considering getting a larger tank. Any suggestions?

[Captain Jack]

I have a 30 gallon long mixed reef (softie, lps, sps, etc), and I think I'll eventually (few months) want to upgrade to a larger tank. I am on a relatively low budget, so I'd like to keep the 36" length footprint to reuse all existing equipment, but go deeper, maybe bowfront, etc. So I think 45-50ish gallons would be about as big as I could go with that length. I'm thinking I would only get new tank and stand to minimize cost but get it reef-ready so that I could add sump later.

Any suggestions on what to look for in a tank? Would bowfront be the best way to get maximum gallons fron a 3 foot tank? anything I should avoid? How about **where** to shop for tanks for us low-budget types? I'm thinking save up money and wait for someone to sell a used one on here. Any advice is welcome.

[CoryDude]

Pesonally, I like deeper tanks that also have a good sized front to back width. Gives you a lot of options on your rockwork. It's pretty much up to yor personal preferences.

As far as places in SA, Alamo Aquatics can usually get you a good deal. I ordered a custom made drilled 60 gallon cube tank with an overflow for around $200 last summer. Glasscages is also an online site a lot of members recommend.

[dustint21]

I agree! Go deeper. I think a 40 breeder or a 50 cube.

[Joshua]

Just can't beat the 40 breeder dimensions, if you want more water and vertical room you can get a 58 with same dimensions but taller.

[mariog]

You could get a 65 gal tall. 36"x18"x24".

[Troutmasters02]

I own a 65 gallon thats 36"x18"x24" and I wish the tank was deeper. If I could do it over again, I'd go with a 24" deep tank. Click my signature to see the rock work that almost became a cliff because of the tank dimensions.

[alton]

58 gal. fits your foot print and if you look in the for sale thread here on MAAST there are some for sale. If you want to go on a limb then walk into Alamo Aquatics and look at the couple of Deep Sea Aquatic Reef ready 70 gal. tanks, stands and canopies that Eddie has for sale.

[Captain Jack]

Thanks for all the feedback. One thing I need to clarify, when I said 'deep' I meant front to back distance. I have 6 T5 bulbs, but I know they don't penetrate like the halides. Is that something I should worry about with getting a taller tank?

What have other meant in comments with 'depth'? front to back, or top to bottom. What is the generally accepted meaning of depth in regarding to fish tanks?

[Captain Jack]

I was just checking out glasscages, looks like I could go up to 175 gallons keeping the 36 inch length, haha. not that I want to go that big, I just had no idea I COULD. I don't think it would make it up the stairs to my apartment.

175 Square 36 x 36 x 31 Tall

This is probably about the largest I would want to consider: 65 Wide 36 x 24 x 17 Tall; larger than that and I would have to replace a lot of equipment.

[Mr Cob]

Jack, I like that foot print. 24" is the width of my 120g tank. The depth from front to back is nice for aquascaping, it gives you lots of options...

[CoryDude]

Jack,

I run 4 t-5's on my 60 cube (2'X2'X2') and it's more than enough for my lps ie, open and closed brains, pogoda cup, euphylia sp., etc.

[akm]

So the only thing providing boundaries for the size of you new tank is what your existing equipment can handle. So your lights, 6 t-5's can do the job but only if you have great reflectors for each bulb and are able to replace them often, otherwise a metal halide or two in addition would make it much easier for you to maintain sps. The next thing to consider which might even be more important than light is your filtration ability. What kind of skimmer do you have, and do you have any others type of filtration methods like carbon, canister, or refugium? The final thing is water flow. I'm sure you will need to increase the number of pumps/powerheads you have for a new tank. Also I'd advise against getting a bow front tank, I used to have a 90 gallon bow and the shape I thought to be a big pain when it comes to aquascaping. I think breeder style tanks are much better for ease and asethetics. So lower height and deeper width.

[corkyGramma]

I have a 45 X-tall show tank that is 30"L! If you can find one you wouldn't have to change stands. I love mine.

[Captain Jack]

I'm running an eheim canister and aqua-c remora skimmer, both rated to around 60 gallons. I have a CPR large aquafuge (2' long, *barely* fits along back with skimmer squeezed in). Besides the lighting, those are what I consider the expensive equipment. Needing to get more/larger powerheads is not such a big deal.

I would probably not need any more live rock. My existing configuration is *packed* with live rock, so I would be able to open it up more with more width. I also wouln't plan to increase my fish stocking, just let the lil guys I have grow out.

So bottom line is if I could get a tank:


That significantly increased my current volume. I like the breeder style. (45 gal is probably not enough of an increase; it will still cost a couple hundred to upgrade, and then I'll probably wish I had larger soon after, haha)
That is not larger than about 65 gallons and is 36" long (to reuse lights, skimmer, canister)
Tank that is reef ready so I could upgrade to sump later (later so that I don't have to immediately eat the investment of a sump, and in-sump skimmer, etc)
Only other anticipated additional costs would be a stand, sand, and maybe powerheads.
All for around a couple hundred dollars. Or costs more but comes with sump etc, but this will take some more time to save up for.

I'm not really expecting to buy now, just trying to figure out what I want to set my sights on and watch for. Thanks for all the suggestions!

[Richard]

All for around a couple hundred dollars.

I got a set up I'd like to get rid of that might fit your bill. It's never been used, just taking up space in my house and collecting dust for around 4 years.

Tank is an OceanView "62 tub" (36" x 18" x 25"H) with black trim
Unfinished Oak Stand
Acrylic Sump with fuge

It's reef ready but the overflow is around 6" short since I was going to do a lagoon style mangrove setup. So you'd have to get Ace or someone to make a new overflow for you.

Anyway, $200 if you want it. Like I said, it's never had water in it so I won't make any promises that it doesn't leak but it shouldn't, silicone is in perfect shape. PM me if you're interested.

[brewercm]

Nice deal.
I was going to say that I'm running a 58 gal with the TX5 T5 lighting system and I'm sure I can keep just about anything I want in that thing.

Cliff