Upgrade Recommendations

[Squeven]

Hello Hive Mind,

I have been running a BioCube 32 with some upgrades for about 8 months, and I feel it is time to upgrade. I am currently losing the battle with turf algae, and was ready to give up when my wife said we could start a new tank instead. I will be moving my fish, inverts, and coral over after at least a one month cycle.
What does everyone recommend as far as size or brand. The only thing I have set in stone is that I want to have a sump.

Current stock is:
2 Clownfish
1 Firefish
1 Royal Gramma
1 Diamond Goby
Mixed LPS, Softies and 2 healthy LPS.

Thank you in advance for any advice

 

[MONTANTK]

One of my favorite tanks is a 40 breeder because of the dimensions but they don’t come Reef ready. Hard to recommend a size for someone else. I would really think about what your perfect tank/stand consists of. An example for me would be a 3 ft peninsula tank that had a width of at least 18” and is no more than 20” tall. The reason I like the width is I like have islands with enough space to get my gravel vac around the entire island.

Just an example but this is your chance to sit back and address everything you do or don’t like about your current tank and combine it with what you like about others tanks

 

[Squeven]

One of my favorite tanks is a 40 breeder because of the dimensions but they don’t come Reef ready. Hard to recommend a size for someone else. I would really think about what your perfect tank/stand consists of. An example for me would be a 3 ft peninsula tank that had a width of at least 18” and is no more than 20” tall. The reason I like the width is I like have islands with enough space to get my gravel vac around the entire island.

Just an example but this is your chance to sit back and address everything you do or don’t like about your current tank and combine it with what you like about others tanks

40 breeder isn’t a bad idea. This new tank will be transitional. I want bigger than what I have, but a 120 will happen in a few years after we buy a house.

would you recommend HOB for overflow, or drilling for the 40B?

 

[Pistondog]

75 - 100 gallon, min size for many fish and big enough for a 25 gal sump.

Edit, too big if transitional.

 

[Philly Reefer]

Lots of reefers start with 40 breeders.
I do, also drilled the tank myself.
My sump is 20g long.

With sump it will give you more water volume and more flexibility when you upgrade to the 120g in the future.

That's my plan too. When I do get the 120g, this 40B will be converted to a frag tank

 

[Squeven]

75 - 100 gallon, min size for many fish and big enough for a 25 gal sump.

Edit, too big if transitional.

Transitional may not have been the right word. Something bigger that will last a couple of years.

 

[MONTANTK]

40 breeder isn’t a bad idea. This new tank will be transitional. I want bigger than what I have, but a 120 will happen in a few years after we buy a house.

would you recommend HOB for overflow, or drilling for the 40B?

HOB’s scare me so I would drill. If you’re not comfortable drilling the tank you could probably find someone that will drill the holes for $40

 

[jsker]

I like a 75 gallon tanks. Not too big and not top small, just right

I have a hang on the back, If the back glass is not tempered glass, drilling and adding an overflow would be more reliable. one does not lose syphon like the hang on the backs over flows.

 

[Pistondog]

Transitional may not have been the right word. Something bigger that will last a couple of years.

If only a couple of years, maybe do a frag tank.
I think it'd be easier to breakdown and transport.

 

[Macbalacano]

I have a RedSea Reefer 170 and I love it. I think you could go with any of these in their Reefer series product line: https://www.redseafish.com/aquarium-systems/reefer/#data

 

[lm24reef]

40 breeder isn’t a bad idea. This new tank will be transitional. I want bigger than what I have, but a 120 will happen in a few years after we buy a house.

would you recommend HOB for overflow, or drilling for the 40B?

If you are home a lot and check your tank frequently and absolutely cannot get reef ready or are comfortable drilling, a HOB will work fine. However, make sure you maintain the required GPH for the HOB model or you could have trouble. There is quite a bit of maintenance on them like cleaning the U tube frequently, checking for bubbles, making sure you have t a cover on both sides of the overflow in case you get adventurous snails and the list goes on. I found out a few lessons out the hard way while out on vacation of all times, naturally.

Short Answer: Drill or get a reef ready. I own both types and strongly prefer drilled overflows. I have never been able to drill anything smaller than a 40B successfully on my own though.