Opinions on 30" tall tanks, please

[paul_111]

Hi All,

I'm researching the move into the 200+ realm and have come across some questions:

Is a 30" tall tank too high for the average person (if I put a canopy on, that's close to 34" once the sandbed is subtracted out)?
How do you mess with low-lying corals or the sandbed?
Is it worth the added cost?
If you have a 30" tall, would you do it again?

Thanks!
Paul

 

[ipiniowa]

My 210G is 30" and I have no problem reaching. I also don't have a canopy and am going BB, but no problem so far. I would absolutely do it again because I really like the overall height. It leaves more for me to view.

 

[RParker]

I really like the overall look of the taller tanks. I'm a tall guy at 6'2" so I don't have much of a problem with reaching the bottom of the tank. Due to the height of the stand I do need to stand on a step stool to do so though.

 

[hicmndr]

I love the look of my 30" tall (96x24x30), however I'm already finding it a pain to place things on the sandbed. I'm short (5' 6"), so my wife finds it quite funny to see me hanging off of a step ladder sprawled across the top of my tank with my arm into the water up to my shoulder.

Mine is an in-wall tank, so it is difficult to see the the end-result without climbing off the tank and running around to the other side.

Despite the challenges I'm quite happy with mine and don't regret going with the 30".

If I went any deeper I'd have to place everything with tongs...

 

[ipiniowa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10595228#post10595228 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hicmndr
I love the look of my 30" tall (96x24x30), however I'm already finding it a pain to place things on the sandbed. I'm short (5' 6"), so my wife finds it quite funny to see me hanging off of a step ladder sprawled across the top of my tank with my arm into the water up to my shoulder.

Mine is an in-wall tank, so it is difficult to see the the end-result without climbing off the tank and running around to the other side.

Despite the challenges I'm quite happy with mine and don't regret going with the 30".

If I went any deeper I'd have to place everything with tongs...

In wall as well, but I use gloves that I get from the farm supply store that go up past my armpit.

 

[Wryknow]

I love the visual impact of the extra height myself and will probably get an even taller tank if I ever decide to upgrade. It made setting-up the live rock a little bit more difficult but it's rarely been an issue since then. I've gotten pretty decent with using the "claw" with a little bit of experience.

 

[Spleef]

my tank is 30" and I am 5'9" I have to use a step ladder when cleaning the bottom of the tank. They obviously have the usual longer cleaner tools but, sometimes I just like to whipe it with a cloth.

I personally would not due it again. I do really like the added display but, would rather clean from the ground.

Just my $.02

 

[Waxxiemann]

any glass thickness considerations at 30"?

 

[mflamb]

I have a 30", but no experience yet. Rock and sand go in Saturday night and should be full by Monday evening. I live the look...hopefully I'll like it when it's wet. The top of my tank is right at 6 feet off the ground.

 

[savethereef]

my tank is a 48L x 18W x 30H and my stand is 36 inches tall plus the canopy is 14 inches tall for a total of 80 inches so the tank is 6ft and 8 inches tall me i am 6 feet 5 inches tall so its nice. i dont regret having such a tall tank because it looks nice all the rock pilled up and to reach things i have a grab it thing and i use a Kent marine with a 24 inch handle so its cool. BTW i used 250w SE

 

[nyvp]

120x36x30 tank with 40" stand 3/4 bottom and 1/2 sides 3 side low iron. only thing looking back i would change is going bigger to 128x42x32.In my opion, I think that long tanks ( 8 foot +) dont look right being thin and long (24"). They look very squat. 5'10" and no problems.4x400w lumIII's with pfo hqi radiums.

 

[Elliott]

mine is 96x24x30, I'm 6'4" with long arms so the bottom is within reach. I would definitely do 30 high again, possibly even 32.

 

[250G]

I would guess there is a correlation between the hight of the tank and how clean the bottom 2 inches of the tank/glass is. When it is difficult to clean, you will not enjoy doing it. And when the tank is not clean less people enjoy looking at it.

Most people redoing their tanks and still going 30' high are lowering their stands to make it easier to clean and access. Something to consider.

 

[KurtsReef]

I am on my second 30" tall tank, magnafloat (or other magnetic cleaner) prevents you from needing too reach in except too move something. There are tools that aid in reaching the bottom...I am 6' tall and have too have my armpit at the top of the water in order too reach the bottom but do not find that too be an issue and like the looks of 30" deep tanks.

 

[Shaun120]

I have a 225 in wall 72x24x30. I initially wanted a 240 but the placement of my tank had to be within the 8' distance between center braces (wouldn’t fit with framing of walls). I would have liked a tank with more depth but I got a great deal on the 225 with Starfire. After getting it set up and running I love the height of the tank and it looks balanced in the wall (top to bottom). I'm 6'4" and I have to reach to get to the bottom, but I love the height of the tank!

The only thing is that I only plan on having 250HQI over the tank so light penetration may be an issue at some point, but that is debatable.