So, in looking at upgrading and building a new SpS system Im trying to figure out a good height. My tank right now is a standard AGA 75g tank, its around 18" tall. Id really like to go taller, say around 30"-36". But I want to be able to have "high light" corals low/mid in the tank so light penetration is a concern. In your past experience, what is the perfect height?
The perfect tank height
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mudskipper1
Trust Me I'm an Engineer
From what i have seen, something around 24inches tall like a 120 is an ideal height IMO because you can use T5, or lower wattage MH than in a 30-36 in. which you would pretty much need 400 watt mh to have enough light for what you want to keep. This keep heat and electricity down. Also, 24in is enough that the tank does not look short and squat, IMO a 120 has very nice dimensions for a reef tank. JMO
Haha, well that would be about 36" then id guess. Unfortunately light doesn't penetrate the water as easily as the long arm of the fish tank gods.
On a realistic note though. I was looking at a bunch of display tanks and seem to like the look of a 30" high tank. I dont mind running 400w halides, though Id prefer to run 250's cause of power consumption/heat.
Muddskipper, 24 is idea for penetration but its just too short. I want some rock structure in there, and Id be afraid there would be no room for anything branching to grow.
On a realistic note though. I was looking at a bunch of display tanks and seem to like the look of a 30" high tank. I dont mind running 400w halides, though Id prefer to run 250's cause of power consumption/heat.
Muddskipper, 24 is idea for penetration but its just too short. I want some rock structure in there, and Id be afraid there would be no room for anything branching to grow.
mskohl
Active member
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-10/totm/index.php
This tank belongs to a friend of mine. It's 30" tall and is lit soley by t-5's. It has much less heat and energy consuption than the 6 MH he used to run.
This tank belongs to a friend of mine. It's 30" tall and is lit soley by t-5's. It has much less heat and energy consuption than the 6 MH he used to run.
I plan on going bare bottom this go round. Tired of sand restricting the direction of my water flow.
Ricks, your tank is absolutely amazing I love how you have placed your colonies spaced out enough to allow them all the room they need to grow. Thats a dream tank right there. Do you have a link to a build thread, or anywhere you have more info about your tank?
Ricks, your tank is absolutely amazing I love how you have placed your colonies spaced out enough to allow them all the room they need to grow. Thats a dream tank right there. Do you have a link to a build thread, or anywhere you have more info about your tank?
My tank is 31" tall and I have purple haze monti growing on the BB floor, so I don't think light penetration should be your deciding factor. While everyone that sees my tank LOVES the height, as the one that has to work on it, I have to say it's a bit of a PITA, especially when a small frag falls to the floor 
RichardPryor
In Memoriam
Leafer
New member
I'm still pondering sizes for my next and hopefully last setup. So, this thread drew my attention….
I think that’s really a good point about reaching to the bottom. I’ll be utilizing a one inch sandbed more for the look than the function. 24 inch depth seems about perfect. Also it sounds like 250w MH would be a good fit for this depth.
A 150g would be about perfect â€"œ 60l x 24w x 24h. Is this an odd length for lighting, worthy of avoiding? In consider also are 120g and 180g which only vary by the length, 48 and 72 inches respectively. Two 250s would fit nicely on the 120g and three for the 180g. Would I be correct in thinking the 60 inch, 150g would be best with 3 250s?
I think that’s really a good point about reaching to the bottom. I’ll be utilizing a one inch sandbed more for the look than the function. 24 inch depth seems about perfect. Also it sounds like 250w MH would be a good fit for this depth.
A 150g would be about perfect â€"œ 60l x 24w x 24h. Is this an odd length for lighting, worthy of avoiding? In consider also are 120g and 180g which only vary by the length, 48 and 72 inches respectively. Two 250s would fit nicely on the 120g and three for the 180g. Would I be correct in thinking the 60 inch, 150g would be best with 3 250s?
seapug
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11592348#post11592348 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by geo
IMO the perfect height is the measurement from the tip of your index finger up to your arm pit
Took the words right out of my mouth. Never underestimate what a PITA (pain in the armpit) it can be to work in a tank that's too tall for you to reach the bottom.
RichardPryor - Yes, many of us have our tanks built to our own specifications. I am planning on a 72"wide, 48"deep, and 30-36" tall. (thats 448-538 gallons depending on height)
Also... "Filthy 29g with a perc clown, yellow tang, and anenome" With 3 weeks of exp in the hobby? Please do some serious reading on the forums.
Ricks, thanks for the reply. Im gonna go check out your build thread. We live in the same town, when it comes time to set up I may have some questions or try to ninja a up close and personal peek of the hardware end of your system.
Leafer - As you get more and more addicted to the hobby you will realize there is no such thing as "my last tank" unless you own seaworld. Every time you upgrade, you want to do it again haha. Also, if your really set on sticking around 150g, have you considered going with a cube style tank instead? I find that the more front to back room you have the better. I think that 3, 250w halides with some good reflectors would be just fine for a 60x24x23, but Im not the expert.
I agree with the armpit thing to an extent. I've seen a few cases of people with like 20,000g private tanks that they can snorkel in. I think i would be ok with that.
Also... "Filthy 29g with a perc clown, yellow tang, and anenome" With 3 weeks of exp in the hobby? Please do some serious reading on the forums.
Ricks, thanks for the reply. Im gonna go check out your build thread. We live in the same town, when it comes time to set up I may have some questions or try to ninja a up close and personal peek of the hardware end of your system.
Leafer - As you get more and more addicted to the hobby you will realize there is no such thing as "my last tank" unless you own seaworld. Every time you upgrade, you want to do it again haha. Also, if your really set on sticking around 150g, have you considered going with a cube style tank instead? I find that the more front to back room you have the better. I think that 3, 250w halides with some good reflectors would be just fine for a 60x24x23, but Im not the expert.
I agree with the armpit thing to an extent. I've seen a few cases of people with like 20,000g private tanks that they can snorkel in. I think i would be ok with that.
Altpers0na
ARS Caesar
that armpit rule is a diagonal, not a vertical...
lesleybird
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11592348#post11592348 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by geo
IMO the perfect height is the measurement from the tip of your index finger up to your arm pit
I agree, I had a tank custom made to 26 inches deep as this is the distance that I can just touch bottom of the tank with the tips of my fingers with my entire arm in the tank. I wanted a 6 foot by 2 foot tank and the 180 did not look deep enough at 24 inches. The 26 inch deep tank holds about 15 gallons more but is not as deep as the standard 220 gallons where I can not touch bottom with the 29 inches. The custom tank was from Deep Sea Aquatics in Dallas and did not cost any more than the standard 180 or 220 as the stand and the top rim are the standard 6 foot by 2 foot. I can't stand not being to touch bottom as I like to be able to move stuff around down there myself. Being that I am a 5 ft. 4 inch woman my reach is short. I think if I were a guy with longer arms I would get a 29 inch deep. Lesley
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