Why the 40b? Why dislike the 50g? A Mental Rant

[QuitClowning]

Ok so I see the big popularity of the 40 breeder among reef keepers and I understand the dimensions are well suited for some nice aquascaping and for the minimalist movement.

I'm a noob to saltwater tanks and reef keeping so this is just based on my observations and google-research. But I got to thinking, why the 40B over the 50 gallon? The dimensions appear to get almost identical relative to the increase in volume so why do more people go for 40b over the 50 gallon?

I dug further....what about tank weight? Tempered glass?

The dimensions for those who don't believe me:

According to anapsid.org:
40g breeder = 36" x 18" x 17"
50g = 37" x 19" x 20"

According to Aqueon (maker of the popular $1 / gallon):
40g breeder = 36.2" x 18.3" x 17"
50g = 36.4" x 18.4" x 25"

According to Tetra/Marineland (another make of $1 / gallon sales):
40g breeder = 36" x 18" x 16"
50 g = 36.375" x 18.375" x 19"

So with the Aqueon 50g you have a tank that is almost identical in length and depth as the 40b but more height. This obviously will have a more cube shape than long rectangular shape.

If going with Tetra/marineland you'll get pretty much similar size in percentage to the 40b but with more water volume.



So...what about empty weight?

Aqueon:
40b = Empty weight: 58 / Full weight: 458
50g = Empty weight: 68 / Full weight: 600

Tetra/marineland
40b = Empty weight: 52 / Full weight: 320
50g = unknown not provided by tetra or marineland **Provided by about.com empty weight: 100 / Full weight: 600



So...what about tempered glass for drilling?

Aqueon:
40b = no panels are tempered
50g = bottom glass is tempered

Tetra/marineland
40b = no panels are tempered
50g or larger = bottom is tempered


** I did not do research on the glass thickness but I assumed both manufacturers used 3/8" thick glass in their tanks.



Conclusion?

1. The 40b has had more versions with non-tempered glass and this allowed more chances of success in the drilling for the plumbing.

2. Some stores would have carried the Aqueon 50g instead of the Tetra 50g and the more cube shape of the Aqueon put people off because they were looking for a rectangular build.

3. Weight? I think that's almost non-existent because most of the build threads and topic-driven threads don't make mention of a brand, let alone weight research of each tank. There was ONE thread about a Tetra tank from Petco not being squared (tetra QA issues) and it would wobble while on a stand. There were of course plenty of sealant quality concerns threads.


Am I missing something? Anyone else care to add more?
Why the 40 gallon??

[nmotz]

Of all of the many decisions that are purely preference-driven, tank size and shape is probably at the top of the list. Perhaps some people don't necessarily like a taller tank because it's harder to clean near the bottom without getting your whole arm wet? Shorter, longer tanks provide more space for benthic marine life.

Or, maybe the availability of the 40B is greater than a 50g tank with those dimensions?

Either way, there's no sense in trying to understand exactly why people want one size over another. Personally, I'm not fond of cube tanks, but that's just me, and it doesn't mean that cube tanks are worse than the kind of tanks I like.

[cmcoker]

40b is included in petco dollar a gallon sale, haven't ever seen the 50g included.. so cost is probably a factor for many.

[QuitClowning]

40b is included in petco dollar a gallon sale, haven't ever seen the 50g included.. so cost is probably a factor for many.

Good point. I thought the 50g was included in their ad but looking at their upcoming one it looks like only the 10, 20, 29, 40, and 55g is.

http://www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_dollarpergallon.aspx

[cmcoker]

Yeah, if I was going for this size tank the extra $100, or whatever, wouldn't make sense for a 10 gallon difference

[Reef Frog]

Reading these forums, it's usually the 55 gallon size that is "disliked" and many undecided folks are advised against it. I think the issue is always the front to back dimension. 12 inches is crowded for aquascaping purposes.

I don't think I've ever seen a 50g as described above for sale at Petco or a LFS. I didn't know it was a common size for mass produced aquariums.

[Aframomum]

For me it was the availability of the 40b at Petco's sale. Mine didn't offer a 50, just the 55 and I didn't want a narrow tank. But if they had stacks of 50's next to the 40's I probably would have walked out with a 50.

