Which tank?

[CaribbeanDream]

Ok for now I have a simple question.

Which of these would you choose and why?

225g 60x36x24 Acrylic

180g AGA 72x24x24

240g Glasscages 96x24x24

Thanks!

 

[Reef Mongoose]

If the 36" dimension on the 225g is the width I would go with that tank. You are really going to love that extra width when you are aquascaping your reef.

 

[marduc]

Depends on what your budget is and what you are planning on lighting. A 60" tank might be a little awkward to squeeze in fluorescent bulbs if you are planning on actinic supplementation, If it is 36" wide then that is a different story you can run the bulbs width wise, and that extra width would open a whole wide array of aquascaping options that you wont get with a 24" wide tank.

Other than that it is a matter of personal preference, the space you have to work with and the budget you are on for lighting concerns ect (225 and the 240 would require more lighting than the 180, thus be more expensive, especially the 96" length).

 

[CaribbeanDream]

Yes it is 36" wide.

Now it gets a little trickier. haha

I already have the 225g, and 3x 250w mh for it. Just wondering if people like the added width or length better...

 

[mcrist]

You’re love the extra width and depending on what fish you plan on keeping I would choose the 36 inch wide model. But if you want to keep tangs than the 6 footer is the only way to go. Don’t open up the can of worms with the acrylic versus glass question.

 

[geekreef_05]

Easy peasey lemon squeezy.

the 240 is best choice by far. its dimensions are perfect. 96 long is amazing. and 24x24 is perfect. It'll visually look way cooler than your other choices due to the amazing length, i think.

The 240 gallon tank is so long that you could have one side with super high flow and the other side with low flow. Same with lighting. that way you could have a very mixed reef with SPS on one side and softies on the other.

Also you have to consider that your reef is gonna weight about 2 tones or more and the long tank really distributes that weight much better than the other ones.

Finally Id say that if your keeping tangs or a school or both, this tank is the winner due to its long swimming room. It'll be super cool to watch fish dart from one side to another.

 

[mcrist]

I didn't notice one was 96 inches so I would have to agree with geekreef_05 and pick that one.

 

[~SIRENA~]

36"wide - definitely. Aquascaping heaven!

 

[widmer]

I'd go with the 240 also. Here are my reasons:

1. Sure on the 225, 3 feet back is great, but I'm not sure how well you will be able to take advantage of those 3 feet, being that the aquarium is only 24 inches tall. Plus it's acrylic anyways, easy to scuff up.

2. The 8 foot long tank would be really impressive based on the fact that in the 8 foot span, you could have enormous variation in your aquascaping. IE you could incorporate the fruit stand thing, the cove thing, the rock wall thing and the piller thing all in one aquarium no problem. And 2 feet back? Thats plenty.

3. If you are going to jump on the T5 bandwagon, you could just do two 48 inch fixtures, the most cost effective T5 length. This would also make aquarium maintenance easier, because you could just take off one of the fixtures PRN.

 

[scbadiver]

Very easy, I made the decision already. Here it is. 240g 96x24x24 Glasscages with 3 250w MH bulbs, I do have VHO actinics too though.

I have no complaints with the tank or the lighting. You'll love the impact of the length.

 

[widmer]

Looks great. Personally, I'm more of a fan of the corner drilled overflows though, rather than center/off center etc.

 

[scbadiver]

I agree with you but I had to go center. The tank is in the middle of the room as a divider. center oveflow also has pipe for all the lighting wires. Thanks widmer.

 

[CaribbeanDream]

Man this is not getting any easier. This 225 has an external overflow and is drilled for a closed loop. I guess I am leaning toward sticking with it, just because I already have it and since its close between the 225 and 240 that may be the deciding factor. But man 8 feet is appealing.

 

[CaribbeanDream]

I will also mention that this tank is a peninsula style but I am having a hard time finding a place to use it like that.

 

[mcrist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11914231#post11914231 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CaribbeanDream
I will also mention that this tank is a peninsula style but I am having a hard time finding a place to use it like that.

That changes everything...with a penisula display you need the additional width. I have a penisula tank too and I doubt you can successful aquascape with only 24 inches.

 

[scbadiver]

By the way, not to make it more difficult but Glasscages will drill for closed loop too. They did 9 holes in mine and it didn't cost very much more. Just tell him where and what size. Good luck with your decision whatever it may be.

 

[CaribbeanDream]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11914404#post11914404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcrist
That changes everything...with a penisula display you need the additional width. I have a penisula tank too and I doubt you can successful aquascape with only 24 inches.

If I did the 240 it would be standard.

 

[mcrist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11914431#post11914431 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CaribbeanDream
If I did the 240 it would be standard.

Oh...

 

[CaribbeanDream]

Ok I decided!!

Just ordered a 240 96x24x25 from Glasscages. Went with the starphire front panel and black silicone. I pick it up the 16th of March.

 

[Twz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11911900#post11911900 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CaribbeanDream
Yes it is 36" wide.

Now it gets a little trickier. haha

I already have the 225g, and 3x 250w mh for it. Just wondering if people like the added width or length better...

Width,
I like the depth of the aquascape ....