Minimum depth for see thru tank?

[BradR]

Am planning on buying tank to separate the basement into two living areas. The tank would be 'see thru' w/ starphire glass all around and would be viewable from 3 sides.
I think 36" (front to back) is the absoulute minimum for a tank that would be viewed from both sides. The wife prefers 24".
Our current tank is a 180 and is jam packed with rock and coral. The new tank would be 10' my way, 6-8' her way.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!

 

[Jflip2002]

36" would be a good depth. Ive got a 60x36x20, and its by no means a see through tank, but Ive got a good 1' of just swimming room in the front of the tank. I personally wouldnt go less than 36", though.

 

[Untamed12]

The water magnifies things and makes the back wall appear closer than it really is. If you are going to see through the back wall, I would go as deep as you possibly can.

My tank is visible from almost 4 complete sides. When people first see the tank, they stand in front for a while then they walk around one side, and always exclaim "I can't believe it is this WIDE"...because from the front it looks like you could touch the back wall, but it is really 4 feet away from you.

If I could do it over, I would have made the tank 6' x 6' instead of 6' x 4'.

 

[BradR]

Thanks for the info guys. K, I'll tell the wife it needs to be 8'deep and if I'm lucky she'll agree to 4', lol.

 

[mm949]

i would met in the middle 8'x30"......