adding radious to tank corners for large fish

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platax88

Active member
So ive decided to change directions a bit in the hobby after almost 20 years of reefkeeping and finally pursue what actually got me into the hobby which is the beauty of an adult emperor angel and the large make naso tang. I currently have a 180 and that wont cut it... it is very important for me to provide appropriate long term homes for my fish... so after watching a 10" naso it is obvious that this guy wants to swim and not stop. Imo it looks unnatural setting one swim the slab off an aquarium then have to turn around.... the solution is simple. The ideal tank is a large cylindrical where he would be able to swim non-stop..... the problem is that they are super expensive and I have looked and looked for used ones which will still be out of my price range.... so here is where I need your opinion.

I have sourced a 48 x 48 tank with slim center overflow. Now if I where to add a curved acrylic panel (think of an inverted corner overflow) to the corners this would mimic a cylindrical shape and allow for large gyre flow. Do u think doing this will promote the naso to swim the entire tank around the overflow instead of wanting to switch direction as you see in rectangular tanks.

I have seen this done for sharks so they dont get stuck in corners but have no idea how it would work for a large naso.

The next question is how much of a curve is necessary so I am not wasting too much space.

I know this is kinda of a weird scenario... any help is appreciated!
 
EDIT: I think this may clear somethings. The shape i am mimicking would be consider a double bullnose i think not a cylinder. Here are top-down views at different curvature

48CUBE.jpg
 
I am not sure 4 x 4 is large enough for such a big swimmer...ime, they need linear feet to ge really happy or a large cylinder...have you considered a coast to coast overflow? runs the width of one side of the tank...this way there is nothing in the center of the tank... just my ..02...good luck!
 
humaguy said:
I am not sure 4 x 4 is large enough for such a big swimmer...ime, they need linear feet to ge really happy or a large cylinder...have you considered a coast to coast overflow? runs the width of one side of the tank...this way there is nothing in the center of the tank... just my ..02...good luck!
Click to expand...

See i thought that a center obstruction would be better. they would have linear space to swim since they can continue non-stop all around. Same concept as a cylinder i thought??

I have no problem going with a linear large tank but thought this would maximize swimming space for it?
 
yeah, I though you might want that so the fish can swim laps around the center overflow... maybe a 6 foot diameter would be more practical??
 
I personally think that swimming in 4' circles wouldn't be any better for big fish like that than say, an 8'-10' linear tank. In fact I think they would feel more confined. I'm not sure if having the corners rounded would do any more to encourage swimming in circles either. I usually only see that sort of design on tanks meant for sharks and rays, to prevent damage to their noses.

I've seen some very long/wide rectangular tanks that have center overflows, but with the extra length. For your purposes it seems like that would be more cost effective and just as good, if not better, for the fish.
 
I would recommend a coast to coast overflow if going with a large rec tank...nice not having the overflows in the middle of the tank...
 
What size would you recommend? Would a 300 DD work? It is 72 x 36 x 27...

I really like the depth, but most tanks are 24
 
I get your what you're after and I hope you'll like my suggestion. Love the big fish you mentioned, but my approach would be to still make its surroundings as natural as possible. Use rockwork in the corners, multi-columns or huge structures (mix it up) that will act as barriers the fish will avoid when they're racing 'round but still provide a great resting spot to recharge. Dress it up with tall gorgs or macro algae to soften up the hard edges and i think you would accomplish the admirable goal of accommodating your large swimmers, and as a bonus, enjoy your smaller fish closer to you when they make their favouriite corner home. Free up the entire middle 'track' of rocks except in the middle to try and hide the overflow.
 
Very cool! But would u still pursue this with a 48x48 tank?
rickcasa said:
I get your what you're after and I hope you'll like my suggestion. Love the big fish you mentioned, but my approach would be to still make its surroundings as natural as possible. Use rockwork in the corners, multi-columns or huge structures (mix it up) that will act as barriers the fish will avoid when they're racing 'round but still provide a great resting spot to recharge. Dress it up with tall gorgs or macro algae to soften up the hard edges and i think you would accomplish the admirable goal of accommodating your large swimmers, and as a bonus, enjoy your smaller fish closer to you when they make their favouriite corner home. Free up the entire middle 'track' of rocks except in the middle to try and hide the overflow.
Click to expand...
 
humaguy said:
I would recommend a coast to coast overflow if going with a large rec tank...nice not having the overflows in the middle of the tank...
Click to expand...

Agreed. I had assumed it would be a peninsula of sorts, or stand alone tank, with the initial design the op had planned. If you have options, humaguy's suggestion would be nice.
 
the overflow is already in the center. i could however remove it and patch it up if you thing coast to coast would be better.
 
Hi Everyone,

I've decided to pursue this but I am ditching the silly idea of the curvature. I will instead do as rickcasa recommended and make some natural obstruction with rock that the fish will naturally avoid. It would be cool to peg and epoxy even a ledge from one of the corners to the overflow pillar.

After talking with some people who have large Naso's they feel that the tank will be great for one specially with the large gyre current which the fish will love to ride.

Thanks everyone!
 
:thumbsup:

Great choice. I find my big naso loves to weave in and out of tall arches/pillars/spires in my rockwork. Have some fun with it and post pictures! :)
 
silicon works great...just get the right kind...I siliconed rock to my overflow to camo it...put in a couple ledges too...
 
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