[toothybugs]

I've never seen that 50. If I had, I would have gone that way instead.

For that matter, I didn't see a 65 either until a few months after my 40 was set up.

[oseymour]

I got the 50 "breeder" tank because I think the extra water volume would help with stability over time. I also went with a deep sand bed which is an extra 4 to 5 inches used.

I've never actually seen the 50 breeder in stores on display, I went to a Petland Discounts store who special ordered it for me.

[Hulkster]

According to Aqueon (maker of the popular $1 / gallon):
40g breeder = 36.2" x 18.3" x 17"
50g = 36.4" x 18.4" x 25"



slight correction here, the 36x18x25 tank is actually the 65g, the 50g is 19 tall.

another reason why the 40br is so popular vs the 50 breeder is that at least with the aqueon version, the 40br is braceless, the 50br has a plastic cross brace.

reef keepers love braceless tanks (no light blocked out here lol)

-Hulk

[CStrickland]

You're overthinking it. Most of the tanks that are big enough to keep decent fish in and priced in the starter range at pet stores or on Craigslist are 40b and 55. Between the two, the 40 is a better choice.

[saf1]

40B is popular because it is a good size, almost 50 gallons anyway, and always included in the $1 per gallon sale.

The 55 isn't as others pointed out, no depth.

50 gallons are not offered ever, or at least that I have seen. It is typically considered a different tank. So that is why people pick up the 10's, 20's and 40 breeder line. The 40 is really a solid size. I have 2 one which is a reef and another that my daughter uses as a fresh water planted tank.

Sadly my 3 rose bubble tip anems already out grew the 40 so now I'm going to do a 140 to 180 again focusing on depth...if they out grow this tank, then it is time to give them away.

[KafudaFish]

These are not cubes or cube like tanks.

Hth.

[jimmyj7090]

50G tanks typically have a center brace, 40B tanks do not.

Everyone stocks 40B tanks, 50G tanks are not common at all.

40B has better surface area/gas exchange with the same foot print.

40B kind of hits a sweet spot where it can be built with very thin glass and get away with it keeping price and weight low. IIRC 50G tanks need to be built more heavily adding to cost and discouraging stores from stocking them. (no one uses 3/8" glass to build 40Bs)

Overall the 40B simply makes a better / more practical choice.

[Shawn O]

[QUOTE=QuitClowning;24000731]Good point. I thought the 50g was included in their ad but looking at their upcoming one it looks like only the 10, 20, 29, 40, and 55g is.

I've been trying to find a 30 gallon tank (for a sump) at Petco, which is also not part of the $1/gal sale but they don't seem to stock them. This would be ideal for me as my HOB skimmer needs a minimum 16" high tank to sit on and it would fit in my stand with about 1" to spare.

36 1/4" x 12 5/8" x 16 3/4" AGA (Aqueon)
36" x 13" x 16" Marineland

[ca1ore]

Don't think I've ever actually seen a 50B. Maybe it's like BigFoot - lots of people who claim a sighting, but none can produce any actual evidence of existence.

[jimmyj7090]

I saw a video once, but I'm pretty sure it was really a 40B in a cheesy costume.

[Sk8r]

Had an Oceanic reefready 54 wedge that was splendid (except no room in stand)---and is still in service as a freshwater. Great tank. I can tell you that there's no perfect size or shape re everybody's situation. I have a tall 105 wedge. I use a painting ladder to do maintenance and use a net to reach the bottom---which otherwise requires me to remove a super-heavy canopy and soak myself past the shoulder getting a finger-reach to the sandbed. So it can be inconvenient for some purposes. Love the tank? Yes. Could I recommend a tank I'd like even better? Probably a 300 g columnar, but probably the central downflow is a PITA to deal with, requiring not only a ladder but a painter's walk.

[CStrickland]

Don't think I've ever actually seen a 50B. Maybe it's like BigFoot - lots of people who claim a sighting, but none can produce any actual evidence of existence.

Lol@ tanksquatch

[ca1ore]

Lol@ tanksquatch

Very good, I like that!

[Tweaked]

Lol@ tanksquatch

bahahahahha