Reef or not: 46 gallon bowfront with little room for a sizeable sump

[nnatic]

I have a 46" bowfront with a stand that has been a freshwater tank for years and years. I want to go saltwater but struggling with what to do.

The stand has little room for a sump / refugium. The only thing i can find that will fit without going custom is this: https://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...m?pcatid=30999

With that, I can really only do a skimmer and maybe some live rock. Only other retail sump I could put in there would be a 15 gallon high tank. The regular is too deep.

So with that said, what would you do with this setup? I dont want to buy a new tank etc so that is out. I would prefer to do reef, but its not a requirement for sure. I lean towards using a sump for the additional water and protein skimmer. I really worry about the over the back skimmers for the same leak reason as well as efficiency. I want to use a drilled setup so I dont run the risk of a water leak if something goes wrong.

What would you do with this setup? Sump or no sump? Reef or no reef?

[Autumnsky]

Even on sale that is a pretty large chunk of change for that sump.

This is a similar problem I have. A 46G bowfront small door and space underneath and I sort of wanted a lagoon cube like tank with lots of floor space, but then I have this perfectly functional 46G tank staring at me.

It is a little bit deep for a reef and with fish only it would need a good protein skimmer I think. Many fish are needing a larger amount of gallons, so in a small way you are limited for fowlr. Reef would need a pretty good light for par.

Personally I am leaning for selling of my 46G and using the money towards a nice different tank.

40 breeder is a good size tank - better shape and height for lighting reaching the bottom, than a 46G bowfront, reasonable cost.

I am going for a tank probably under 50G for ease of keeping it an easy water change. My interest is more in Rock Flower Anemones and inverts, and not exactly a traditional type set up.

Do you like the fish better, the corals or coral type creatures ?

Knowing what your interest is really, and building the tank around that is better.

My thoughts in having "settled" for tanks so frequently over the years is that I probably spent more money switching for a different tank trying to make something work, and then moving to some other good value but again not what I wanted.

At this time I have a big cardboard box 30 x 30 inch cube with SW rocks taking up space and doing that to get a feel of what tank size I would like to have.

Initially I thought 36" cube and after having a 30" box sitting there I rethought 36" sticking out so far into the living room. Still thinking it over and looking for a like new used tank to come up.

[nnatic]

Originally Posted by Autumnsky

It is a little bit deep for a reef and with fish only it would need a good protein skimmer I think. Many fish are needing a larger amount of gallons, so in a small way you are limited for fowlr. Reef would need a pretty good light for par.

Do you like the fish better, the corals or coral type creatures ?

Thanks for the great reply.

Good point on the depth and lighting requirements. Never considered how much better of a light i would need in that case.

What are your thoughts on a 15 gallon tall tank for a sump. Maybe that is the way to go in this case instead of that retail sump.

I really care most about the fish, but feel like it would probably enjoy corals at some point.

I feel like the bowfront is so much better of a presentation than a standard wide tank but your points are well taken. I have been thinking about this for a year or so and just cant pull the trigger yet.

[Ulrichsd]

I'm in a similar boat, I already have 2 fw tanks (125 and 60 gallons) so space is a little limited in the basement for another tank.

I ended going with a 40 breeder, but if I had a 46b I would personally just use that. My tank is currently cycling and I have zero saltwater experience, but my impression from research is that a 10 or 15 gallon sump is enough for a good quality sump so I say go for it!

My plan is to get my feet wet (pun intended) with a fowlr and after the tank is more established upgrade the lighting for some beginner corals.

Good luck!

[Autumnsky]

We'll see you on the salty side!

40 breeder is a nice space.