What you guys think? 70gal cube or 45gal cube?

[Trigs]

So i am inbetween buying a 70 gal cube or a 45 gallon cube, the 70 gallon is drilled and ready to go, but the 45 is new with stand i wante to start off nano and build a steady reef tank and then upgrade but im seeing what some peoples suggestions are

[marie]

I would say go for the 70g, it's not a lot bigger then a 45 and it won't be long before even the 70g will be too small :biggrin:

[Trigs]

I would say go for the 70g, it's not a lot bigger then a 45 and it won't be long before even the 70g will be too small :biggrin:

hmm very good call, but the 70 doesnt have a stand

[marie]

My husband went to a second hand store and picked up a very nice oak desk for $25 that made a perfect stand for my 2ftx2ft cube tank. A stand shouldn't be too hard to find/make

[Sebae again]

I second that. Skip the smaller tank step. You could use the equipment you already have and it wil be easier to maintain a stable enviroment.

[Trigs]

hmm i am agreeing , what light you suppose i should use? 2 250w pendants? i have a single 250w mh right now but i will need more i suppose for sps and such

[Sebae again]

How wide and deep is the tank ? You could put sps in the center and have lps and /or softies around it.

[marie]

Whats the foot print of the tank? A single 250w with a good reflector should be all you need on a cube tank

[Sebae again]

Try to check out some Japanese tanks. They are masters when it comes to lighting /shading a tank as well as aquascaping.

[Trigs]

i believe the tank is 30x30x18, ya the single might work if i fool around with it and move it around or spring the extra 100 for a used one

[marie]

If you used a reflector like this http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/sl-mhlmaxr/Sunlight+Supply+LumenMax+Metal+Halide+Reflector.ht ml



*edit* is this better? :redface:

[Trigs]

hmm marie the link doesnt work..

and the tank is 30x30x18 i checked.

[mike31154]

Not sure I understand. Your signature area shows a 90 gal FOWLR for sale, you have a 29 gal Reef In Progress? And you're not sure whether to go for a 70 or 45????

[Trigs]

Not sure I understand. Your signature area shows a 90 gal FOWLR for sale, you have a 29 gal Reef In Progress? And you're not sure whether to go for a 70 or 45????

yah, the 29g is terrible dimensions, and the 90 is to big. im buying a cube so it fits better

[Trigs]

If you used a reflector like this http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/sl-mhlmaxr/Sunlight+Supply+LumenMax+Metal+Halide+Reflector.ht ml



*edit* is this better? :redface:

much better thank you =)
thats a good price for those!

[mike31154]

yah, the 29g is terrible dimensions, and the 90 is to big. im buying a cube so it fits better
Ah, I see. Thanks for clearing that up, although I see many folks run multiple systems. It can be addictive... After getting my 75 gal used from a lady in Richmond, I purchased a used 65 gal the inhabitants of which I incorporated into the 75. Last December our LFS had a sale on tanks so now I have a drilled 90 gal sitting empty in the basement. Hope to set up the 90 in a room divider config with the 75 or 65 as a basement sump.... eventually...

[Myka]

If you use a LumenArc (my choice pick) or a LumenMax it will spread the light 30x30". They are "specialized" reflectors designed to spread the light evenly over a larger area. They are best used with a SE bulb, but will do ok with a DE. J&L carries the LumenArc as well, but they aren't on the site. Email them for a price.

You already have the HQI ballast, just buy one of these reflectors, and a SE socket to go into it instead of a DE socket, and pick a compatible SE bulb to run on the HQI ballast for optimal performance. Or just use your current DE socket. It's just that the reflectors will be designed for either the DE or the SE so you have to decide before you get one.

Also, the Lumenarc has two 4" ducts built into it for optional fans. You can also buy glass to use with it for DE assembly. The LumenMax will not accept glass.

[Trigs]

thanks myka that clears things up a lot, if i go for the 70 i will definitely be doing this!

[Myka]

That 70g cube is a nice tank. I'm not keen on where it's drilled though, but it would work just fine. It's a great size (as long as you use a suitable reflector)! :)

[Trigs]

yah for sure. im still not overly satisfied though, im not sure if i want to get the 70, or the 45, there is only a difference within 5 inch on each side. but im not sure if the 70 is the way to go or not

[Myka]

When you say "the way to go", what is making you question it?

[Trigs]

space? i gotta have it in my room, so im limited to space and also i guess the amount of time i need to put into take care of it

[Myka]

What about your budget? There will be a bit of cost diffference in setup and maintenance between the 45g and the 70g.

What are the dimensions of the 45g?

[Trigs]

45 is 25x25x16 i believe

[Myka]

Your current light would be pretty good over the 45g, so you wouldn't need to upgrade your lighting. If time, space, and/or money is of concern, I may suggest you go for the smaller tank.

[spikehs]

my opinion is it comes down to funds. If I could have a 45gal that I had set up EXACTLY like I wanted, or a 70gal where I had to make some sacrafices, i'd do the 45gal... It'd probably work out better in the end and you'd get more enjoyment out of it. Just my opinion though....