Well, it has been since January that I have had a reef tank set up - 20 gal. tall…and I am hooked! I am interested in getting a larger tank(no surprise!), so that I can have more STUFF in it. Currently I have zoas, xenia, and anthelia, along with some fish. I really would like to get some more colorful corals to enjoy. The tank is on an island, and I would convert the 20T into a refugium.
May the suggestions begin? I am thinking either 30, 40, or 55 drilled. I would also be interested in getting this setup used from someone on DRC.
Thanks!
55 min if that is all you have space for. But I would go for a 90 gal tank if I had the space. This would allow you to house a lot more fish if wanted. 30 and 40 imo are just the same in a couple of months for you.
Thanks for the replies. I have only 17" in width on the island, so the max would need to be a 55. I would put the 20T next to (and below) the new tank to act as a refugium. Too much going on to get into a larger system at this time.
What kind of lighting for a 55 would you guys recommend?
Everyone is always dreaming about “the next tank”, lol. This hobby is so addicting.
I would pick a 40g breeder tank over a 55 any day. 55 is a pain in the butt. Hard to light and still not big enough for full grown tangs, rabbitfish, and many other animals. Go as big as you can, but a 55 is aqward(sp?) to aquascape and just a pain in my opinion. Any chance we could get a photo of the island and full dimensions?
the island separates the kitchen from the family room (step down). The dimensions of the shelf are 6’ long x 17" wide x 5’ tall. The 55 would fit well, while the 40 breeder would hang over slightly. Will have to try for a picture later.
I like my 4 bulb T5 lighting with individual parabolic reflectors for my 55, although that is all I have experience with. Fairly low energy cost for the light and ability to change color combinations. I keep Maximas (high light req. clams) on the sand bed and they seem to happy and fine with the lighting.
Ian, what are you using for filtration on your 55? Or did I read that the 55 is now your refugium?
I was hoping the 55 could be drilled, but it sounds like I will need to look for another tank that can. I am limited to a max width of 17" on the island shelf.
I’m currently using a wet/dry half filled w/ bioballs as a sump, it has a pos skimmer, some chaeto, and a few little LRs in it. I’ve got a decent amount of LR in the tank and a 3-4" sand bed in the tank. The 55 will soon be a fuge for the 75…one day
AFAIK most 55s are tempered and not drillable, I think you would have to look into the older 55s for one that can be drilled.
[quote=“IanH, post:10, topic:1780”]
AFAIK most 55s are tempered and not drillable, I think you would have to look into the older 55s for one that can be drilled.[/quote]
Reverse that…The older tanks are not usually drillable. The new tanks are drillable and usually not tempered unless marked.