Upgrading tank, what size would you go with?

[Crusty Old Shellback]

OK all, as the title says, I'm looking at upgrading my 400G tank and am looking for some input from you guys as to what size to go with. Please let me know what you think, good or bad.

Here's the basics. My current tank is 7 feet long, 2 1/2 feet wide and 3 feet deep. It is acrylic and at least 10 years old. I bought it used so the deminsions weren't my choice. One of the things I've disliked about the tank over the years besides it being acrylic is the 3 foot height. It is a pain to clean and I have to empty about half of the tank to clean it or get to stuff on the bottom without going snorkling. So I got the OK from the Boss to get a new tank.

Here's where I'm at. I've been getting a few quotes for a new tank in glass and it seems that a 9 foot long tank cost twice what a 8 foot long tank does. So I'm thinking 8 feet will be my limit on lenght. As for height, I measured my arms and they are 2 feet long. So my thinking was to not go over 2 feet in height. Am I right on this assumption? Or could I get away with say a 2 1/2 foot height?

As for depth, I can go up to 4 feet. The tank sits against an outside wall and I have windows behind it so I can easily acces the tank from the back as well as the front. So is 4 feet good? Or is it too deep? Would 3 feet do better? Or something in between?

The tank is sitting in a sunroom that I built on the back of the house. It is on a concreet pad so there should be no issues with weight. I know I will have to build a new stand for the tank. I will either cut down the 400G tank and use that for my sump or use the 90 G sump I currently have.

Here is a older picture of the tank that shows teh complete wall. The wood cabinet on the right is where my old 6 foot tall skimmer used to be. The plan is to use most of that area for the new tank. I did all of the woodwork so changing that is not an issue either.

The end of the tank and you can see the windows that go all the way down the back wall behind the tank.

Thanks for any and all input.

 

[SPotter]

wow...upgrading from a 400g tank...NICE!!! My tank is 3ft wide and 28" high and if I were to do it again I wouldnt go any higher than that. I feel like I need to wear a safety harness or something when I am trying to clean the tank or place corals. If you have the room and can access from both sides I would go with the 4ft wide tank.

As far as the sump goes...I would cut down the 400g and use that because I dont think a 90g would be big enough for something that big. If you use the 400g you might be able make a section that is dedicated to just frags.

 

[MattyO]

I agree with SPotter on the depth, I would love a 4ft tank as it really help aquascaping. Just make sure you have some long grabbers and other tools to clean/place corals.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Steve, you think it's bad at 28", try 36".

If you look at the second picture, you can see one of three windows that are behind the tank. They run the full 12 foot lenght of the wall and the glass panes are easily reomvable so I basically have 2 4' X 4' access holes behind the tank. I had plywood inserts in them in the past but have since taken them out and put the windows back in. It adds a lot of "free" sunlight to the tank in the evening.

 

[SPotter]

I couldnt imagine that!!!! I think if you did 84x48x24 you'd have an amazing set up. you could raise the height of the stand a little for a better viewing height.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

I have a 24"H tank on my build. I got lucky and bought it. It is 8'L X 4'W x 2'H. I presently have a 30" tall tank and i cant swim to the height on the new one is better IMO.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

I have a 24"H tank on my build. I got lucky and bought it. It is 8'L X 4'W x 2'H. I presently have a 30" tall tank and i cant swim to the height on the new one is better IMO.

Do you have any pic's of the new tank? How do you like the 4' width?

 

[dave.m]

I would rethink your concerns on the height of the new tank. If you are going to re-encase the new tank as you have the existing one I think you'll find a shallow tank just looks squat and wrong. Shallow tanks only really look good if you are going to leave the top open. Then the shortness of it is negated by the enhanced view from the top.

I look after a 36" tall tank with access from only one side, so I can understand the concerns about reach, but your situation is easily resolved since you are planning to build anew. You need access from both sides and then you can easily to conquer the height issues. If you locate your new tank 1.5-2 feet in from the windows you can then have access to both sides, and then the concern over reach is much reduced.

Let's face it, when you stand back (or sit) a few feet away from the tank, a taller window is much more dramatic, realistic and more full of life than a shallow little washtub of a thing. Here's to tall tanks.

Dave.M

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

I would rethink your concerns on the height of the new tank. If you are going to re-encase the new tank as you have the existing one I think you'll find a shallow tank just looks squat and wrong. Shallow tanks only really look good if you are going to leave the top open. Then the shortness of it is negated by the enhanced view from the top.

I look after a 36" tall tank with access from only one side, so I can understand the concerns about reach, but your situation is easily resolved since you are planning to build anew. You need access from both sides and then you can easily to conquer the height issues. If you locate your new tank 1.5-2 feet in from the windows you can then have access to both sides, and then the concern over reach is much reduced.

Let's face it, when you stand back (or sit) a few feet away from the tank, a taller window is much more dramatic, realistic and more full of life than a shallow little washtub of a thing. Here's to tall tanks.

Dave.M

There went my confidence :blown::blown::blown:

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Do you have any pic's of the new tank? How do you like the 4' width?

