Tank Suggestions Help

I currently have a thriving 30 gallon soon-to-be reef tank (see current specs in signature). I would like to upgrade to a 36 gallon (40 max) all inclusive kit...Acrylic or glass is fine. Currently the filter, skimmer, chiller and current pump are hang ons, talking away from the natural reef look. I have no room for a refugium. My max measurements on the stand are 34" L X 16" wide. I would like an all inclusive with a wide front view, where the mechanical are all incluse, at minimal view (nano style). I have done much research and have found nothing. Can anyone suggest anything? A wide view nano would be great but they have yet to design one. Your comments are appreciated. Thanks!

 

Wow, you've got a 30gal tank and you want to get a reef going or in other words you want corals. Correct? You have a limited area to work with. You want to keep the same stand? The fish you have are fine. The Hawk fish might bother shrimps. You show no snails. I'd get some snails to clean off the rocks and glass. Hermits can only clean the substrate and the rocks. Those Emeralds have a very short lifespan (6 mths-1 year). A cleaner shrimp is a great idea. If he dies replace him with two cleaners. They work good in pairs. Without a refugium you'll have to watch your nitrates closely. Regular water changes. Remember water changes can stress out the fish. I have my LFS deliver about 80 gals of sea water every month. That's about a 40% water change but it's only once a month and he charges $1.00 a gal.
The key to the refugium is two things: Light and plants. I bought a fist full of cheatomorphia (cheato) and put it into the sump in a designed area with a deep sand bed and some live rock. I've seen it where the cheato went into an area in the sump created out of eggcrate and a clip on lamp with a plant flood light. About $15 at Home Depot. Viola! Instant fuge. You can put some small pieces of live rock in there. Just a thought. Good luck!

 

Do to lack of room, I just need an "all in one" ...between 36 and 40 ....thats rectangular or bowfront. I do have 2 emeralds and 8 blue legged hermits ...and a ton of turbo snails and pods. I also have a blood shrimp and a cleaner shrimp ....so far so good with the hawk. My tank sits on a 5' high armiore where I keep my entertainment center. My house is very small so consolodation has been important. Thats why I dont have a sump or refugium. Also, my parameters are always spot on. Im an avid filter cleaner and I change 1/3 to 1/2 of my water every 3 weeks ....and all of my livestock is comfortable with it. Ive been fortunate enough to have hearty "kids" ...they never seem to stress, all get along perfectly. Its like I have a "Brady Bunch" tank.

 

Have you considered building it yourself? There are quite a few people on here that couldn't find the right tank so they just built one.

 

A 65 gal tank is a nice size at 36x18x24. With a reef you would be more prudent to get a tank with depth. Corals grow and setting up the rockscape is easier when you have room to tear the rocks upward.
I'll admit you have quite an unusual setup being 5' up. I can't for the life of me wonder what urged you to do so but mine is not to ask. Anyway, you might be better off for now to think about what you want.