Best dimension for ~300 gallon reef aquarium?

[creator]

Also, for larger tanks like those ~300 is it better to have an acrylic or glass tank? (Which is safer, lasts longer, etc).

 

[kcinnick]

I am still in the glass camp at 300 gallons. Something like 84X36X24 or similar.

Getting much bigger and most tanks will have PVC bottoms.

 

[Sapelo]

We have a DD...6 long, 3 deep.
I wasn't sure how I would feel about the extra depth and 6 feet instead of 8, but we weren't planning to stock a lot of big fish (or any really, we do have a blonde naso) and the layout of our house allows for a lot of side viewing.
Five months in, I like it way more than I expected. The fish do use the depth more than I thought and aquascaping is really nice.
It's a glass tank and I would not dream of going acrylic at this size.

 

[Ron Reefman]

As far as materials go, it's a matter of what's important to you. They can both work and they have different advantages and disadvantages.

As for size/shape, I have a 6'x2'x2' 180g and if I were to change I'd do a 6' or 8' by 30" or 3' thick and 2' deep at the max, maybe even as shallow as 18". But that's just what I would like. Your likes may be completely different.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I have an acrylic 10' x 30" x 24".
It fits well with out plans for a room divider.

 

[biecacka]

I don't have a 300 gallon tank, but I would want that depth in the front to back. It really opens up the ability to aquascape it nicely.

corey

 

[ca1ore]

Of all the tanks I have ever owned, my favorite was 8' long, 30" tall and 36" wide (front to back). It was a plywood tank with a front glass panel - and somewhat bigger than 300 . I've always used a glass tank, but at that kind of size I'd probably look at acrylic.

 

[creator]

Yes, I prefer wide tanks. And as for the material I just care about which will be the strongest, best built, safest etc.

Would you recommend an acrylic of almost the same dimensions as the 300 deep dimension perfecto tank over the perfecto starphire glass tank?

 

[Cosmojo]

There isn't really an overall best dimension, it just matters what will fit your style best. Personally, I would prolly get an 8' long tank, just to make sure there's enough swimming room for some of the bigger fish I would want. I have a 180 now, but I am still in an apartment, with a cross country move likely in the next few years, I don't want to get any bigger right now. When we get our house, I will either get an 8 or 10.