Why is it called "breeder"?

[MizTanks]

Why is a 40g called a *breeder*

[larryandlaura]

Breeders are shallower and wider then standard tanks. I thinking they are called breeders due to they were used for raising fry.

[Paulo]

More surface area for gas exchange. Important for fry when you cannot use filter. I believe that is why they have the different dimension not 100 percent sure.
Paulo

[larryandlaura]

More surface area for gas exchange. Important for fry when you cannot use filter. I believe that is why they have the different dimension not 100 percent sure.
Paulo

Yes Paulo you are correct!

[MizTanks]

Would it make a nice reef tank? 24x24x17

[jimsflies]

Would it make a nice reef tank? 24x24x17

Unless all of your equipment would work with it, I don't think it is enough of a size upgrade to be worth your while. If you can make your lights and other equipment work, then it would probably be worth it. If not, you might as well jump up to a 50 breeder which is a very common size for a reef.

[Sir Patrick]

A "Breeder", typically, is a tank with a 36"x18" footprint. Some of the "breeder" tanks smaller than 30 gallons and larger than 70 gallons will have different footprints.

My 67 gallon "breeder" isnt shallow at all, but is in the 36"x18" footprint, and is technicaly a breeder tank.

[rcombs]

i have a 40B and it is a nice tank for starting out, not the biggest one i have but its def got some room for a begginer, just to shallow to do much aquascaping is the only downer

[Paulo]

breeders are good b/c thier depth per gallon ratio is low allowing light to reach coral easier. Coral love life as we all know lol.
Paulo

[larryandlaura]

That is a great size Jamie. Look at Troys cube! And the shallow depth will give your corals plenty of light!