Aquarium size debate

[ess17]

I am torn. I don't know what size aquarium to get. I know bigger is better, and shorter height and longer width is better, but I have all of these in mind:

20 GAL T 24" x 12" x 16"
20 GAL L 30" x 12" x 12"
25 GAL 24" x 12" x 20" (is this size hard to find?)
29 GAL 30" x 12" x 18"

My issue is with lighting. It seems lighting is easier and cheaper to find for the 24".
I think the 20 L would be the best option, but it seems lighting for 30" is harder to find. I have been searching aquatraders (doesn't have one this size) and ebay (only has a few). I am looking for compact florecent with at least 110 wt but hopefully more like 130, and I don't want to spend much over $100.

I would appreciate any suggestions as to which of these is best suited for a reef with corals and a couple fish like a clown and firefish, and also a good place to find lighting for any of these for cheap.

Thanks!

 

[superman]

Is this your first marine tank? Are you planning on going reef or just fish or just corals. I guess if you just want me to answer the question asked, then I would go with the 29 gallon, more water volume is the only reason though.

 

[ess17]

a reef with fish, corals, and cleanup crew

 

[superman]

if you are going to want a couple of fish in the tank, along with a variety of soft corals, lps, and sps, then you are going to want as large a tank as you can. The amount of water changes needed in a small reef, and the water testing and monitoring that is needed is not usually the best for a beginner's tank, though it can be done.

 

[abstract]

i think 20 gallon longs use 24" bulbs, 20 gallon high/10 gallon use 18" bulbs..i'd have to check when i get home, but i'm pretty sure

 

[sammydee]

You use 24" tubes for the 20 gallon long, a 30" is too long because you have to factor in the endcap length too.

 

[ecto1]

I'm going to go with Superman on this one, the 29 gallon would be best.

Tip from someone who started SW with a 20 gallon high: Start with as big of a tank as possible. 55 gallons is a nice size - it's much easier to control the water parameters in this size of tank. In my 20g, the water evaporated pretty fast, so I was always having to refill, check the salinty, do water changes, etc. Larger tanks are so much simpler.

 

[raynist]

How about a 30g long?

They are 36x12x16 I think. Of course, lighting will be more $$ at 36 inches long.

 

[ess17]

Thank you for all of the responses!
I went with a 29 GAL. I wanted to do a 30 L, but the stand I had wouldn't hold it.
I do like that the 29 is taller though, I think it helped with aquascaping the 25 lbs of Figi branch I was able to add to it