New Tank Advise - Tank Size For What I Have

Hey all. So last week I picked up a 36(?) gallon (36"x15"x18") setup off craigslist. It was a nice tank, stand, Marineland C-220 filter, and Hydor ETH300 in-line heater. Well as I was testing fitting the tank in the space it is going into, I busted the back glass. Once I got over the just throw it away faze, I determined I could fix it. I contacted my local glass shop and ordered a replacement panel. In the process I also determined that I wanted to drill the tank and run a custom inlet and outlet spray bar. Well long story short, during the water test one of the seems busted; I did not clean that piece of glass as well as I should of, and during the disassembly I busted the bottom panel of the tank. So now I am at a crossroads. Buy a new tank or a new bottom panel.

So based on what I all ready have: aka Marineland C-220 filter and Hydro ETH 300, what tank would you pick out? I really only have one stipulation; it cannot be wider then 36 inches. This will be a freshwater, planted, and most likely tropical community tank (Gourami, Rasbora, algae eater (Oto) and a smaller pleco (clown or bristlenose), and some livebearers to round it out.

Current tanks I am considering:
46 gallon bowfront: 36"x 15"x 20"
40 gallon breeder: 36"x 18"x 16"
50 gallon breeder: 36"x 18"x 18"
45 gallon tall: 36"x 12"x 24" - not sure about this one as at 24" lighting and cleaning might be an issue.

I know that tank size is all in the eye of the beholder, but really for what I am doing; what would be a good tank? Thanks for the help.

 

Is it Length x height x depth or is it Length x depth x height?

I would go with a 50 gallon if the depth is 18". It allows you to get fish that do grow big but allows to turn around easily.

 

Is it Length x height x depth or is it Length x depth x height?.

- Length x depth x height

Follow up question: would there be that large of a difference between the 46 gallon bowfront and the 50 gallon? I am liking the footprint size of the 50 gallon, but if the cost is significantly higher then the bowfront am I really losing anything? I keep coming back to a quote I saw in another tread last night "No one wishes they went with a smaller tank."

 

It depends on what you want to stock. I'll say that my first tank of a 55 gallon I regret getting now that I've been entranced with fishkeeping...the depth of the 55 gallon limits what you want. If you want to do just schooling fish but not big fish like larger cichlids than you should be good with a 46g. The only difference between the 50 gallon and the 46g is the depth. 3" is a lot to a fish, more room to circle around.

 

Thank you Fashooga, this is all fairly new to me coming from a small 10 gallon with a few Platies in it. At this time I do not plan on going crazy on large fish, but have the option to get a few in the 6" range would be nice. And just to be clear; my C-220 filter and Hydor ETH 300 would be sufficient to handle a 50 gallon? Giving the tank location I do not have space for a HOB filter nor a sump system.

 

I don't think you'll need a sump system. I think those are best used for a system that it much bigger than listed above. Your HOB should be covering more than the 50 g...so if its' rated at just 50 gallon than the filtration system is not adequate enough. If you get one that is rated higher say 100g, you should be fine.