310 Gallon Questions

[MyOwnGrowOp]

So I have had 3 reef tanks so far. I started with a 20 gallon. Then jumped to my 120 that's been up for 6 years now, and we also set up a 6 gallon a few months ago. I am starting to think forward now and wanting to do a fairly large lagoon style tank. I'm thinking 5'x5'x20". what I'm wondering is, are there any cons to having a tank that's so wide and deep? My 120 is 24" deep so I'm not worried about the 20" depth. It's the 5'x5' I'm curious about. I'm just trying to do as much reeding as I can before I take the plunge and order it. Also, one big overflow in the middle of the back wall with 2 drains in it? Or 2 small ones in either back corner? Thanks in advance for the help

 

[Adam G]

2 things to consider: Can you reach the center of the tank & how are yougoing to light it? If you have those 2 covered then I see no other drawbacks as far as I am concerned.

 

[dave.m]

Why so shallow? 20" deep doesn't leave much room for coral growth or for fish to swim. It's not like you need to have your hands in there every day.

Dave.M

 

[MyOwnGrowOp]

Because I love the look of shallower reefs. If I go 24" then it will be hard to reach any more than 2' into the tank. (unless I build the stand pretty low). Either way, I'm not dead set on 20" deep. I'm still open to suggestions. That was just what I thought would look interesting. As for lighting, I have not decided yet. I'm thinking likely 3-4 400w MH and t5s for actinic supplementation. I'm also considering LED but I just don't know enough about them yet. Any suggestions?

 

[dave.m]

LEDs cost more up front but are cheaper and cooler to run. They are supposed to last about ten years without replacement. At only 20" deep you wouldn't need to get very powerful ones, just enough to get the blue end of the spectrum in.

I am thinking that a shallow tank 5' x 5' would be great if you prefer looking down into the tank instead of from the sides. Is that what you had in mind?

Dave.M

 

[MyOwnGrowOp]

Yes. The top of my 120 is pretty high. (5' at the top of the tank) and the idea behind the 5'x5'x20" is to have the top of the tank maybe 4' high so I can sit on a chair and look in the front or stand up and have no problem getting a nice top down view. And like I said, I wouldn't mind doing LED, just don't know what I would have to buy to light a tank this size for sps. Gotta do some more reeding

 

[dogstar74]

Build a cardboard mockup. Then reach inside it to see if it would be too hard to work in.

 

[MyOwnGrowOp]

Anyone have any suggestions for the overflow?

 

[porthoslohnes]

I don't have experience like some of the guys on here, but what about having the overflow be in the middle?

 

[TheFishTeen]

Anyone have any suggestions for the overflow?

Depends how this tank will be set up. If the far end will be against a wall, a.k.a peninsula style, the overflow should be at that far end.

If the tank will be all 4 side viewable, then a center island overflow is best.

 

[MyOwnGrowOp]

No the tank will be up against a wall. My question is, should their be 2 overflows (one in each back corner?) or in the middle of he back glass with both drains in one overflow? It's going to be a 3 side viewable tank

 

[CyclistMT]

I would go with a coast to coast overflow (aka calfo overflow) on the side of the tank against the wall. If you're going to run a protien skimmer, you'll get better results with a widest, thinest sheet of water possible going over the overflow.

That's what I'm going with on my 4'x5'x2' peninsula tank.