55 gal tank

Hello all!
I have just posted here once before, but have still been reading...well here is my next question: is a 55 gallon tank too small for a first reef tank? I have been leaning toward a 75 - 90 gallon but just saw a good deal on a 55.
Thanks for any input and thank for all of the info I have gathered so far.
Matt

 

There are alot of beautiful 55 gal and smaller reef tanks out there. I would say get what ever you can afford and maintain properly. Just make sure to ask alot of questions and monitor and take care of it and you can be successful. You can get a 200 Gal tank and if you dont take care of it will fail.

 

Your right, I know where your coming from. I guess Im wondering if a 55 is big enough to do it right.
Matt

 

As long as you monitor and keep your paramaters in check I do not see an issue. there are alot of people on here that have tanks smaller than a 55 and they look great (the Tanks LOL )and are successful.

 

I would start with at least the 75 because I have a 55 and do like it, but it's too narrow, the 13" width just isn't enough for me. The 18" width the standard 75 and 90 come is would make it much easier to aquascape and you can have larger fish.

 

Gman has a point on the aquascaping but look at his tank. It only proves that you dont have to have a big tank to be successful.

 

i have a 26 gallon bowfront and they do make stuff small enough to make a tank that size work. One of the downfalls of a small tank is your choice of fish is very limited for example no tangs in a tank under 75 gallon. but a pro that i like about a small tank is you dont have to spend a ton of money to have a great set up.

 

I appreciate that, as you said before, you can make any size tank look great, IMO it's easier with a larger sized tank though. As you kind of alluded to in your prior post, to get a tank to look good takes time and care, if you can do those two things, you should be fine.

 

Thanks for the input,folks! Hey Guitarman, I see your in West Chester...good to see somebody close.
Thanks, Matt

 

ive seen 50 gallon tanks that were 36 by 18 that would look great. recently went from 55 to 75 just bc of the extra width. theres some good looking 46 bow fronts on here also. you could probably pick up a 75 cheaper than a 46 though.