Haltech

Im looking for a 46 - 55 gallon acrylic tank to start up with a saltwater setup. Ive been kicking around starting with a Nano, but ****, by the time you outfit it, you aren't saving any money, if any and are very limited on space and fish. I also dont need to be dealing with the unstable water of smaller tanks. i figured people here have some great advice for tanks they recommend over just shopping blind.

So, i need to know what 46- 55 gallon tanks people are running with light fixtures. Im going to be doing live rock and live sand with various fish once it gets stabilized.

Any recommendations on heaters, skimmers, pumps, etc that ill need will be very helpful. Thanks

Hypnox

You could get a 40 gallon breeder. They are actually closer to 45 gallons than 40. The 36"Lx18"Wx16"H makes for a great starter tank size. With that size tank you won't be keeping any large angels or tangs but you certainly still have a wide range of fish available to you.

The best part about them is that the bottom is not tempered glass, this mans you can easilly drill the bottom for a sump.

Welcome to fishlore too.

Haltech

Thanks, i appreciate it. so, a sump is basically an additional tank that sits below the main tank? I use that to place a pump inside or additional equip?

Hypnox

Most people use a sump to hide all their equipment in, such as the skimmer and heater. You do need a return pump to get water from it up into the display tank. Even with a return pump you will likely need additional power heads in a larger tank in order to get everything flowing nicely.

Haltech

Well i scoped out a 95 gallon for about the price as most of these 46 setups. i can either do a rear sump or a bottom sump.

au01st

Go for it, bigger is better, but by no means will it be the same cost as a nano.

You need a bigger skimmer, more rock, more sand, more water, bigger water changes, more lighting, etc.

Haltech

Yes, absolutely, i just couldnt handle assembling a nano and being only able to have 3 fish in there. Im still thinking about it for my office (nano) and the 95 gallon for the family room.

So you think i should go with the rear overflows ( 1 on each side ) and a 40 gallon bottom sump?

au01st

2 overflows would be overkill IMO as you're only going to want to flow around 450gph through the sump. A Mag 9.5 would be fine and a single overflow box (I'm assuming it's not drilled) and you should be in business.

The 40 breeder tanks make great sumps/refugiums because of their dimensions. Actually, they just make great tanks in general and I'm seriously considering one for my room and ditching the 55 FW setup for a 40B SPS/Wrasse tank. Anyway, make sure the 40 will fit in the stand as the breeder tanks are 36x18x16 (I believe) and won't fit inside a stand that is only 18" wide.

Haltech

Good advice, thanks!