Stocking advantages of a 55 gal over a 29?

Ok, I have a 29 gal that I am currently thinking of making into a marine tank. Anyways I have been reading and a bigger tank is better blah blah blah, even though I think I could handle a 29. The point of this is not to determine if a 55 would be easier, it is more of figuring out how much that would expand my stocking abilities? How many more fish, species that work in a 55 that wouldn't in a 29.

On a final note. If I was going to buy equipment, I would rather buy equipment for something that I wouldn't grow out of quickly.

What do you guys think?

 

There's not a whole lot different in terms of WHAT you can stock in the "reef-safe" category, but you can pretty much double the number of fish.

 

On that note, get the 55 gallon. You will be glad you did.

 

Your stocking will definitely be expanded by going with a 55. More importantly though, a 29 is an odd length at 30" which will cut down on your lighting choices and if you ever upgrade you will have to upgrade your lighting also. If you go with a 4 foot 55 than there are many larger tank sizes that are still four foot long and would be an easy transition.

 

USE THE 55g AS YOUR MAIN TANK & YOUR 29g AS A SUMP/FUGE!!!

 

+1 on all above. btw dont base your build on already having a 29g. You will find the tank itself will be one of the least expensive pieces of equipment you will buy setting up a reef. Especially with Classifieds like criaglist. you could probably find a 55g used for less than the cost of your first livestock edition.

 

LOL, you can probably find just about any size tank for cheaper than the rock you'll end up putting in it alone.

 

Thats what im starting to notice, I could probably pick up a 55 gal for $100 off craigslist...

Suppose I could use the 29 for a quarantine?

 

you can buy a 55g NEW from petco/petsmart for about $100-125 (no scratches). buy wood, build a stand that can house your 29g and use that as your sump/fuge. you'll need a overflow box, drain tube,filter sock, return pump, skimmer. you can put sand, water, and some rock in tank. And get the tank cycling while you shop around for lighting options. you'll probly go with a 4 or 6 bulb t5 fixture over a 55g standard tank. theirs DIY tips on how to convert your 29g into a sump/fuge on here, do a search for help.

 

Of course, however first think about how you want to set up the reef tank. You could use the 29g as a sump. The right equipment incl. a skimmer should be first on your list before setting up a quarantine tank. I always make sure that my lfs keeps the fish in quarantine for at least 2 weeks before I buy it. So, to summarize... I would suggest that you get all the right equipment for the 55g ... skimmer, sump, pumps etc. before thinking about a quarantine tank. Not to say that I am against it. I think it is a very wise thing to quarantine your fish before adding them to the main tank. I guess I am just lucky. But anything you order over the internet or lfs you are not familiar with... ALWAYS quarantine the fish. But first things first.
Best of luck to you and keep us posted!!!