What size tank to go with

[crrichey]

I keep throwing ideas out for aquariums. I want one in my bedroom. I think the best idea would be to make a list of fish I want to keep and then see what people think would be the best size aquarium for that number of fish. As for corals, I want to start my first sps tank.

Fish:
5 Threadfin cardinals (apogon leptacanthus)
1 Firefish (nemateleotris sp.)
1 Brownbarrd Goby (amb;ygobius phalaena)

Also, I want to be able to light the aquarium with a single metal halide fixture. I found a really nice 400W fixture with ballast for like $150 bucks. It is ment for growing plants indoors. I am still seeing if it will fire normal 400W mh bulbs for the reef keeping hobby.

[iCam]

Hey. My 58 is in my bedroom. I would try to keep the tank under/around 70 gallons if you want SPS. My room is already warmer just from VHO's and everything running (coupled with the Texas heat, and the fact my window gets sun all day). I could only imagine how hot your bedroom would be in the Arizona daytime heat with a halide or two on the tank.

[Krim]

I am setting up a 29g(30 x 12) in my bedroom. It will be mostly soft corals with maybe some lps'. The good thing about the 29 or 20l is they can be sufficiently lit with a single MH lamp. I plan to use a single 250w 20k bulb over it so no need for actinics. Also, if you are starting an sps tank consider planning everything around the corals you want rather than the fish. This includes lighting, water flow, sump or not?, skimmer type, etc. Then add those fish that will coexist and compliment your sps setup.. Also consider that stocking a smaller tank will be less expensive. There are some beautiful small(less than 50g) sps tanks out there.

[crrichey]

Yeah I know. My grandmother trys to turn the heat up durring the summer because their room is too cold! What kind of bs is that!?!?! I get pretty darn hot in my room, so I told them that I would trade them (their room is twice the size as mine is, lol), and they said no.

I knew that I was going to keep sps corals in this system. I know what equipment will be required for whatever size tank I go with. The main thing is that I want those fish because they are some of my most favorite fish.

I already have a 29, another one would just be boring, lol! A 20L (long) would be nice though. That would cut down on the fish though. Maybe just a few cardinals and a firefish.

[shilo_1]

I know a lot of people have them, but I would suggest steering clear of a 55g. The are narrow (from front to back) and make aquascaping a bit tougher...well not tougher, you just can't get that deep 3-D look as easily.

Just my 2 cents.

[crrichey]

I don't like 55Gallons eather. They make decent freshwater tanks and possibly prop tanks, but that's about it.

[Reefmaniac1]

I like 75s or 90s. Lots of room front to back, side to side and top to bottom.

[crrichey]

Umm, that might be a bit too big for me. That would involve getting 2 metal halides, or figuring out a way to move the fixture back and forth. That hole thinking think just aint my style. That is why I am having others pick my tank for me, lol! I think that I may go with the 20L. I bet it could be in there for at least a month and no one would notice. I have heard that Remora skimmers fit on them, dispite what the manufacter says.

[Bamm Bamm]

My advise is as big as you can afford.. Just be sure you can keep the tank cool and remember it will be pretty humid in there..

I have my 90g and eclipse 6 in my bedroom. Wait I live in a studio apartment=) But my 90 is only 12 ft or so from my bed and doesn't keep me up I designed it so it's alot quieter than the previous 55 that sat in it's place.. I do have to run my AC 24/7 though for the last 2-3months in order to keep the apartment and tank cool.. At my parents I had a 25g reed in my bedroom and it made it really humid in there..Probably the 250wMH I had on it.

[crrichey]

Well then I guess I will get to remove my humidifier then, lol!

[shred5]

Originally posted by Reefmaniac1
I like 75s or 90s. Lots of room front to back, side to side and top to bottom.

yea a 75 is perfect size esp. with that many fish.. also it has thicker glass..

dave

[Mrbeachbum2]

maybe a 40 breader? http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=2

[crrichey]

There they call it a 40 long. Wow, only 13" deep and 18" wide! That is pretty nice.

[Mrbeachbum2]

should be able to get by with a MH, any other tanks your thinking about?, the people at are LFS have 40 breeders for there salt wat er tanks and it is perfect in my opinion, i wish i had a 40 instead of a 29, easier to aquascape also!

[crrichey]

This lighting would be perfect for such a shallow tank! You could keep practicly anything!

http://reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104190.html

[crrichey]

I like 40 gals, they are nice. I like T-5 lighting too, you could get 8 bulbs over a single 40 long!

[dwarfatize]

I have always wanted to set up a 46 bowfront. It is a good size tank and gives some good room for grow out. Or if you do want to add a second MH a 72 bowfront would be cool too.

[shred5]

That cant be a 40 gallon because they are 36X18X16.. if that is the case that is to small...I have a 40 breeder and it is a great size ... but that is alot of fish for that size tank..

Dave

[crrichey]

Did the math, 36.something gallons. They must have just rounded up, lazy bums. I like that size anyway though. There is no way that I would put that many fish in that size tank though, maybe just the cardinals.

[Mrbeachbum2]

maybe a custom tank? there are some people who would build for your needs

[crrichey]

And charge as if I were a doctor or lawyer!

[Mrbeachbum2]

your spending 419 on those lights? wow

[Mrbeachbum2]

yes doctors a really good profession, i wanna be an anesthesiologist or a orthodontist...school.... and more school...

[fuzyfuzer]

65 is what i would be doing personally good size good depth and lots of water for fish imo

[crrichey]

Mrbeachbum2, they are nice lights, but I dought I will be able to afford them. Just was bringing them up, they seemed nice enough.

[Mrbeachbum2]

yes a 65 would have the shape and depth that you want cody

[crrichey]

But that is a little bit too big for my room. I believe that a 65 would require 2 metal halides as well, correct?

[Mrbeachbum2]

Here is your options:

65 gallon, 2 Metal Halides, all your fish

or

40 Long, 1 metal halide, some of your fish


It all depends on how bad you want those fish in one tank, well you decide

[crrichey]

Not as badly as wanting to save a couple hundred bucks on lighting, lol! Like I said, I could live with just the cardinals.

[needyreefer]

I think you might have a new idea everyday............lol

[crrichey]

Your not kidding. I think I would be a great tank designer, lol!

Well, so far I think that I am going to go with the 40 long.

[crrichey]

Here is a link talking about plans for a 40 gallon. You will notice that I am trying to save money while trying to be different, lol!

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=418369

[needyreefer]

I thought you wanted a tank for your computer room? yea right about the 40g;) you know that tomarrow you'll want a 46g bow. just kidding :)

[crrichey]

No, I wanted one for my bedroom, I am moving my 5.5 gallon to my computer room. I don't like bowfronts, you have to clean the algae from side to side, not up and down. To different for me, lol.

Seriously, I can see the tank in my head. Everything planed out inside my mind.

[dwarfatize]

You know you want the bowfront. It is 6 more gallons and only needs the 1 MH.

[crrichey]

No I don't, I really don't like how they bow everything else in the aquarium.

[Mrbeachbum2]

confusing, confusing, maybe just save your money till you find something you want?

[WifesaysImnuts]

How about a 2 foot cube? 60 gallons with a 2' footprint gives you a decent volume of water that can be lit with one light.

[crrichey]

The only place that I know of that carries thoughs kinds of tanks is The Ocean Floor. They charge a pretty penny for aquariums like that.

[WifesaysImnuts]

That's too bad. I have one but I have no idea what it cost new. I got it used for cheap.

[crrichey]

I think that I will just stick with the 40 gallon (see needyreefer, still the same aquarium, lol, j/k).