50 vs 70 gallon.

[EtxReefer]

Apologize in advance for the long post.

I am moving states in the next few months and am deciding on what tank to take.

I currently have a 48” 75 gallon, and will be taking all the fish (just 2 clowns, orchid dottyback, watchmen goby, and yellow coris), all rock, and most sand.

I am currently building my own stand for the new tank. I am debating between a 36x18x17 roughly 50g tank or 36x18x25 70g tank.

We are downsizing houses so want a tank that’s shorter in width. Either way the stand is going to be the same dimensions. Would you get a 50g or a tall 70g?

For what it’s worth I’ll have the largest fuge I can fit underneath and an oversized skimmer.

 

[Fish Fan]

I would personally go for the 50 over the taller 70, I don't think you gain much with that height. But what about splitting the difference, and getting a 65 Tub; 36"x18"x24". This is a very popular tank size:

Marineland 65 Gallon Tank Black 36x18x24 SD-3 308475 047497106501

Pets Warehouse Since 1974 A trusted online pet supply store Marineland 65 Gallon Tank Black 36x18x24 SD-3 308475

petswarehouse.com

 

[EtxReefer]

I would personally go for the 50 over the taller 70, I don't think you gain much with that height. But what about splitting the difference, and getting a 65 Tub; 36"x18"x24". This is a very popular tank size:

Marineland 65 Gallon Tank Black 36x18x24 SD-3 308475 047497106501

Pets Warehouse Since 1974 A trusted online pet supply store Marineland 65 Gallon Tank Black 36x18x24 SD-3 308475

petswarehouse.com

I’m definitely not opposed to a 65. I can really do any size between 50-70 as I’m going with a custom from glass cages. Just wasn’t sure on what size I should get.

 

[EtxReefer]

Bump

 

[NCsalt]

A 36x18x17 is basically a 40 breeder, which is a great foot print. Ran mine for over 3 years.

I’d also consider a 36x24x17. A lot more room to aquascape and even more foot print.

Edit: Whoops didnt see part about stand

 

[EtxReefer]

A 36x18x17 is basically a 40 breeder, which is a great foot print. Ran mine for over 3 years.

I’d also consider a 36x24x17. A lot more room to aquascape and even more foot print.

Edit: Whoops didnt see part about stand

I’m building the stand so I could always make it wider, but the cost jumps significantly when the width gets past 18 inches as the bracing is different on the custom tanks. That why I was looking toward adding height, but wasn’t sure if it really added much benefit with the height besides more water stability because of volume.

 

[NCsalt]

My current tank is 24 inches tall. And i wouldn’t want it any deeper from a maintenance perspective.

Its a peninsula so i can easily work from both sides.

Its also 30 inches wide so i might could have a little more height if it was 24 but not much.

Wider is nice

 

[EtxReefer]

My current tank is 24 inches tall. And i wouldn’t want it any deeper from a maintenance perspective.

Its a peninsula so i can easily work from both sides.

Its also 30 inches wide so i might could have a little more height if it was 24 but not much.

Wider is nice

I for sure would like the depth options for rock work. I guess I just need to decide if I can stomach the cost.

 

[EtxReefer]

Last bump, any advantage to the 70 over 50 aside from water volume and stability?

 

[keagan]

IMO always go larger or you'll regret it later. Years down the road that 50 will be full of mature coral and you'll be wishing you got the 70.

 

[Fish Fan]

Last bump, any advantage to the 70 over 50 aside from water volume and stability?

In my opinion, no. The whole "bigger is more stable" thing is over exaggerated; a 50 gallon shouldn't have stability issues. Further, in saltwater most reefers value more front-to-back space rather than extra height. It's going to be difficult to rock scape that 70, and you'll likely end up with a wall of rock, like the tanks back in the 1990's. The taller tank will require more powerful, and therefore more expensive, lighting to reach the bottom.

This choice is yours, it's up to you what tank looks or works the best for you; either will certainly be fine. But if it was me, I think I'd do the 50, honestly

I'll add, if you were comparing this 50 gallon to a 70 gallon that was longer or wider, not taller, then for sure I'd take the 70. For me, the extra height of the 70 you're considering isn't an advantage, but again, just my $0.02

Good luck with whichever you choose!

 

[EtxReefer]

In my opinion, no. The whole "bigger is more stable" thing is over exaggerated; a 50 gallon shouldn't have stability issues. Further, in saltwater most reefers value more front-to-back space rather than extra height. It's going to be difficult to rock scape that 70, and you'll likely end up with a wall of rock, like the tanks back in the 1990's. The taller tank will require more powerful, and therefore more expensive, lighting to reach the bottom.

This choice is yours, it's up to you what tank looks or works the best for you; either will certainly be fine. But if it was me, I think I'd do the 50, honestly

I'll add, if you were comparing this 50 gallon to a 70 gallon that was longer or wider, not taller, then for sure I'd take the 70. For me, the extra height of the 70 you're considering isn't an advantage, but again, just my $0.02

Good luck with whichever you choose!

This definitely helps me make up my mind. I appreciate it! When I get the tank in I’ll start a build thread.

 

[Fish Fan]

This definitely helps me make up my mind. I appreciate it! When I get the tank in I’ll start a build thread.

Please do, we’d like to follow your progress!

Good luck!