Large Tank / New Home

[Boostable]

Question for all you large tank guys...

I am in the design process of a new house we are looking to build next year and I am planning on adding the necessary provisions in the build process to support a large tank in the living area. (plumbing, electrical, remote room, etc.)

I have been toying around with the following size.

Width: 60" or 72"
Height: 24"
Depth: 36"
Your tank's volume is approximately 224.4 U.S. gallons.

I would ask the blanket question "should I go bigger" but we all know the answer to that.... lol I can design to accommodate almost any size within reason.

What I would like to ask is this..

What has been your favorite size, and why?
Do you like more Width or Depth?
Ever put in a tank just to find out it was just to big?
Min size to keep a big tang?

Things like that... Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Jack

 

[Atomic081]

I have a 225 - 72 long, 24 deep, 30 tall

I do not like the 30" tall. I cannot reach the bottom without going up to my shoulder in water. 26-28 tall would be perfect.

72" long gives you the ablity to get alot more fish, tangs and other large fish need a min of 72" to swim.

depth to me reallly matters how your gonna aquascape. at 24" im able to have a island and have fish swim around it on all sides. I think 30" deep would be about perfect though.

So my perfect size, 72 long, 28 tall, 30 deep.

 

[Boostable]

Thanks Ross, thats the kind of feedback I am looking for.

I have had a few larger tanks, 220 and a 250DD. I agree with you on the tall tanks, very difficult to maintain. I am definitely tossing around the idea of going longer for all the reason's you mentioned. I have never had a really long take, so would be a nice change.

Jack

 

[slief]

Mine is 48"x96"x24" tall and is setup as a peninsula. It's also drywalled in from top to bottom. I'm obviously biased but a 48"x96"x30" or 36" tall wouldn't be to bad either.. And yes, bigger is always better.

This is a somewhat recent video walk around of the tank. Maybe it will give you some ideas for size and layout.
<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aPek2JatCPg?list=UUvWr8KN2BmfBg4D-vJWwLFA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Boostable]

Thats pretty sick!!! I like it.. Very nice!!!

 

[NewMariner]

If money wasn't an option, I would have gone with a 10 foot long tank. I also would increase the depth to about 48".

Thats before I have water in my tank in my sig though. Ask me about this size after mine is up and running..

 

[dave.m]

You haven't mentioned how the tank will sit in the room. Will you have access from both sides? If not, then you have to consider how you will reach across a wide tank. Just as some complain about a too tall tank, a too wide tank can also be difficult to maintain. Having access from both sides is best.

Dave.M

 

[Boostable]

Here is what I have in mind.. Tank will be viewable from all sides. Sorry about the size.

View coming in front door.

View from living area.

 

[dave.m]

Nice images. Wish I could get the software to work for me so well. If you are going with a really wide tank then you will want an access panel above the tank on the kitchen side (unless you're an orangutan).

Dave.M

 

[Boostable]

Nice images. Wish I could get the software to work for me so well. If you are going with a really wide tank then you will want an access panel above the tank on the kitchen side (unless you're an orangutan).

Dave.M

Good idea, I had not considered that. Thats the kinda help I need.. lol

 

[DavidinGA]

I have a standard 210gal (6ftx2ftx29) and it doesn't seem very big anymore. If I had your room for a tank I would go a lot bigger. Probably a 400 gallon tank at least.

The standard 400 gallon is a 96x36x30 which is what I personally want and I would stick in your location.

 

[slief]

Here is what I have in mind.. Tank will be viewable from all sides. Sorry about the size.

View coming in front door.

View from living area.

Very nice!! That is going to be one heck of tank! Looking forward to seeing the drawings become a reality! When are you going to get started?

 

[msderganc]

I would definitely look at the fish you want to keep. As someone mentioned, longer tanks allow for a lot of fish such as the larger tangs and angels. Plus, lighting is harder to plan for off sizes such as 5'.

If I were to do it again, I would have gone with a 6' tank instead of 5'. My next tank will be at least ten feet. I also like the aquascape possibilities of deeper tanks, so it will be at least 4' deep. The height doesn't matter too much as long as you can reach the bottom comfortably, and have lighting to match.

 

[Boostable]

Very nice!! That is going to be one heck of tank! Looking forward to seeing the drawings become a reality! When are you going to get started?

We are quite a ways off yet. We are just doing basic site planning now, which is why I needed a good house plan to make sure the site would work. Of course once I start planning the tank has to be included.. lol

MAYBE next summer..

 

[Scythanith]

I have a 72" x 24" x 36" tank, I am a short guy with stubby arms and 24" tall is a perfect height to work with The design looks nice!

 

[biecacka]

I have a 48/48/24 tank. Love it to death


Corey

 

[FishBoss]

Mine is 48"x96"x24" tall and is setup as a peninsula. It's also drywalled in from top to bottom. I'm obviously biased but a 48"x96"x30" or 36" tall wouldn't be to bad either.. And yes, bigger is always better.

This is a somewhat recent video walk around of the tank. Maybe it will give you some ideas for size and layout.
<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aPek2JatCPg?list=UUvWr8KN2BmfBg4D-vJWwLFA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Hey arent you from la fish guy ?!

 

[MCC]

If you can go any size you want, what I read and personally like are as long as you can fit and a depth of 24+ inches. I find the deeper the tank the nicer aquascape can be / coral placement and more room for fish to swim in.

Height wise I am not a fan of tall tanks, as its hard to light and aquascape. Anything around 20 inches is a max for me. but that is just IMO.

 

[untico]

I have a 96 x24x30 tall, what I regret the most is not going with 36 wide. I would recommend 96 long and 36 wide but if you can afford it 48 would be perfect and no less than 30 in tall unless your short cause it's going to be tough reaching a 30 deep with short little arms jk. I have cheap blue/white LEDS and they reach the bottom with enough PAR to grow all sorts of LPS and some SPS that a friend gave me since I thought my lights were not strong enough but they are doing well 5 months later and growing. Most new full Spectrum LEDS would be excellent for a big tank like that and supplement with some T5's if you want. I get away with not having a chiller (energy hog) cause of the LEDS. A big tank like that and you would need a 1Hp chiller or more to keep cool with MH. I use 2 x300 watt Titanium heaters with an Apex controller. Overall my tank is pretty simple and lots of Mixed corals to the enjoyment of the family. Just plan the overflow well so it's quiet with a bean animal setup or you'll have Niagara Falls in your place. Just my 5 cents.