Tall or Wide??
- Thread starter BSchaible
- Start date
bugs713
In-A-Gadda-Divita!
Tall tanks display like none others!
I have a 38" tall 185g and I absolutely love it. BUT.... it is a whole different world when it comes to maintenance, placing frags etc. You have to really be dedicated to go over 28"! I have made special extension tools to help, but its still a PITA!
So, if you go tall, be prepared, it is not like a normal tank!
Good luck!
My build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2139179
I have a 38" tall 185g and I absolutely love it. BUT.... it is a whole different world when it comes to maintenance, placing frags etc. You have to really be dedicated to go over 28"! I have made special extension tools to help, but its still a PITA!
So, if you go tall, be prepared, it is not like a normal tank!
Good luck!
My build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2139179
o2manyfish
o2manyfish
I had a 300g FO which was 30" Tall and cleaning it was tough.
My reef tank is 96x33x29. Entirely open top, and I have to hire someone with long arms to keep the bottom 3" of the tank coraline free.
No question the taller you go the better looking the tank will be. But the practical side of maintaining it is a different story.
My recommendation is start with a tape measure and go from your arm pit to your thumb, and make sure the tank is less than that if you are going to maintain it entirely on your own.
Dave B
My reef tank is 96x33x29. Entirely open top, and I have to hire someone with long arms to keep the bottom 3" of the tank coraline free.
No question the taller you go the better looking the tank will be. But the practical side of maintaining it is a different story.
My recommendation is start with a tape measure and go from your arm pit to your thumb, and make sure the tank is less than that if you are going to maintain it entirely on your own.
Dave B
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
This.
My last tank was 32" wide. Current tank is 48" wide. The only reason I didn't go wider is because I couldn't reach the middle of the tank if I went wider than 48"
Current music selection: Dream Theater- A Change of Seasons
ReefKeeper64
Wanna be a reefkeeper
My last tank was 24" tall and I swore I'd never have another tank that tall again. My arms would get wet up to the arm pits sometimes. My new tank is still being built but will be 50x28x18h. It should be much easier to maintain and judging by all the shallow rimless threads on RC, others find that it is. I'm going with a deeper 28" tank too. The builder recommended it as it gives you more choices for coral placement and the deep dimension look throughout. The shallower depth also means you get more PAR throughout the entire tank. Hope that helps.
dave.m
Active member
A simple rule of thumb is to make the tank as wide as it is tall. True that the taller the tank the further the reach but there are long-handled tools for that. You must ensure you have access from both sides so nothing is too far out of reach.
Shallow tanks look great if the top is open. Otherwise they look ridiculously squat. Tall tanks are marvelous show pieces and allow much more choice in design but are more work. You have to decide what matters more to you in appearance. You are the one who has to live with your choice.
Dave.M
Shallow tanks look great if the top is open. Otherwise they look ridiculously squat. Tall tanks are marvelous show pieces and allow much more choice in design but are more work. You have to decide what matters more to you in appearance. You are the one who has to live with your choice.
Dave.M
Shallow tanks look great if the top is open. Otherwise they look ridiculously squat. Tall tanks are marvelous show pieces and allow much more choice in design but are more work. You have to decide what matters more to you in appearance. You are the one who has to live with your choice.
Dave.M[/QUOTE]
+1
Dave.M[/QUOTE]
+1
dca22anderson
New member
My vote goes for wide! I love the aquascaping possibilities with the width and the easy in tank maintainence with the lower depth!
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2162354
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2162354
Osteoclast
New member
The majority willi vote for wide over tall due to their limited experience. Most public aquaria are tall and rarely 24inches in height if the tank is large. I vote for tall if your show room can handle the tall tank. Maintance is less an issue than described. Many tools are available to pick up coral and reposition. Large tanks that are short in height are a waste time in my opinion. The tall tank is the show room tank compared to their short sisters. But it all depends on your space. Good Luck.
jt48
Member
I agree with most of above. Tall is impressive but maintenance is a pia. There are certain things that you need to do with your hands.
I have had a 240 gallon 72x24x32. I hated maintenance. Now i i have a open top rimless 344 gallon 96x36x23 and love it. Cleaning is so easy.
I have had a 240 gallon 72x24x32. I hated maintenance. Now i i have a open top rimless 344 gallon 96x36x23 and love it. Cleaning is so easy.
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Conspiculatus
New member
Width for aquascape for sure. Hight is nice for display but a pain to maintenance.
Epicreefer
New member
I think it depends a bit on what your doing with it. At 24" wide if it's an in wall tank with just one side visible then definitely tall. You can use reinforcements and glue to make a tall aquascape in a narrow tank. If your doing something like a wall divider or multiple side viewing the wider tank will definitely look more realistic than the tall tank and gives more room for big fish and wide corals.
King Jason
Reefer
My tank is 30 tall and it's not that big of a deal for me. Have long tongs and other misc tools. Arm gets wet if it's 24 or 30 if I have to stick my hand in for something.
I vote wide and tall...or was that not an option?
I vote wide and tall...or was that not an option?
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