Pros and Cons of a 150g cube

[Olathereefer]

I had a 240g mixed reef tank that I had to leave behind when I sold my home. It was built into the wall and the new homeowner wanted it. I am looking at getting a new tank but instead of another 8ft tank I was looking into getting a 150g cube. Just looking to get some pros and cons from fellow reefers that have one. Obviously the tangs are going to have to be removed from the stocking list and putting a large sump under a 3ft tank is something that needs to be figured out.

 

[acsamples79]

ill join in with a some slight input. i had a cube, it was 300 gallons. i really thought id like it but it proved to be a bit more of a challenge than id like. once i built the stand it was very awkward for me to have underneath equipment the way i wanted sump had to be pretty small, plumbing from tank to sump, to fuge, back to tank wasnt terrible but it was a bit different. mainly i was never happy with my scape, or my fish limitations. it sucks to have a large tank volume but still not great swimming room for certain types. it was terrible but it was enough to convince me to switch back to a long tank and am currently building an 8ft long 300 gallon.

 

[j_mazzy]

I think it would be awesome for SPS and very small schooling fish. Outside of that you need room for swimming.

 

[farfromsea]

Cons, IMO (although my cube is much smaller) include:

>having to stand on a chair and stick my entire arm in the tank to barely scrape the bottom of the tank to rearrange things
>limited aquascaping compared to long tanks
>sump/refugium problems as mentioned above
>not actually having the additional space for those swimmers since they need length not just the gallons

Pros I would say are just like any other tank...enjoying my "indoor" reef

 

[dave.m]

Con: You wouldn't be posting here on the 180+ gallons forum any more.

Dave.M

 

[acsamples79]

+1 on the "hard to reach" thing as well depending on where and how it is setup it can be difficult to get to certain points of a cube to get to things.

 

[fe342185]

Hi,

I had a 180 6x2x2 and a 220 6x2x30". Now i have a 150 cube 36x36x27". All were a challenge if aquascapping and trying to reach the back from the front.

The 180 had a fish room behind and was easier.

The 220 always had my armpits wet when working on back or on the bottom of the tank. Lighting was tough too. Id stay away from tall tanks.

The 150 is a placed in the corner of a room so i can access from 2 sides and with a tall step stool things have been easier. There is a canopy so any work in the back requires me to remove or slide the canopy. I really like the look of the depth of deep dimension tanks. If i had the space in my current house i would get a 300 DD which is just double the 150 at 6'x3'x27".

Lighting I did 2 radion pros. Circulation is a gyre 150 running max of 40%. Return pump is vectra L1 at about 700gph. So the 150 cube is very energy efficient. I think a 6' tank would require more lights and circulation.

As for cons on 150 less swimming space for fish that likes to swim long ways. Large tangs and angels etc.
Weight less distributed. Mine in on first floor but I had to brace the floor joist from the basement.
Hard to reach back of stand from front. Deems it useless. I have a basement sump so not an issue for me. My stand only contains the ballast and power supplies of equipment and frag tank.
The manufactured stands are not tall at all making access to the back of the stand worse. I think they do this on purpose so it fits in most front doors since 4 sides are more than 36".
Heavy tank.1/2" glass on sides and 3/4" on bottom. Approx 260lbs.

Would I do it again? Yes but If i had mode room I would go 200 or 300 deep dimension.

Good luck.