What would you do with:

[Indytraveler83]

I’m contemplating a new build for later this year or early next year. It’s either replacing my 54 reef or my 55 planted tank. Just trying to get ideas here.

My space is strictly limited to a 48” tank, and the depth really shouldn’t exceed 20”.
Height is flexible. I’m thinking this likely means a 75 or a 90 gal tank. It’s going to be the first thing in the living room, so it’s a “show” tank of sorts.

I don’t have to go ultra cheap, but the highest end equipment and automation are likely out of the budget.

If this is what you had to work with, what would you do with it? How would you filter, light, stock the aquarium? Starting from scratch (potentially) what would you do with something like this to make the coolest possible display? Would you go reef? FOWLR? Something exotic?

I want your ideas, as I already have thoughts, but want to expand my thinking before I start planning this build.

 

[ReeferReefer]

This is a reef focused site so I am going to vote reef tank.

What kind of corals do you like to keep?

You could do a softie and lps tank as it will require less light and equipment than a full blown sps tank.

• For light I would pick two of your favorite LEDs and go with that. Kessil A360W, AI Hyrda 26 or Radion XR15. A 6 bulb T5 fixture would work well too.

• For flow you could run 2 Icecap Gyre 3k.

• Trigger Ruby 32 for a sump would work well.

• Bubble Magus Curve 5 would be a decent affordable skimmer.

I think it would be cool to make the tank wrasse focused. Lots of movement and color.

 

[Auquanut]

I still keep planted tanks, and can't imagine not having one. I personally would replace the reef with the biggest one I could get in the space, and keep the planted tank. But that's just me. From an economical standpoint, if you're running one planted and one dynamite reef, it might be cheaper than two reefs.

 

[Indytraveler83]

This is a reef focused site so I am going to vote reef tank.

What kind of corals do you like to keep?

You could do a softie and lps tank as it will require less light and equipment than a full blown sps tank.

• For light I would pick two of your favorite LEDs and go with that. Kessil A360W, AI Hyrda 26 or Radion XR15. A 6 bulb T5 fixture would work well too.

• For flow you could run 2 Icecap Gyre 3k.

• Trigger Ruby 32 for a sump would work well.

• Bubble Magus Curve 5 would be a decent affordable skimmer.

I think it would be cool to make the tank wrasse focused. Lots of movement and color.

I’m still really getting to know my tastes on coral, but I have a heavy preference for softies. I also know that trying to run sps in a larger scale system likely exceeds my equipment and potentially time budget. What you describe is essentially the expansion of my current Reef tank, which wouldn’t be a bad option at all!

 

[Indytraveler83]

I still keep planted tanks, and can't imagine not having one. I personally would replace the reef with the biggest one I could get in the space, and keep the planted tank. But that's just me. From an economical standpoint, if you're running one planted and one dynamite reef, it might be cheaper than two reefs.

Right now my planted tank is in the 55. If I did that, I’d shuffle the planted tank to the 54 that is current the reef, then replace the 55 with a 90 or something similar.

I really like my plants... I’m just getting really bored with the residents of that tank. Trying to find interesting fish that are plant friendly is tough.

 

[Auquanut]

Trying to find interesting fish that are plant friendly is tough.

I have predominantly rainbows in my 55. Very active, and don't mess with the plants.

 

[Indytraveler83]

I have predominantly rainbows in my 55. Very active, and don't mess with the plants.

I may switch to heavily that if I can find some quality animals (all the rainbows around here are poor bloodlines and poor coloration) I’ve got a bunch of random stuff in that tank now. The only things I like are my angel and kribensis cichlids.

But I digress. Assuming I keep a planted tank and go with one big saltwater/reef, what would you do?

 

[Sailingeric]

I have a 75 gallon, I am more of a fish person so I have several smaller and colorful fish versus few large fish. I do have some corals, mostly softies and shrooms with a few hammers. Softies give you movement, easy to care for and they grow fast enough that I am able to trade some at the LFS or sale on the local forums. I like a nice sps tank but I dont want to make my tank a full time job.

 

[Sailingeric]

Dup post

 

[Indytraveler83]

I have a 75 gallon, I am more of a fish person so I have several smaller and colorful fish versus few large fish. I do have some corals, mostly softies and shrooms with a few hammers. Softies give you movement, easy to care for and they grow fast enough that I am able to trade some at the LFS or sale on the local forums. I like a nice sps tank but I dont want to make my tank a full time job.

Totally agree with all of that! My favorite coral so far is my “ultra acan” frag, although I’ve got several on order with ACI...