How shallow can a tank be

[Tarpon001]

I'm in the process of starting my first reef tank. I'm reading Natural Reef Aquariums by Tullock and researching the web for more info. Anyway, to make a long story short, I'm trying to find a tank (glass) in the 38-45 gal range that has a built in overflow and is drilled. The only place I've been able to find one is at Glasscages.com but they won't customize (overflow, ect..) the tank I want (38 Gal. 36 x 12½ x 17 Tall). The next best choice is the 40 Long 36 x 18 x 13 Tall, but I was thinking that 13" tall will be very shallow if I want to put corals up past the middle of the tank. Is 13" too shallow and if so does anyone know where I can get a tank in the 40-45 gal range that is deeper, with overflow and drilled? I'm also concerned that the 150W Metal Halide that is being gifted to me may warm up a 13" tall tank too much. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[m2434]

Should be fine. Keep the MH up high 8-12 inches is my preference with a fan pointed at the surface of the water, if heat becomes an issue.

 

[m2434]

By the way

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

 

[Tarpon001]

Thanks for the welcome and for your response. Looks like I'll find a lot of good help and info in these forums.

 

[Capt_Cully]

My friend has a 40 long. I swore it was a 55. It's got nice dimensions and you can give it a really nice aquascape. It will allow you to place SPS corals anywhere in the tank because it's shallow. If you notice they are getting "burnt", you can always raise the light.

We went to a tank store and he bought 2 more because so many people complemented him on it. He's going to have them available to sell to the next person that gets hooked.

Oh and.....WELCOME!!!!

 

[snorvich]

Welcome. It has been my experience that the depth is the most important dimension because of difficulty, ease of aquascaping. The ideal for this is probably 24 inches; more is better, 20 inches is probably the minimum. The second most important dimension is height. I think you will be happiest if height is 20-4 inches tall. The least important dimension is length unless you are in love with tangs.