What is considered a shallow reef!!!

[Scuba Steve]

I'm wanting a 72"x36"x20" tall tank. Is this considered a shallow reef??
I'm setting up two Rubbermaid 150's and a 48"x36"x8" tall Frag tank! Any thought or ideas would be great. Need sum help!

 

[Logzor]

I'm wanting a 72"x36"x20" tall tank. Is this considered a shallow reef??
I'm setting up two Rubbermaid 150's and a 48"x36"x8" tall Frag tank! Any thought or ideas would be great. Need sum help!

I think anything under 20" for an sps tank is unreasonable. Much lower and aquascaping can become difficult and then you run into the issue of corals needing room to grow. A shallow reef for sofies or lps makes sense because most of the corals don't grow vertically.

If you like the shallow reef idea then I think what you're proposing is a great dimension. It will seem very shallow at the size but you will still have enough room to grow your corals.

 

[glennr1978]

I think anything under 20" for an sps tank is unreasonable. Much lower and aquascaping can become difficult and then you run into the issue of corals needing room to grow. A shallow reef for sofies or lps makes sense because most of the corals don't grow vertically.

If you like the shallow reef idea then I think what you're proposing is a great dimension. It will seem very shallow at the size but you will still have enough room to grow your corals.

Meh, it's all relative. My tank is a standard 40 breeder (16" tall) and I have decent room for corals to grow. I just can't keep as many corals as you guys with bigger tanks can.

Sorry about the crappy pic, I just snapped it real quick with my phone.

 

[Scuba Steve]

Thank for the info logzor. Nice tank buy the way glennr1978. If any one else can post sum pics of there shallow reefs for please!

 

[glennr1978]

Nice tank buy the way glennr1978.

Thanks! It's definitely a work in progress. The tank is only about 1 month old.

 

[MammothReefer]

To me a shallow reef has nothing to do with your tank height, but the type of species you keep in your system. I've got an 18" tank, but it also has a fair bit of deeper water stuff (acans ect) so I don't consider it a "shallow reef"

 

[glennr1978]

To me a shallow reef has nothing to do with your tank height, but the type of species you keep in your system. I've got an 18" tank, but it also has a fair bit of deeper water stuff (acans ect) so I don't consider it a "shallow reef"

Good point.

 

[skairik]

I'm wanting a 72"x36"x20" tall tank.

Exactly my tank's dimensions. 20"T isn't limiting in the least. This pic is from last year. I have since began removal of the DSB due to phasing over to a Zeovit based system Dec. 2010. Not the best pic but hopefully you get an idea.

Empty:

And now:

 

[Scuba Steve]

Wow really nice tank!!

I just think shallow reefs look so awesome. Instead of a DD tank. Just easier to get in to and maintain.

Other people show me your shallow reef tanks pics please.
Thanks to everybody posting.

 

[xtm]

On a long/large tank, I would say that 20" or below is shallow. A cube tank that is 20" all around is not a shallow tank.

edit: here's my old 67g shallow reef. yuck! my current tank has never gotten this dirty

 

[Scuba Steve]

Nice tank. I love it! it looks awesome. Thanks for all the pics and info guys I really appreciate it. Keep sending the pics and info!!!

 

[steely185]

I take it as the name says "shallow" allowing great lookdown views. They do present challenges with flow and aquacaping. This was my 48"x18"x10" shallow reef. I took it down last month and I'm selling it now. Great tanks though.

 

[n0rk]

I personally think shallow is more to do with a tank's proportions than anything. Personally, anything that is a factor of 2.5 or more less than the length (that is to say, 1' of height for every 2.5' of length) appears as being shallow. If you do it right... it's a great way to make a small tank look bigger than it is

 

[Scuba Steve]

Steely185 nice tank love it. Looks great! Good work!

Nork makes sence!

Thanks to everybody post and info. Keep it coming learning a lot Thanks.

 

[Tony B (UK)]

I have a 5ft x 30inch wide x 20 inch high, here's a couple of recent pictures:

 

[tropic]

HI Tony b,

Where is the overflow box?

 

[GSMguy]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1397288

 

[rmalone]

I would agree that shallow reef is really an issue of proportion, long and wide tanks are quite shallow at 20". A cube at 20" all directions is not shallow. I don't consider whether the coral actually grows in shallow water or deep to be any factor at all in calling a tank shallow. You could have a shallow reef tank that has nothing but deep water acros or acans, I just consider the proportions of the tank when I think of the term "shallow reef".

On a side note, to me a shallow reef should be easily viewed from the top down. The tanks shown are shallow reefs for sure, and nice ones at that.

 

[krshlln300]

I know this is a little delayed but as far as aquascaping goes shallow reefs are in my opinion perfect for things like chalices, tabling acros and encrusting species that grow horizontally more than vertically. they also give a new dimension to corals like zoas and to things like clams due to the look down factor.