wait the 12 weeks and do it.

I officially decided ageist the AIO. there nice and all but I would rather have a sump and big skimmer..

ok so now options are
the 24x24x20 rimless starfire SCA 50 gal
40/40 breeder drilled with a low profile overflow from modular marine.
used 60 gal 24x24x24 with a 8hr drive to get it.
Im fusion cube tank (non AIO) 40 gal 23.6” x 19.68” x 18.89”. then drill with MM oveflow.

each has there advantages and disadvantages.

good to know about the chillers...by the time I get this up and running might not even need one.

 

[AlexaAzure81]

I use a 29 gal set up with a hob skimmer with 2 erectus. Have been breeding so seem happy. I wouldn't recommend a biocube. I did have issues with gas bubble disease, which I was able to treat, but I have since turned off the uv, I think that was the culprit. I also keep my tank warmer than most.

 

[Devaji]

nice! can you post some pics of your tank?

 

[AlexaAzure81]

nice! can you post some pics of your tank?

I can tomorrow, though it's a little overgrown. Attached is a *not-very-good* pic of my pair. Between a toddler and trying to keep seahorse fry alive (only one has successfully transitioned to frozen), my tanks are a little neglected. The seahorse fry is in a 5.5 gal tank with a bubbler from Walmart and fake rock. I keep seeding pods from my 75 gal. I don't have good luck with corals, and I tend to overfeed so I use the plants to offset that. I'm kind of a slacker when it comes to this hobby.

 

[Devaji]

Beautiful pair! yeah post a ful l tank shot when you can I would like to see how the size looks/feels
I know I would only be able to keep 1 pair but I like the fact I can move it by myself when the time comes... that's a big bonus

 

[Devaji]

Ok guys,
after pricing things out (lights and chiller are$$$) I think I might just do the 40/40 I think I will like that better as I tend to like longer tank anyway and I have two setting around begging to be set up. oh and a metal stand too..and a pump that will fit the bill.

it was a close call with the SCA 50 cube having rimless starfife would have been supper nice but the internal over flow just takes up to much space and it was going to be 100 extra +12 weeks to get it custom drilled.
I like the idea of having a nice stand but I have some ideas for the 40/40 stand.

in the end one factor why I think I am going this way is so I can paint that back blue. I know black and blue are the 2 most common colors for back grounds. my SCA 90 reef has the tinted black and my lil 20L nano has blue I love the blue where the black is just OK.

unless I change my mind on the tank i'll start a build thread...in a cpl days

 

[vlangel]

I think you will be happy with your choice. It allows you to have a sump(which I think is better)which can hold a big skimmer and either a fuge or ats. You can start a pod population in a sump too.

 

[I'm a natural blue]

Ok so I crossed off the bow fronts from the list...

I have a 36 bow front and housed 2 erectus, 2 ocellaris and a pipefish. HOB skimmer and a canister filter. I had major issues with GHA. I ended up taking the tank down and starting over. I added a sump and hubs build overflows into it. It's cycling now and I've totally changed the set up. In hind sight, I wish I had gone bigger. I do love the look of the bow front though. Pics are of the old tank and the new set up. I'm not settled on the aquascape yet in the new set up but I'm trying to give more top space for them to swim. Looking forward to seeing your build thread...Tag me? Best wishes!!!

 

[Devaji]

yeah I was always gonna do a sump. unless I went with the jbj 45 or IM 40 and that was a long shot for those tanks but did want to give them a far chance.
really it was always between the 40brs the 50 sca (has a sump ) or the used 60 24" cube.

I did found a sweet deal on a rimless 93 Gal. 30x30x 24 cube for $600 with stand and some goodies. but it was 8hr drive one way + got to thinking that is just to big for me right now in my little place it would have been to much. but it was tempting.

 

[AlexaAzure81]

Everyone's tanks are so nice! I don't know why my water is always cloudy. I guess it has been a bit since we have done a water change. Plus I assume that there have been more fry that I haven't been able to save. The one batch I got was cuz the male was in a hospital tank when he gave birth and that was at least a couple hundred. The 2nd time I was only able to recover 15 from this tank.

No chiller on this tank either. Reef octopus hob skimmer. In addition to 2 erectus, there's a yellow watchman, green clown goby, and a purple fire fish.

 

[Devaji]

^ nice lil tank. maybe run some carbon or filter floss to polish the water? I cant wait to have SH buddies.