How Big Should I Go For First Time?

[snowflake311]

Ok so I got a deal on a 55-gal tank. I have been collecting the things I need for it. So it's not put together yet. I'm starting to think that I should go bigger. I could get a 90 gal 48" 18" 23" for $100. I feel that might be better but it housed turtles will that be a problem?

Any ways I thinking bigger would be better and easier in the long run. What do you think? Should I put the 55Gal aside and get the 90gal?

some pros and cons would be great thanks.

 

[-Nemo-]

Get the 90 and use the 55 as a sump
Bigger is always better!!

 

[n3ont3tra]

90 gallons provides considerably more stocking options than a 55 would. It also gives you more margin for error if something goes wrong. I would definitely go for the 90 gallon.

It should be okay even if it housed turtles. However, many people that keep turtles only fill the tank halfway or so, so you might just want to check to make sure it holds water all the way to the top before you buy it if that was the case. Hope this helps.

 

[snowflake311]

Would a 20 Gal sump be ok for a 90gal?

 

[lyotim88]

if you already have it then yea it'll be fine, but i would go for a 30

 

[snowflake311]

if you already have it then yea it'll be fine, but i would go for a 30

A 30 gal as a starter tank for saltwater? Or did you mean a 30Gal would be a better sump for a 90Gal?

 

[Truck]

30 gallon sump i think he meant

 

[lyotim88]

yes, 30 gallon sump

 

[rabbut]

I would go with a sump of half the volume of the main display to make for easier usage of space and partitioning myself, so 45g. A 30g would be a large improvement on a 20g though if you have a 30g now. TBH, with a 20g, you may as well not bother. Once running, the water level in the sump would be just enough to cover the return pump, no real space for a DSB, Plemum, reforgium, a skimmer may be pushing it e.t.c... Abosolute minimum is 25% of the tank's volume for a sump

So, Idealy, I'd try for the 90G with a 45G sump

All the best
Rabbut

EDIT, Woops, ment DSB, not DSF....

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, I wouldn't go with a 20gal under a 90g, not enough sump. A 45g would be nice, but the dimensions stink as a sump. Far better would be a 30 standard or a 30 long whichever you can fit in the stand. A 40 breeder would be ideal, but I doubt it would fit in a standard stand, would need a custom one for that.