Best aquarium < 40 gallons?

Munns! · Feb 2, 2025

I am wanting a new aquarium that can serve as a grow out, quarantine, and display tank. I have a 75 gallon ELOS aquarium. I want to prevent any pests or a large amount of pests to enter my main system. I also want a place to dose interceptor that will not be in my main tank because I have many inverts that probably wouldn’t appreciate the treatment. I have concluded that I am interested in the brands, Fiji cube, Reef Casa, and Waterbox. Is there any additional brands that I should consider? Keep in mind I want a aquarium under 40 gallons and a peninsula would be preferable, although not a must. I would like for the system to be more on the shallow end due to ease of maintenance.Is there any brands that I have named that I should stay away from? Any help and experiences are much appreciated and welcomed!

Peace River · Feb 2, 2025

There are many options depending on price and aesthetics. A basic Aequeon 40 breeder from Petco is an inexpensive option with a lot of flexibility, where as Red Sea, JBJ, Waterbox, Innovative Marine and others have rimless options that are offered at higher prices. Fiji Cube from BRS and Waterbox both have good nano peninsula options. Good luck with whatever you choose!

SliceGolfer · Feb 2, 2025

Fiji Cube 38g AIO is probably the closest to your wish list. Best value nano is the IM 25g lagoon AIO starter kit imho.

Fish Fan · Feb 2, 2025

For a QT tank, I'd also suggest an Aqueon or another inexpensive, standard tank. These go on sale for 50% off about 6 times a year:

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/aqueon-standard-glass-aquarium-tank-40-gallon

From your message asking about a peninsula specifically, I'm guessing you want an AIO here? If so, I would also suggest that the IM 25 Lagoon is the "best value" on an AIO right now. I recently was shopping for an AIO in the range of 30-40 gallons, and for me every option I looked at involved freight shipping, which ranged from $350-$500+ just for the shipping, plus the cost of the tank. That means that for me to get a 30-40 gallon AIO it was going to cost almost $1000, and like you, this was for a QT tank, not even my main display tank. Nope.

I settled on the IM 25 Lagoon, with shipping I think it cost me like $235 on sale at the time:

Shop | Innovative Marine Products

Shop Now | Innovative Marine's Official Store | Free Shipping on all orders* | NUVO aquariums and saltwater reef supplies.

www.innovative-marine.com

Good luck!

ChrisfromBrick · Feb 2, 2025

Munns! said:
I am wanting a new aquarium that can serve as a grow out, quarantine, and display tank. I have a 75 gallon ELOS aquarium. I want to prevent any pests or a large amount of pests to enter my main system. I also want a place to dose interceptor that will not be in my main tank because I have many inverts that probably wouldn’t appreciate the treatment. I have concluded that I am interested in the brands, Fiji cube, Reef Casa, and Waterbox. Is there any additional brands that I should consider? Keep in mind I want an aquarium under 40 gallons and a peninsula would be preferable, although not a must. I would like for the system to be more on the shallow end due to ease of maintenance.Is there any brands that I have named that I should stay away from? Any help and experiences are much appreciated and welcomed!

for 40 and under any of them are fine choices. Do you need rimless? You can get a deep blue 34 gallon 3 foot long 12 inches high frag tank for very cheap. Or, you can get glass cages to build you a penninsula for more money.

I’m thinking of doing a tank for same reasons as you. I have a 34g deep blue sitting in my garage that i may use for that.