What do you consider a 'large' reef tank?

Well, this is the 180+ gallons forum, so obviously someone at RC decided to draw a line in the sand there. I agree with others above that this should be a measure of the display tank only. It makes me laugh to see people come on here with smaller tanks and try to add the sump, the refugium, the automated top-off, the glass of water by their bedside, plus any other excuse they can think of just to be here on the large tank forum.

Let's face it, with a reef tank you need room for the corals to grow and the fish to swim. You're not going to get that with a 100 gallon display tank. So sorry. Move on.

Dave.M
 
Don't we just love our large tanks?

To me 200+ gallon display is large. I have a 220 and I got that because I felt a 180 wasn't big enough. Also I don't think they need to be 6ft I was going I do a 4x4x2 foot cube and that tank was large very large. I didn't because of the space I was putting it in.

My sump is just a 30g breeder and I still consider my tank large. I used up all my space for a sump with my display. I figure if rather have the water there instead of hidden. All I need is space for my skimmer and return.
 
10 gallons...... Their all large money pits lol...... But really in my eyes anything larger than a 300 gal dt is a big tank, now a days it's not uncommon to see 210,265 or even 300 for that fact, so I would say 300+
 
If your system had more than 300 gallons I would consider it large. You could have a 100g tank with a 400g sump.



In my eyes, its not about the glass, its about the water.
Hmmmm? Not sure I agree here. A system volume of 400g with a 100g display and 300g sump is a much different system than a 300g with a 100g sump. Lighting, water movement, heating cooling, etc. and the usual in tank issues would be much different between the two systems not to mention the costs of equipment, rock and livestock.
 
My honest opinion is if its a 120 or more then that's a large tank.

My reason is not many people can accommodate this size tank into there place of living. I have a 150 and its 5ft but its very large in my 1 bedroom apartment. Most people just can't do that
 
I see no reason not to concur with the RC guidance for this forum. My first 'big' tank was a 6x2x2 180, so that still is my personal cutoff for bigness.
 
Agreed, anything 6X2X2 or larger is bigger than 99.9% of aquariums

6x2x2 - thats a big tank
8x2+x2+ - wow that's awesome
8+x4x2+ - sweet baby jesus that's cool
10x4x6 - what are you going to charge for emission ?
 
Agreed, anything 6X2X2 or larger is bigger than 99.9% of aquariums

6x2x2 - thats a big tank
8x2+x2+ - wow that's awesome
8+x4x2+ - sweet baby jesus that's cool
10x4x6 - what are you going to charge for emission ?

So 72x19x29 wont work for you? It's actually a 163g tank, but adverted at 150.
6x2x2 comes out to 179, so theoretically can't post here. :)

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A 120-150 is not a big tank. When you can do a significant water change using a kitchen trash can you are not in the big tank category.

If your utility bill isn't larger than most peoples car payments, or the rent on someones 1 bedroom apartment then you are not in the big tank category.

If you can use teaspoons to measure additives for your tank, then you are not in the big tank category.

If you can take a full tank shot of your tank and see all the fish and corals clearly, then you are not in the big tank category.

If your UPS driver doesn't hate you because of the regular deliveries of heavy cases of salt, then you are not in the big tank category.

If all your equipment and fish tank supplies fit under your tank in the stand, then you are not in the big tank category.

If an entire curling team can't stand in front of your tank to look at it without rubbing shoulders, then you are not in the big tank category.

If you can algae wipe your tank without moving the ladder or step stool, then you are not in the big tank category.

If you take a quick glance at your tank and can see and count all your fish, then you are not in the big tank category.

If you can get two friends to help you move your tank with one trip in the pickup and only a 12 pack, then you are not in the big tank category.

If 9 out of 10 people that walk into your house, don't say "Wow, that's the biggest tank I have ever seen!" then you 'might' not be in the big tank category.

If you have only one door shelf of your freezer dedicated to tank foods, then you are not in the big tank category.

If you don't post about your tang purchases, because you're worried about the tang police, then you are not in the big tank category.

And most importantly, if you have to ask.... Then you definitely don't have a big tank :)




Dave B
 
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