They 55 really limits you to what you can do. It is the most popular "first big tank" and it is also the tank you grow out of the fastest.
why is the 40b tank so popular, over 55g?
- Thread starter rastoma
- Start date
I have a 40b and I love the foot print on it. Easy to scape and plenty of room, like
everyone said. I was going to get a 55g a couple years ago and wound up getting a 75g
instead for the same reason. Got my 40b at the petco $1 sale last year.
everyone said. I was going to get a 55g a couple years ago and wound up getting a 75g
instead for the same reason. Got my 40b at the petco $1 sale last year.
Hmmm.... well, I was correct. 40b does garner a lot of attention 
I appreciate the view points on the advantages that 40b seems to have.
Like everyone here, I'm anticipating the $1/gallon sale, and for months now I've been holding off on buying a 55 due to cost. I knew as soon as I did, the $1 sales would get announced 2 weeks later.
But I may go the 40b route now instead.
What if I was go do FO salt tank? Possibly FOWLR. Is there an advantage of 55 over 40b, or does still everything already mentioned still apply to saltwater setups too? I won't be drilling either for an overflow or sump.
I appreciate the view points on the advantages that 40b seems to have.
Like everyone here, I'm anticipating the $1/gallon sale, and for months now I've been holding off on buying a 55 due to cost. I knew as soon as I did, the $1 sales would get announced 2 weeks later.
But I may go the 40b route now instead.
What if I was go do FO salt tank? Possibly FOWLR. Is there an advantage of 55 over 40b, or does still everything already mentioned still apply to saltwater setups too? I won't be drilling either for an overflow or sump.
To me, a 40B looks more proportional. That said, I think that outside of $1 per gallon sales they've popularized this tank style...before, a lot of people (outside this community) went with the 55 because it was bigger, more widely produced, easier to find stands for, and could often be had in those awful kits.
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I wouldn't say it's more popular. By far, the 55 has more mass appeal...and judging by the threads on here, you see just how difficult it is to find a 40 breeder stand! Sort of the same for lights and hoods, but especially stands.
As has been said, a 40 breeder is just a much better size for aquascaping, more balanced proportions, not so much wasted space on the top. It's definitely a preferable tank for deep bodied fish that use all levels of the tank, such as cichlids, goldfish, etc.
As has been said, a 40 breeder is just a much better size for aquascaping, more balanced proportions, not so much wasted space on the top. It's definitely a preferable tank for deep bodied fish that use all levels of the tank, such as cichlids, goldfish, etc.
I'm so happy I read this board long enough before I bought my tank (started 7 weeks ago) so I knew a 40B was what I wanted (originally was going to start with a 10 gallon ha ha!!) It fits great on my daughter's dresser so I didn't need a stand. I am a short woman and my little stubby arms can reach all over this tank There's so much room for plants, and as already mentioned here, it has much more surface area/gallon than a 55, way better for gas exchange, and actually measures closer to 45 gallons despite the name.
It has made me think that when I set up a "large" tank I will always go for these type of proportions and will not go for extra gallons that only give you height - I wouldn't be able to reach to the bottom anyway! So I'd pick a 75 over a 90 etc. Not that extra gallons are bad, but again with short arms height is never going to be too useful to me.
There's so much room for plants, and as already mentioned here, it has much more surface area/gallon than a 55, way better for gas exchange, and actually measures closer to 45 gallons despite the name. It has made me think that when I set up a "large" tank I will always go for these type of proportions and will not go for extra gallons that only give you height - I wouldn't be able to reach to the bottom anyway! So I'd pick a 75 over a 90 etc. Not that extra gallons are bad, but again with short arms height is never going to be too useful to me.
kep in mind the species you are keeping..
for instance I keep angels and discus.. a tall tank is much more desirable
and while a 40 b may have a more desirable footprint..a 55 does have 15 more gallons and in general can be a more stable set up
for instance I keep angels and discus.. a tall tank is much more desirable
and while a 40 b may have a more desirable footprint..a 55 does have 15 more gallons and in general can be a more stable set up
digitalphrage
oh god how did this get here i am n
Yep, already covered in this thread, but to restate. The 40b provides more surface area per volume of water, which is typically a good thing unless you're trying to reduce surface exchange (such as in a CO2 supplemented tank).
Actually when you look at the dimensions, the "40"B fits just under 45 gal (about 44.8). The "55" fits only about 52.5 gal. So really only a 7 - 8 gallon difference.
Although definitely point taken about angels.The thing is, most fish swim in a plane. Near or at the top, near or at the bottom, or in the middle. Very few spend their time going up and down except for air.
