Large tank, do I go with 32" or 36" tall?

[Constantin]

I need to settle on my tank hight, the tank is 72"x30" x 30-36" I like the dramatic look of a taller tank, but rockwork and light penetration scare me off abit.

Those of you with really tall tanks, say around 36" do you regret going that tall, and how is the light penetration? If you wouldnt go as tall again, please tell why?

Those of your with 30" tall, do you wish you went even taller?

I really need to decide on this today, so help me out.

 

[JRF]

HI
It really boils down to personal preference. My current tank is 34" tall ( not set up yet ). I too like the look of a tall tank, I will have to use a couple 400W MH to get light penetration, and cleaning may be an issue unless you have long arms like me! You can use long handled scrapers, ect for cleaning, and a good floating cleaning magnet will help a lot...
JRF

 

[reefkoi]

Mine is 30" tall and I wish I had a 34"-36" tall tank. I have to use tongs for everything anyway so an extra 6" wouldn't be a big deal anyway but I think the look would be more dramatic.

C

 

[tolthoff]

I agree that it is a matter of personal preference. I also like the looks of a tall tank. However, it becomes hard to clean and reach anything at the bottom. Even though I would have preferred a 36" tall tank, I'm glad I went with the 30 inch. How deep are you thinking for a sand bed?

 

[SaraB]

I had a 30" and found it a pain to reach things even with a 5" sandbed. You can kinda reach straight down, but any other area would be out of reach. I ordered a 26" tank for the new one so I could reach better! It's all preference, but you want it to be easy to clean and reach things without climbing in!

 

[ntino]

was thinking of maybe a 4" sandbed, if even that, actually now that i think of it, no more than 3".
I have a 25" tall right now and its sorta fine,. but I dont like the look, especially since my stand is only 30" tall... I would like some water at eye level

 

[jrcastro]

I had a 30" tall tank & it was a pain to get corals at the bottom of the tank. But if you have long arms 30" would be ok. 36" might be too long unless you got arms like Yao Ming!

Also, you have to consider going taller you will need much thicker acrylic / glass wich = more $.

BTW: my 30" tall tank cracked and ended up going 25"tall. way easier to aquascape and clean. that's my 2 cents.

 

[SaraB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13656659#post13656659 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jrcastro

BTW: my 30" tall tank cracked and ended up going 25"tall. way easier to aquascape and clean. that's my 2 cents.

Ditto here, but mine is now 26". That was the max height before a huge increase in price on the custom tank!

 

[roktsintst]

my neighbor has a 36" tall tank that i aquascaped. it has a very nice look being so tall but it is very difficult to work with. if you can design it so you can lay on top of the tank and wear a scuba mask and snorkel w/ a good pair of tongs, it would be well worth it. if you don't want to hassle it, i would go 28"!

 

[Constantin]

Wow, a snorkel? how about light requirements for an sps tank?
Right now i am leaning towards a 32" tall.

 

[Freed]

My tank is 24" tall and even that bothers me being that I have to reach way down for some things and pressing up against the top and front of the tank like that with my torso makes me wonder how strong the seams on the tank actually are.

 

[mm949]

mines 48" tall w/ SPS....no issues except reaching the bottom

 

[marinelife]

My current is 30" and I like it, my next one is 75" and due to be install Dec 6th
Go tall and get in and play with the fish.

 

[Constantin]

Anybody else here with a tall tank? help me decide!

 

[bullitr]

i love the look of a tall tank thats why i currently have 30" but after a while is becaming a pain especially reaching the bottom. if you must invest of a good pair of tongs and snorkel

 

[Claudio D]

Mine is 1,00 meter tall (39,3 inches) with 4 inches sand bed, once you go over 24-26 inches you will be using tongs and a nice platform to work ( I have a mobile on so a can set it in front of my tank and work "from above") so go 36 the improvement in display is worth it.

For light 400W will do...

regards

Claudio
Caracas, Venezuela