15 or 20 gallons: does 5 gallons make a big difference?

[PolypPocket]

I’m looking to upgrade my current 6 gallon cube for something bigger yet affordable. There are two options I’ve found, one is a 15 gallon for $130 (shipped) and the other is a 20 gallon for about $280. I’m wondering if the extra 5 gallons is worth $150? I mean both tanks are technically nano and both are muuuuch better than 6 gallons. I like the cube look better than the standard long or lagoon.

If it matters, one is from waterbox and the other from innovative marine. Both are excellent companies as far as what I’ve read online.

I would still need to buy lighting and that is what will be the expensive thing I think.

 

[Tahoe61]

What about the IM 20?
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/20-nuvo-fusion-aio-long-aquarium-innovative-marine.html

Yes, I have both, get the IM 20.

 

[Decamicron Labs Verified Sponsor]

I'd suggest always going for the largest you can get. That's 33% more volume, so 33% less water changes for the same results.

 

[kevgib67]

I think it really depends on what you want to keep in there especially fish wise. Typically bigger is better. I really doubt down the road you’ll be thinking “ I wish I went smaller.”

 

[ogtumblruser]

5 gallons = more surface area = more corals lol

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

IMO it doesn't really make a difference..... the 5 gallons doesn't really let you keep more fish, 3 or perhaps 4 fish is still the max for either tank IMO, And you only get 1" or 2" more on the dimensions, so its not really more space for corals.
I would get whichever is most economical or on sale.

 

[PolypPocket]

What about the IM 20?
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/20-nuvo-fusion-aio-long-aquarium-innovative-marine.html

Yes, I have both, get the IM 20.

I saw that one, it’s just I like the cube shape

 

[PolypPocket]

I'd suggest always going for the largest you can get. That's 33% more volume, so 33% less water changes for the same results.

That’s true, so easier to deal with probably

 

[PolypPocket]

I think it really depends on what you want to keep in there especially fish wise. Typically bigger is better. I really doubt down the road you’ll be thinking “ I wish I went smaller.”

Haha true

I’d like to get a boyfriend for my mandarin, but mostly I’m interested in the corals

 

[PolypPocket]

5 gallons = more surface area = more corals lol

True…I guess if I think about it 5 gallons is about what I have now, so it is a significant amount when it’s a small tank

 

[Uncle99]

If you like like the cube, then cube it is.
Both those manufacturers are good IMM.
Both glass boxes a will be stunning.

 

[Fish Fan]

Here's one more consideration if you're hoping to make this a budget build: The 20 gallon tank may be 24" long, and that length can be hard to light with just one pendant style light. You may need two lights to prevent shadows and dark areas, whereas the 15 gallon almost certainly can be lit with one light.

 

[PolypPocket]

IMO it doesn't really make a difference..... the 5 gallons doesn't really let you keep more fish, 3 or perhaps 4 fish is still the max for either tank IMO, And you only get 1" or 2" more on the dimensions, so its not really more space for corals.
I would get whichever is most economical or on sale.

That was my original thought as well, but on the other hand 5 more gallons might help with stability. I’m finding the 6 gallon a challenge in terms of keeping stable parameters, so I assume the bigger the better.

 

[Reef Jedi]

I was literally eyeballing the IM 20 earlier today to move my clowns and anemones into. I’d go with the 20

 

[PolypPocket]

Here's one more consideration if you're hoping to make this a budget build: The 20 gallon tank may be 24" long, and that length can be hard to light with just one pendant style light. You can need two lights to prevent shadows and dark areas, whereas the 15 gallon almost certainly can be lit with one light.

Yes exactly what I was thinking too

 

[PolypPocket]

I was literally eyeballing the IM 20 earlier today to move my clowns and anemones into. I’d go with the 20

I just wish they made it in the cube shape

 

[kevgib67]

Haha true

I’d like to get a boyfriend for my mandarin, but mostly I’m interested in the corals

 

[PolypPocket]

Haha true

I’d like to get a boyfriend for my mandarin, but mostly I’m interested in the corals

Omg I love them, so so so beautiful

I cannot get good photos of mine, she sees the camera and swims away. It’s like she knows lol

These are the best I could do yesterday

 

[kevgib67]

Omg I love them, so so so beautiful

I cannot get good photos of mine, she sees the camera and swims away. It’s like she knows lol

These are the best I could do yesterday

They are such beautiful fish!

 

[overhead]

I have two cube shaped tanks and one more normal classic rectangle shaped tank. I would not buy another cube. They look cool, but unless one stacks rocks pretty high, one ends up with a bunch of space toward the top of the tank that is unused. The extra volume of water is still good, I guess, but I don't really use it....and neither do the fish or corals. I guess I really did not answer your question, but I would rather have like a 20 gallon lagoon instead of a larger cube shaped tank. The two cubes I have were the first tanks I purchased, the 40 breeder shaped tank was the last. More room to allow fish to have their own territory on/in the rocks without constantly seeing the other fish, more sand surface area for invert or fish that use the sand, most rock surface area to place coral, etc, etc.