Tall tank advice

[d-man]

Already posted in Reef Discussion, but since this is a large tank id like to get your ideas and input as well.

Those with 30" tall tanks..pros and cons please
thinking of going with a 96x24x24 or 96x24x30
What are your experiences with the taller tank?

I plan on doing 4-5 rock islands with sps/lps/zoas
Im 6'1" and can reach alot.
also will be using 4-5 chinese LEDS(already have 4)

Thanks,
derek

 

[alton]

I would do the 96 x 30 x 24. I like to reach in my tank and grab stuff. 30" tall stops that from happening

 

[dave.m]

This question gets asked here all the time.

1). Make sure you have access from BOTH sides (unless you're an orangutan).

2). Make the tank AT LEAST as wide as it is tall so you have room to spread out your rockwork instead of trying to pile it up vertically.

Dave.M

 

[Osteoclast]

My tank is 48" tall. I am using tongs and marine boat tools for maintainence. It is less a big deal than people think. These tanks are far more dramatic when viewed in person than their shorter cousins. I am more than satisfied.

 

[C4SxM5]

I'm looking at used tank that's 90/24/45 tall. Is 45 out of the question?

 

[dave.m]

45" tall by only 24" wide would be a ridiculously narrow tank if you intend to put any rockwork or corals in it. If you plan to leave it empty and for fish only it would work.

Dave.M

 

[nuccadoc]

My 400 is 36in tall and Dave.m's suggestion on the proper width is very true. Mine is only 24in wide and I wish it were wider. Another thing that I have discovered is when you have to scrape the inside glass/acrylic at the bottom, the long scrapers are basically useless. I broke two of them before I discovered that the long handled ice-scrapers work really well.

 

[Ms Tanky Panky]

May I ask what "marine boat tools" are and how you use them? Thanks

 

[psusocr]

My tank is 72x31x31.

Pros:
Alot of open siwmming room for fish
alot of rock options

Cons:
31" with chinese leds your going to want to consider some 90 degree optics instead of just 120's to penetrate depth to sandbed, which can cause spotlight effect but improve par to the sandbed.
placement of corals may have to be higher
may have to hang lights alot lower thank you think
the obvious reaching the bottom( i hate it) and im 6'0 standing on a large bucket( not safe, my fault)
alot of wasted space IMO

All in all my next tank will not be over 24" high...LOVE the width though!!

 

[dave.m]

Just my way of thinking, but it seems to me a taller tank looks better the greater your viewing distance from the tank is. If you're in a small room and will be sitting practically on top of the tank anyways, then a short tank like 24" tall would probably be fine. It's when you're several feet back from the tank that the taller tanks really come into their own.

Dave.M

 

[Loserland]

My LFS strongly recommended going no taller than 24 inches. I taped the tank out on the wall and at 96 X 24 it just looks funny, so I'm ordering 30.75 here shortly. With 36 wide I'll never be able to reach the mid back of the tank, which will be against a wall, with out assistance anyway.

 

[txfatcat]

Yes the tall tanks can be a pain. Make sure you have plenty of space to get into the top when doing so. I made the mistake on one tank on the canopy and it was extremely hard to manage(265g tall).

On my current tank (210g Tall) it has a canopy that I have to lift off when doing "major" things which is very rare but still manageable.

My newest tank (330g 72x30x36t) will be fun as it will be a room divider and the canopy goes all the way to the ceiling. Just think it through and ask lots of questions just as you are doing. Carefully plan it out. Then have a contingency for the common things that may arise.

I must say that having the tall "show" tanks are a little more work but so much more of a viewing arena. I believe they look so much better than a shorter tanks (24") but that's just my opinion.

 

[Osteoclast]

Many marine boat suppliers make extension poles with connectable parts like squeegees and scrapers which make glass and substrate maintainence easy in the tall tank. I use tools from Shurhold although, Home Depot and others have equipment that can easily reach the corners of your tank. Magnetic cleaners are indispensable also. My tank is an inwall glass tank in my library and is dramatic as the room is large. My work room lies behind the tank and has plenty of space. The tank is 3 feet off the floor so I use a sturdy ladder (Front Gate) for maintainence. My lights are attached to a platform which is suspended above the tank via a chandelier lift which allows me to move them vertically if needed. Tall tanks in a large room are like public aquaria if done right. You just need to think through all the potential problems before building, read, and critically review everything as you go.

 

[Ms Tanky Panky]

Thanks Osteoclast, mine is 48" deep as well however I'm 5' 2". I have the mag for sure and have a powerful tool to reach down and grab things off the bottom but it is mostly metal so it's for no other choice times. Is there one of these type tools but in plastic that you know of. I was wondering if there might be something I could use from a resturant supply type store, like maybe monster tongs or something. Another problem with the normal tools is mine has no corners, Thanks

 

[steelerspgh]

Thanks Osteoclast, mine is 48" deep as well however I'm 5' 2". I have the mag for sure and have a powerful tool to reach down and grab things off the bottom but it is mostly metal so it's for no other choice times. Is there one of these type tools but in plastic that you know of. I was wondering if there might be something I could use from a resturant supply type store, like maybe monster tongs or something. Another problem with the normal tools is mine has no corners, Thanks

Grabbers

 

[Osteoclast]

Ms Tanky Panky, Kent makes a scraper that is about 3 feet in length with plastic blades. It is fine for small chores and very light weight. It is small though and requires a fair amount of time to clean large areas but again is light and quick. The aluminum tools at Home Depot can be fitted with sponges and blades for cleaning glass. They are not very heavy. I use a Shurhold squeegee for glass cleaning and it is aluminum and fairly light weight although you might need to grip it with both hands. They make a nice plastic scraper also for glass and coraline maintainence. Most of the grippers available are aluminum with plastic. I have a few of each of these and end up using them all to some degree. Good luck.

 

[Ms Tanky Panky]

Those sound good and I will certainly go look but the other problem I have is that my tank is round so unless I can find one that will swivel it's still going to be a problem. I was able to take my magnet apart and use the original pad to puff up the center and then glue a new one on top so that it follows the curve and not scrape the sides. What I really need above all else is a way without diving in is to find a tool that I can reach down into the tank to place things and pick them up. The metal tool I have is strong enough to place rocks as it is one of those pick up trash without bending over tools with plastic cups on the ends but it has rusted really fast. If I continue to use this only when I have to will it cause any problems. Was also wondering if I could maybe paint the metal parts or even try using that black rubber looking stuff that you can spray on to keep the metal from contaminating the water or will those just become another problem?

 

[psusocr]

Kent makes very long marine scrapers and plastic togs for aquariums( 36"), they also make a "swivel pad" attachement for the scrapers so you cal clean your glass..if i didnt have them it would be rough...

 

[Ms Tanky Panky]

Not sure how I missed seeing those but am sure grateful you didn't : ) thank you much