Which tank

[Hbhirschey]

I have a 46 gallon bow drilled and ready for water. But for some reason the 40g breeder is pulling my attention. Looking for recommendations

 

[Crabs McJones]

The 40B will always have a place in my heart as my first tank. But if you already have the 46 drilled and ready to go, why not use it?

 

[Hbhirschey]

The 40B will always have a place in my heart as my first tank. But if you already have the 46 drilled and ready to go, why not use it?

I'm afraid I won't like the distortion vs just having normal panels.

Being this is my first saltwater tank, I didn't want to go to big and got a good deal on the bow FRONT. So who knows if I stay hooked, this tank may not be around to long.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Sounds like either tank will be short-lived. Fill the 46 and start..... you already have it drilled and ready.

I would also start looking at you “forever” tank now..... plan and save

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'm afraid I won't like the distortion vs just having normal panels.

Being this is my first saltwater tank, I didn't want to go to big and got a good deal on the bow FRONT. So who knows if I stay hooked, this tank may not be around to long.

Good thought. Are you set at 40B? or could you potentially go bigger such as 75 or even 90, which carry the same footprint as the 40B except they're a foot longer

 

[Pntbll687]

I'm afraid I won't like the distortion vs just having normal panels.

Being this is my first saltwater tank, I didn't want to go to big and got a good deal on the bow FRONT. So who knows if I stay hooked, this tank may not be around to long.

The distortion isn't anything to worry about. I had a 92 bowfront I believe. It was drilled and was a nice tank. The biggest pain was the size of the sump area in the stand, that was the only downside it had.

 

[Hbhirschey]

Good thought. Are you set at 40B? or could you potentially go bigger such as 75 or even 90, which carry the same footprint as the 40B except they're a foot longer

If and when I upgrade it'll probably be over 100g

 

[Hbhirschey]

The distortion isn't anything to worry about. I had a 92 bowfront I believe. It was drilled and was a nice tank. The biggest pain was the size of the sump area in the stand, that was the only downside it had.

That's good to know. I have this tank set to run a bean animal and installed a custom in tank C2C Overflow 4“ wide.

I rebuilt the stand to stuff a 20l in there so I feel the pain with the limited area the stand has.

 

[S2G]

The bowfronts have giant bracing down the center on top right? That could be a pain with lighting. If it's drilled and has a stand etc then that will probably save you $$.

40b is my favorite smaller tank. I'm thinking of replicating the brs 5min series 40b. It might interest you as well.

Drilling a 40b is easy though.

 

[Hbhirschey]

It does have a brace about 1.5" wide. Drilled and ready to roll stand and all. I never thought a out the light issues.

 

[Pntbll687]

It does have a brace about 1.5" wide. Drilled and ready to roll stand and all. I never thought a out the light issues.

If you're already thinking of upgrades you have two ways to go.
1. Go overboard on the lights, like an AP700 or radion xr30 and use the light when you upgrade
Or
2. Get something used but will work, like a t5 fixture or some cheaper led.

I'm a frugal person so I would go used first, it also wouldn't tie you down on lighting when you upgrade