Which tank?

[Indytraveler83]

I've been talking in another thread about a hex that I recently bought, but this tank is proving to be a nightmare. After filling it with water (in the garage), the stand allows a ton of sway, and the tank has a disturbing amount of flex. Its taken 2 years to get the better half to allow a second aquarium in the house. If this one bursts or the stand gives way, I'll be down to zero. Time to try again...

Ideally I'd get a 75 gallon, but the length and especially depth would overwhelm the space and look awkward. So I need to look at something a bit smaller.

The reasonable options I have are these:

54 gallon corner: My favorite looking of the 2, it would provide some depth and fit nicely in a corner of the space. My concern is the height of the tank, combined with the small lighting fixture would make growing much of anything nearly impossible.

60 Tall: This tank is 2/3 the price, and would give me room for a full 48" light fixture, which seems to be a far better way to light a tank. My concern here is that the depth of the tank, while working perfectly for the room, would be concerning for the livestock.

For those of you who haven't followed my other thread, I'm hoping to run a budget conscious tank that is heavy on live rock, maybe some soft corals, and a diverse group of inverts. While not set in stone by any means, my fish list would likely look something like this:
1x dwarf flame angel
2x clownfish
3x bangaii or pajama cardinalfish
1x purple firefish goby
1x Royal Gramma

Feel free to leave any other suggestions or ideas. (Or let me know if you somehow think that 35 hex is salvageable). If I can somehow squeeze a 75 gallon in, I'll do it. But I don't that, or a larger tank would work.

 

[Jekyl]

90 or 120. Go big or go home :)

 

[Indytraveler83]

90 or 120. Go big or go home :)

Lol. I would LOVE to go that big. And maybe one day if we move I will. But for now, the depth of the 75/90 is too much for the small rooms in this house. The better half tells me that if we have to step around the tanks, I can't have them. Married life, eh?

 

[HB AL]

Well if your limited to those 2 choices and it sounds like you like the corner tank better, seems the lights are your only concern. With so many options for lights nowadays I would get the corner tank and add lights if needed. I’m assuming these are used tanks. Conquer ;) your dilemma and get that tank cycling.

 

[Jekyl]

I hear ya. I have a wife and a smaller house. My solution was to install the tank in a closet and display it in the wall. 75 is still a 4' tank if I'm not mistaken. Which means going to a 90 is only 4 inches taller and a 120 would be 6 inches deeper on top of that. If already thinking of a 75 then those 2 tanks would be my recommendation. The list you have for fish is already maxed out for a 60 gallon that's well established

 

[Indytraveler83]

I hear ya. I have a wife and a smaller house. My solution was to install the tank in a closet and display it in the wall. 75 is still a 4' tank if I'm not mistaken. Which means going to a 90 is only 4 inches taller and a 120 would be 6 inches deeper on top of that. If already thinking of a 75 then those 2 tanks would be my recommendation. The list you have for fish is already maxed out for a 60 gallon that's well established

Yeah. The problem with the 75 + isn’t the 4 feet, it’s the 20 inch depth, plus clearance behind the tank. 6 inches doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s the breaking point here.

 

[Jekyl]

If you like the 54 go with that. What lighting fixture are you concerned about? Any T5 or Chinese black box will still be plenty for it. Just means that any SPS you plan on will be placed higher in the tank. Softies and some lps will be fine toward the bottom. I have my marsaqua at 25% white and 60% blue right now. Just got a hammer yesterday and put him toward the bottom. Already opened up and loving his new home.

 

[Salty Lemon]

Ideally I'd get a 75 gallon, but the length and especially depth would overwhelm the space and look awkward. So I need to look at something a bit smaller.

If you have a sump instead of HOB filters and skimmers, it won't stick out too far from the wall. And believe me...a gorgeous, healthy tank does not look awkward. ;)

 

[Indytraveler83]

Thanks everyone! This weekend I got the 54 corner and got it set up last night. I checked first thing this morning, and it is almost up to temperature. Will check water parameters and adjust powerheads and things tonight. Will also probably start a build thread so you can see how it goes!