[Newbie to SW] Ideas for a 4ft long, 1ft deep, as high as you want set up

[sixftsam]

Hey folks.

I've just moved into a new home and have a wall I'd love to set up an aquarium on. I've got plenty of experience with fresh water, and a little with salt (I had a little nano), but looking to try my hand at something a bit more fancy.

I'm looking at getting a custom tank made. The space for it to go into is about 13 inches deep, and it's got to be either 4 or 5 foot wide, but apart from that things are up for grabs.

Any ideas for a set up? Happy to try (easy) breeding, happy to try something else that might suit my requirements?

 

[Ron Reefman]

By 13" deep you mean 13" from front to back? Or 13" tall?

 

[ReefEco]

Hey there - some things to consider are access to the bottom of the tank (higher than 30" some consider difficult to maintain, as reaching the bottom is more difficult). In terms of setting up a new tank, accessibility is almost at the top of my list in system design, as I've learned that if it is a pain to reach, I am less inclined to clean/maintain it. If this tank is going in a wall as a divider, and you have access from both sides, awesome - if it is going in a wall and you only have 13" of front to back space to work with, that will limit your options, as you'll need to run probably some plumbing and cordage down the back of the tank, and be able to access it at anytime....

 

[sixftsam]

Thanks for the replies. The tank would be 13 inches deep, any height, and 4 or 5 foot long. It would be only accessible from the front, which it seems might cause some issues? In regards to the pipes however, I could do them from the sides and have a sump below if this would make things easier to deal with?

In your opinion, is this just too difficult to deal with, or would it be viable as a set up?

 

[sixftsam]

Also, thank you for the comment about going no higher than 30 inches. I think based on that, keeping it to 18 or 24 inches might be best, and then I should have enough space to access the bottom of the aquarium without too many troubles.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Also, thank you for the comment about going no higher than 30 inches. I think based on that, keeping it to 18 or 24 inches might be best, and then I should have enough space to access the bottom of the aquarium without too many troubles.

I had 24" deep tanks and they are OK to work in. But then I mase a 14" deep 4'x2' shallow reef tank and my newest tank is a 20" deep 5'x2' and I like the 20" way better than the 24" tank. It's so much easier to access everything in the tank. Just my 2 cents.:beer:

 

[sixftsam]

Thanks Ron, that's really useful to know.

So what would be your thoughts on a 5 foot long, x 13 inch deep x 20 inch high salt water tank? Worth doing, or would it just be too much of a pain to work in such a narrow area? And would such a slim tank have issues on making most fish species out of the question, or would it still allow a decent variety?

 

[protie]

Would like the second the suggestion of avoiding 30" height. I am currently using an acrylic tank that is just over 30" in height and working in the tank can be very frustrating. It certainly looks nice but I can guarantee my next tank will be 24" or less.

 

[ReefEco]

A bowfront aquarium might be interesting as well (if possible within the space), and give you more front to back room...

 

[sixftsam]

That's a great idea Reef, thank you. I'll look into a bowfront, although I'm scared what my wife will say about the cost of a custom made bowfront... No harm in asking!

 

[ReefEco]

Look at the standard 72g bowfront - not sure if the size narrow section of the tank is 13 inches - center that bows out is ~18, so it might work... yeah, custom bowfront sounds spendy ; )

 

[nereefpat]

a standard 55 gallon has those exact dimensions at 20" tall.

 

[neoh74]

I wouldnt go go more than 18-20" tall. Mine is 24" tall and it is a PITA to get to the bottom!