Tank Size

[VictorE]

Greetings-

I’m just getting started on learning about the intricacies of building a reef tank. I’m looking at electrical loads required for the equipment, ability for the foundation to hold the load of my design, glass versus acrylic, etc. Clearly several more months of research & design before I commit funds to this endeavor.

The tank I’m envisioning will be custom built to be 48 x 37 with a bow front to fit in a unique space. My nagging question is this . . . how tall can this feasibly be built and still be maintainable? I’m aware that height brings lighting and aeration issues (low surface area to total volume). As the local dealer pointed out to me, my reach is slightly less than 30”. If I build a deeper tank, cleaning and being able to move elements around the tank gets very challenging if I exceed this 30” height dimension.

Are there tools or techniques any of you experienced aquarists are aware of that would feasibly allow someone to maintain a deep tank which an entire person can clearly not get all the way inside to move specimens or clean the lower part of such a tank?

I was considering going as high as 48". Is going past 30-36” ultimately unreasonable? Any other issues with regard to height I have not considered beyond maintainability, lighting, and water filtration issues?

 

[papagimp]

GOGGLES AND SNORKLE!

But seriously though...goggles and snorkels I've seen several with deep large tanks (300+gallons) that use this technique. And yes, there are tons of other pieces of equipment that can make it easier for you. Just take the extra time to set it up right and get the aquascaping right from the get go so you don't have to climb in there to fix it.

 

[drummereef]

VictorE,


<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>


the biggest problem with reef tanks is lighting. If you went over 36", you might have to run 1000watt halides. Not cheap.

 

[Henry Bowman]

my tank is 24" deep and I use a stepladder to clean and get my paws to the bottom of the tank.
Otherwise, I bruise my underarm doing routine maintenance .

Next step will be goggls and a snorkle.

 

[szwab]

welcome to RC.

glad to see you are not jumping in blindly as that will payoff in the long run. My tank is 50x 30x31. I'm 6'4" and can't reach the back corners without just about putting my face in the water. They do make tongs and magnetic glass cleaners which work well, but those corners are a pain. That said i still love the height of my tank. You will also need to consider you lighting depending on what corals you plan to keep it may limit your lighting options. With good circulation, aeration shouldn't be an issue. Going as deep of a tank as 48" will require thick glass, even thicker with a bow front which will lea to quite a bit of distortion. Also a lot of extra $$$ may not be worth it.

 

[VictorE]

Great responses!! And very quick I might add.

It looks like no one is saying that this will be impossible to do. Cleaning and lighting are the two issues to this deep tank that I'm seeing in the responses so far and that I've gotten from the local dealers.

First the depth/maintenance issue which seems to be the big one for me.

As I understand it, a 48"X37" tank made of acrylic will have two openings at the top about 12" x 25". Shoulder to shoulder I measure about 23". Is a snorkel & goggles even possible? I'm trying to imagine climbing up a ladder to get above the tank (48" + 36" cabinet) . . . that's 7 feet from which one would bend over and . . . drown?? :eek1: Or worse, scratch the tank, not to mention the potential mess one will make around the area or the additional stresses on the tank as I put some portion of my 200# on top of one side of the tank.

What do these tongs look like? Can one place sizable live rocks and corals easily at a bottom of a large tank using these? Are there other tools/techniques or is a 36" depth the realistic limit for maintainability given the 48"X37"dimensions?

 

[szwab]

you can actually use the type of grippers used in metro parks for picking up trash. They are pretty strong and durable but lack in the sense of agility. (may be hard to place things exactly positioned.)
Don't forget the thickness of acrylic factor for both viewing and cost.
I guess you could also rig a point above the tank to hang from in a harness to work on it :lol:

 

[VictorE]

I'm not aware of any issues regarding thickness vs. viewability. Could you elaborate?

 

[szwab]

with a bow front the curve is going to cause a bit of a distortion. the thicker the acrylic the more eveident the distortion.

 

[VictorE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10247281#post10247281 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by szwab
My tank is 50x 30x31. I'm 6'4" and can't reach the back corners without just about putting my face in the water.

Could you elaborate a little more on this as well? I'm trying to better picture your challenge as it will probably be magnified in a 36" or 48" depth.

As I understand so far, maintenance that has a direct bearing on tank size/design consists of water changes (height of tank), cleaning the protein skimmer and scraping the interior surfaces of the tank.

Are there implications of not being able to or taking the time to clean areas of the tank you cannot see or easily reach?

 

[szwab]

you have to figure if the tank is 37 inches wide depending on your height the length from the top front to the bottom back could be much greater than 50 inches! The more difficult it is to get to the areas the less likely you are to keep up with it. also sometimes corals, rocks etc get knocked over an end up in those back corners or you'll sprout some algea i those hard to reach places.. You'll need to be able to get to them. Also the back side of tanks usually is a lower flow area where detritus collects.