Looking to go BIG but not sure on the dimensions-Suggestions Needed

[wfgworks]

Ok, I'm going to be finishing my basement early next year and would like to upgrade my current tank.

I'm unsure of the dimensions as I'm staying open to different options in hope of finding a good deal on a big tank local or even if I have to drive a few hours to get it.

Below are three dimensions I have been considering. I want the depth to be at least 3ft and length to be at least 6ft and cant go longer than 8ft and height has to be 27" or less because of restrictions of getting the tank into the basement.

Current tank is young in SPS so the new one will be the same.

Possible options
96x36x27
72x48x27
72x36x27 (300DD Marineland)

Will the extra lenght be worth it or is the depth the way to go?

I would like to have both depth and length but feel the cost to light would be too much for me at this point.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks,

Bill

 

[patmack]

You will also have to consider that the marineland 300 DD is a standard built tank. You will not have to worry about finding a custom tank builder and the potential headaches that could come with owning a custom tank.

 

[wfgworks]

Also, more than likely, my plan is toset the tank up as a penisula style so it can be viewed from 3 sides.

 

[AS]

Mine is 96x36x30

If anything i would go wider for aquascaping and adding more contour and 3D look.

Mine divides 2 rooms and i have the overflows in the center of short sides to align with where the walls meet the tank.

You will probably never kick yourself for gong bigger

 

[Cahooligan]

glasscages.com maybe go down the list of their stock tanks, such as the 300- 96x30x25

 

[wfgworks]

AS

If you had the option to have a 96x36 tank or a 72x48, would you scarifice length to have a wider tank?

 

[AS]

Probably,

I think you could do some cool aquascaping with 48"

I like to keep stuff 6"s away from glass on each side, so i loose 12"

 

[SuperNemo]

IMO 96x48x27

would love a 144x48x27 in the very very very distant future....droolll.....

 

[Kataro]

I'd go w/ the 72X48... I prefer depth =), you can do some very crazy 3D looking scape..

Check out Steve Weast tank

 

[wfgworks]

SuperNemo IMO 96x48x27

If I came across that size setup I would consider for the right price.

I tend to see more 96x36 and the height varies.

 

[dzfish17]

I would go at least 36" wide and as long as you can go for the space/money.

Dave

 

[noobtothereef]

120x48widex30 tall or 27 tall for basement

 

[crsaz]

go as big as you can afford, you wont regret going bigger but you will regret going smaller than you could have. 96"x48"x27" would be nice for aquascaping but 96"x60"x27" would be better. my dream tank is a 144"x72"x30" peninsula

 

[tom obrecht]

At some point you have to take into account maintenace on the tank. My last tank was 96 x 36 x 28, had access all the way around (including a catwalk on the back side and I still had wet tshirts every time I tried to grab a coral in the middle of the tank. I think with 48" wide (even though I agree the added width can be awesome for asthetics) can be a pain to work with. If I had to do it over again I would go 96 x 36 x 24 (and rimless if possible). I had a 4" eurobracing that was a bit unhandy as well. Just my $.02

 

[wfgworks]

noobtothereef 120x48widex30 tall or 27 tall for basement

Would LOVE a 10ft tank but because of where the basement door is, 8ft is the longest I can go.

I appreciate all the input guys so keep it coming.

I saw a used tank on RC thats 72x48x27, just waiting to hear back from the guy. Thats why I have been asking for others opinions between a 6ft tank and a 8ft tank. I would be saving a good amount of money versus buying new.

If anyone knows or sees a big tank for sale, I'm in the Philly area but am willing to drive (6-7hrs) to get the tank.

 

[teesquare]

It really depends on the space you have to work with: Can you access the tank from all four sides? If not, you do NOT want a tank that is 48'' deep ( front - to- back dimensions).

I have long arms ( 36'' sleeve length ) and I am 6'-1'' tall. It still is a "snorkeling adventure" to get to the back - bottom corners of my tank, which is 36'' deep. I do like the 36'' visually, and the 27" height is more than enough.
T

 

[wfgworks]

It really depends on the space you have to work with: Can you access the tank from all four sides? If not, you do NOT want a tank that is 48'' deep ( front - to- back dimensions).

I would think having access from 3 sides would allow me to get to pretty much anywhere in the tank, even at 48" deep. You dont think so?

The plan is to have the tank be a Peninsula, it will only be accessible from 3 sides. I like the idea of being able to view the tank from three sides and for the tank to act like a wall create a seperate space for like a bar area.

I agree with that you can do some cool things with the rock work.

I'm staying open to all ideas as I hope to get lucky and find a nice used tank here on Reef Central but we'll see.

Only real limitations I have is the length cant be longer than 8ft and height of the tank has to be around 27" or less to get it through the doorway into the basement.

 

[tom obrecht]

I would think having access from 3 sides would allow me to get to pretty much anywhere in the tank, even at 48" deep. You dont think so?

Perhaps cut a large cardboard box and set it up like you are envisioning. If you can get to everything you want to at 48 wide then fine. I personally had trouble getting to the middle sections of the tank (down low) without getting soaked. Even cleaning the front glass down towards the bottom was difficult because of the eurobracing (4"). Not trying to ruin your dream tank vision but 48 wide is tough to work on the mid sections of the tank unless you have a shallow tank (less than 24" high) IMO.

 

[teesquare]

Yep, I was not thinking "in peninsula" You could certainly make that easier to deal with than if it were flat againgst the wall on it's long side!

I would think having access from 3 sides would allow me to get to pretty much anywhere in the tank, even at 48" deep. You dont think so?

The plan is to have the tank be a Peninsula, it will only be accessible from 3 sides. I like the idea of being able to view the tank from three sides and for the tank to act like a wall create a seperate space for like a bar area.

I agree with that you can do some cool things with the rock work.

I'm staying open to all ideas as I hope to get lucky and find a nice used tank here on Reef Central but we'll see.

Only real limitations I have is the length cant be longer than 8ft and height of the tank has to be around 27" or less to get it through the doorway into the basement.

 

[Dwerbs]

go wide 48 inches