Viewing height tank ???

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Ok got a question for everyone, espically those with built in tanks or who built their own stand.

I am getting ready to move my 7 foot long, 400 gallon tank into it's final place. I'm trying to figure out what will be the best viewing height to place the tank at so that if need be, I can build a new stand for it. Here's the curent setup.

The tank is 3 feet tall. On it's curent stand, the center of the tank sits about 4 feet above the ground with the very top of the tank at 5 1/2 feet up. With this set up, the center of the tank is at about eye level when sitting in the chairs in the new room.

Does this sound like a good viewing height or should I raise it so that the center of the tank is about eye level when standing? I know we always seem to complain about how low our tanks sit so here's my chance to make it right. The big difference I have over the normal tank is the fact that the tank it's self is 3 feet tall.

Any ideas? Any input from thoses with big built in tanks that would do it differently if given the chance? Thanks.

Tank can be seen in this thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...threadid=630143

 

[dgasmd]

This is what I did with mine and it could not have worked out better. I ahve a 30" tank. I stood very straight in front of a wall and marked where the topof my eyebrows were. I subtracted 30" to that, and the result is how high my stand is accounting for padding between tank and stand. When I look at the tank now, I have the best 30-45 degree down view anyone could ask for.

I think far too many people make their stands too tall or too low because they give it no thought whatsoever. Then, they end up with a tank they need to bend over to see or a tank so tall they are looking at the sides or bottom of the corals. I think it also makes a huge difference in what you can and cannot see in terms of plumbing.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Thanks, that's about where I am right now with the current stand. The top of the tank is at 5 1/2 feet and I am only 5' 9". It gives me the 30 degree down look as you sugest. When I'm seated, it's almost a mid level straight on view. maybe that's why the person I bought it from built it that way. .

I guess I have been questioning it because of the fact that there are only two corals in it right now and they sit on the bottom. Seems most of my fish also like to swim in the mid level of the tank, just above the rocks. When I get it moved and reaquascaped, the rocks will be higher and more of "islands" topped with monti caps that will grow out into large plates.

 

[ruiny]

I like to see the middle of the tank when seated.
I find that when standing at the tank close up I doesn't really matter the height because I can only see a small portion anyways.
But i like to sit back relax and enjoy the tank from sitting down, so I made the stand to match.

 

[sidewinder770]

I basically set mine up the same way as dgasmd and I think it's perfect. I also have a 30" tall tank. It's the perfect height to stand and look at as well as sit on the couch in front of it.

BTW- how's the pump workin for ya?

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Forgot which one I got from you, the hammerhead or the baraccuda?

If it was the hammerhead, it's working great. The baraccuda I haven't hooked up yet but am thinking of putting it on a second CL when I move the tank.

From replys here and on my club site, looks like I'm going to leave it as is. It's a perfect height for viewing when seated as I look right at mid level of the tank. Standing I'm just below the top of the tank. I can't see redoing the stand for just a few inches. Thanks for the help.

 

[sidewinder770]

You got the Hammerhead from me. Glad it's working well for ya. Need another one? or trade for a Barracuda?. I am probably going to be getting a Barracuda in place of another Hammerhead I have running my skimmer.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

I've got two running on the tank right now. One for my return and one on a CL that powers a swimming pool canister filter.

May be worth a trade though. Think 3 hammerheads would be too much on a 400 G?

I've got three Sedra 9000's w/ needle wheels running my skimmer.

 

[sidewinder770]

Normally I'd have to say you can't have too much flow- but in my case it's on my skimmer and it can't handle it!!! If it was on the tank that'd be a different story . Of course living in Ca with your electric prices would be a factor as well.

The Hammerhead you got from me was for my sump return which was also replaced by a Barracuda since my overflows couldn't handle the Hammerhead. Oh well- what can ya do right? That still leaves me with 5 pumps though so I think I'll be alright on flow too . Just PM me if you are interested- I think the pump I have is one serial # off from that one so it's exactly the same.

 

[zanclus]

I built my own stand and canopy. I made it 42" high ,adddng the height of my 220 it is perfect to view standing . Add the canpoy and it is 84" tall. and very impressive looking.:
I am 5'9" tall,

before water

after some livestock was added

 

[vishboy]

Beautiful tank.