Malone750ml
New member
I just got a new tank. It is 36"H, 30"W,and 20"D. Will I be able to still do a reef tank? or is it too much work?
Tank Too Deep?
- Thread starter Malone750ml
- Start date
BadOleRoss
New member
I think the 20" is front to back. I think the 36"H is the depth (top to bottom). Mine is 30" and I just put 400w MHs on it. Just starting to add corals.
HippieSmell
Occupy Reef Central
It would make an awesome seahorse tank.
ahullsb
New member
Interesting dimensions. I think if you are not using a very deep sand bed, and aren't piling too much rock vertically then you should go with 400's. If you find that the 36" and 20" dimensions are odd enough that rock is piled midway or so in the tank, then I think 250's would be just fine.
L and L
New member
Re: Tank Too Deep?
I don't see how we can start recommending you what to do to keep a reef tank without knowing what kind of corals you want to grow.
So, when you say "reef" tank. What do you want? Softies, zoanthids, mushrooms, LPS, SPS. Combination of of some/all.
And as far as your tank you have... Sprung and Delbeek recommend and your tank height should not be greater than the front to back width.... due to the gas exchange on the surface. But, this could be recommended to just having this as your only tank. Adding a sump, refugium, skimmer... certainly adds to the gas exchange.
I think you are fine in having this tank, but you should keep this in mind when pushing the limit on a fish load. Bacteria, pods...etc also use oxygen.
Find some tall tank owners here and see what they are doing. There is no better info than 1st hand experience.... which I don't have when it comes to tall tanks. I'm only going by what the experts say.
Is your tank glass or acrylic? Are you going to add a DSB? 4-6"?
I don't see how we can start recommending you what to do to keep a reef tank without knowing what kind of corals you want to grow.
So, when you say "reef" tank. What do you want? Softies, zoanthids, mushrooms, LPS, SPS. Combination of of some/all.
And as far as your tank you have... Sprung and Delbeek recommend and your tank height should not be greater than the front to back width.... due to the gas exchange on the surface. But, this could be recommended to just having this as your only tank. Adding a sump, refugium, skimmer... certainly adds to the gas exchange.
I think you are fine in having this tank, but you should keep this in mind when pushing the limit on a fish load. Bacteria, pods...etc also use oxygen.
Find some tall tank owners here and see what they are doing. There is no better info than 1st hand experience.... which I don't have when it comes to tall tanks. I'm only going by what the experts say.
Is your tank glass or acrylic? Are you going to add a DSB? 4-6"?
jmait769
-CSHFLW
Here is a picture of my 47 in wall tank. It is 32†tall. My wife wanted a tank in this location and we decided to try saltwater fish. I really wanted a reef tank (After finding RC) and after setting this up I realized this was not the way to go for a reef. Not only did it require a large light but just the maintenance was hard. With my arm all the way in the tank I could barely touch the bottom and that was with a deep sand bed. Aquascaping was difficult but I have seen some tanks on RC with pillars which would have made it easier. Not trying to discourage you but that was my experience. I bought a larger tank and this tank is a lovely FW tank now!
Jay
Jay
HippieSmell
Occupy Reef Central
Yeah, working in it will be difficult. But, a single 400W halide pendant and a rock pillar would make a cool looking tank. Aeration won't be a problem with a decent skimmer and adequate return pump volume.
Really though, a 30" deep tank could be a pain to work in. I'm 6'2" and can barely reach the bottom of my 120 gallon, which is 25" high (I think).
Really though, a 30" deep tank could be a pain to work in. I'm 6'2" and can barely reach the bottom of my 120 gallon, which is 25" high (I think).
L and L
New member
I'm looking at getting a large tank in the future... and I measured how far I could reach my arm in the tank. I could scrape the glass at 24"(i'm 6'0"). But, that's using a razor. I saw somebody post about a plastic scraper at Home Depot and that could extend it a little bit. There are magnets to scrape the glass and I guess you could get tongs to grab stuff.
Space is almost always an issue to place our tanks... but, if you had the canopy or lights on a pulley system, you could raise up the canopy/lights so you could really lean into the tank.
Darn, I was about to post a picture w/ a reefer and a mask on diving into his tank... but, it's at work. He was up to his shoulder in the tank. hehe
Space is almost always an issue to place our tanks... but, if you had the canopy or lights on a pulley system, you could raise up the canopy/lights so you could really lean into the tank.
Darn, I was about to post a picture w/ a reefer and a mask on diving into his tank... but, it's at work. He was up to his shoulder in the tank. hehe
Malone750ml
New member
I have an 400MH (14K), 150gal Wet/dry, DSB 5". i just need to get a skimer
BradsOcean
Active member
20" isnt too deep for a reef.
HippieSmell
Occupy Reef Central
It's 36" deep (high).
Once you go over about 2 feet lighting becomes an issue. It takes much more intense lighting for a 3 foot tank as compared to a two. Plan on much stronger lights. I explain it all in detail in The Lighting Thread