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2066256&page=12
Post # 284

 

[dave.m]

There went my confidence

I sure hope not. Let's face it, a lot of this stuff is personal taste and preference. There is no one right answer that will suit everyone. My point was simply that height shouldn't put you off if you have access to both sides. However, if you prefer a shorter tank then by all means, please do what is going to make you happiest.

Dave.M

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Dave,
I do agree that a taller tank looks awsome and it allows the fish, big ones in my case, to swim "over" the reef.

But the biggest downfall is trying to clean it. I mean I have to drain out 200G of water, and put my upper body down into the tank just to reach the sand bed and to clean the lower area of the viewing panes. At the end of the day, my legs, back, chest and stomach are hurting along with my chest and stomach being cut up some from standing up on a ladder and leaning into the tank.

If something drops to the bottom, it's a pain trying to get it out without draining any water.

As for access to the back of the tank, that is not a issue, I just remove the windows and climb up on the window sill and can reach into the tank.

What about a 30" height instead of 36"? I still have some height but less of an issue with reach.

 

[geaux xman]

I would rethink your concerns on the height of the new tank. If you are going to re-encase the new tank as you have the existing one I think you'll find a shallow tank just looks squat and wrong. Shallow tanks only really look good if you are going to leave the top open. Then the shortness of it is negated by the enhanced view from the top.


Let's face it, when you stand back (or sit) a few feet away from the tank, a taller window is much more dramatic, realistic and more full of life than a shallow little washtub of a thing. Here's to tall tanks.

Dave.M

I completely agree with Dave's viewpoint.

You could try cutting a piece of board and either covering the top or bottom of the current tank by 12" to show a 24" display. Then at night, turning the tank lights on to see what you think of the shorter look.

 

[geaux xman]

I think 30" is a good happy medium if you find 36" too cumbersome.

If you want more idea of big tanks, try this UK forum. A LOT of huge tanks.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=491

 

[dave.m]

But the biggest downfall is trying to clean it.

I'm hoping you're kidding, here. You can get long tubing for cleaning the sand. There are plenty powerful magnetic cleaners for cleaning the glass (albeit pricey). There are 36" long tongs for placing/picking things up from the bottom. I never get very wet cleaning the tank, though placing things is a chore since I only have access from one side and can't even see what I'm doing.

All the issues you mention have solutions except standing on windowsills (!?!?). :facepalm:

Dave.M

 

[danfeig]

I just went with a 48" (in wall) high tank. I understand your concerns about cleaning, coral placement, etc. I have been in the tank twice now - I won't be adding corals for another few weeks.

At some point in time, I will be investing in a wet suit.

AGE built the tank for me with steel supports on top and on the bottom of the tank. I can lay on top of some plywood on top of the tank and work/clean. I am having a fold down steel step scaffolding made for easier access.

You'd be surprised with the tools made for deep tanks/ponds. There are 4' tongs and pruning tools available. 36" algae scrapers. I have a 54" gravel vac that I was able to put together. The list goes on and on...

It will be certainly more challenging having a deep tank, but I believe it will be worth it!

Good luck on whatever you decide!

 

[KafudaFish]

8' x 4' x 30" sounds like a great tank. It would allow for options such as a stag forest or some really large leathers etc. and your fish would swim over the structures vs. only around them.

Go make a pvc tank and play with the dimensions too.

 

[kinggeorge818]

I built my tank recently out of glass and I opted for a 10'x3'x30"tall and I love the dimensions thus far but I have access from both sides of the tank! I love having space for the Coral reef to grow in the center of the tank while having enough room above the reef and on both sides for even large fish to take laps! Personally I love tall tanks but at 30" I believe you enjoy a little bit of both!
I will a couple of pics and a video to help you envision what I am trying to explain.

 

[kinggeorge818]

I built my tank recently out of glass and I opted for a 10'x3'x30"tall and I love the dimensions thus far but I have access from both sides of the tank! I love having space for the Coral reef to grow in the center of the tank while having enough room above the reef and on both sides for even large fish to take laps! Personally I love tall tanks but at 30" I believe you enjoy a little bit of both!
I will a couple of pics and a video to help you envision what I am trying to explain.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Thanks for the inputs.

As for the "solutions" to my issues. yes they make tongs to pick stuff up off the bottom. But you can't pick up a 10 lb rock with them. And you ever try and place a coral using them? I've had better luck using BBQ tongs and that still was a challenge.

As for cleaning, I've got the biggest mag float they make. It barley hangs on and when you start doing a little scrubbing with it, it comes apart and floats to the top. Also the acrylic has to be scraped of alage which is a chore in itselve. Granted a glass pane will be easier to scrape but it's still a pain.

Yes there is always a soultion to the problem, but most are not easily remidied. 30" would just make things soo much easier. And I'm not getting any younger.

I'll try the idea of blocking off the lower part of the tank and see what happens. Oh and I had a 400G 4 foot tall tank at one point. I sold it before I ever set it up as I already knew what a pain 3 foot tall 400g tank was like to clean. remember, I have short arms, only 2 feet long.

Dave, standing on the window sill is probably the easiest part of it all. I do have a big ladder next to it for more foot room.