used 344g shallow tank or new 360g deeper tank????

JRChristiansen · 02/19/2012, 12:56 PM

Ok so im thinking about ordering me a new custom 360g acrylic tank 8' long x 24'' tall x 36'' wide with a external overflow but thay want $2700 for the tank and delivery in my basemant and take my 150g tank away. Or I know a guy selling a used 344g tank 8' long x 18'' tall x 48'' wide with two center overflows for around $1000 with a 135g sump and home made stand. It has just a few scratches on out side of tank. What do u all think i would in joy more? I want a full out reef with lots of sps and lps and lots of tangs and all the lights diy LEDs.

JRChristiansen · 02/19/2012, 01:04 PM

ok here is the used shallow tank. what do u all think? any one have a 18" shallow reef?

JRChristiansen · 02/19/2012, 01:05 PM

scarolina01 · 02/19/2012, 01:17 PM

Honestly, I think you could make a very nice reef tank out of the used 344g tank. Use the $1700 you'll save and invest that in your equiptment (skimmer, pumps, etc.).

JRChristiansen · 02/19/2012, 01:24 PM

thanks for the reply thats why im going back and forth on witch one i want. do u think 18'' tall that will be enuf room for say 5 good size tangs and lots of small fish?

Reef264 · 02/19/2012, 01:29 PM

The used tank is what I would do, Because your Gunna Scratch the New Acrylic Tank anyways.

Not to Mention...Killer PAR Levels!

gmate · 02/19/2012, 01:37 PM

More than enough room for what you want. You'd be able to get away with 12" deep for tangs, possibly even 8" depending on how big the sand bed is. Go for the used shallow. it's cheaper and the design layout looks good.

Mixed_Reef · 02/19/2012, 01:51 PM

I have a 20" tank and I feel like that's too shallow. I would deff get the deeper 24" tank but for a way better price! The overflows look weird in the middle and will block a lot of viewing unless ur gonna put the tank in the middle of the room and still the shallow tank is gonna make it hard for viewing. Or make it rimless

gmate · 02/19/2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mixed_Reef

I have a 20" tank and I feel like that's too shallow. I would deff get the deeper 24" tank but for a way better price! The overflows look weird in the middle and will block a lot of viewing unless ur gonna put the tank in the middle of the room and still the shallow tank is gonna make it hard for viewing. Or make it rimless

Can't go rimless with a tank of this size. It needs center braces.

JRChristiansen · 02/19/2012, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mixed_Reef

I have a 20" tank and I feel like that's too shallow. I would deff get the deeper 24" tank but for a way better price! The overflows look weird in the middle and will block a lot of viewing unless ur gonna put the tank in the middle of the room and still the shallow tank is gonna make it hard for viewing. Or make it rimless

on the 24'' tank there are no other tank builders in my area. they want $2200 for the tank and and about $200 for the custom external over flow and about $200 to take it to my house and bring it down in my basment and add tax and then they are giving me $100 for my old 150g tank. = about $2700 is that really high?

tkeracer619 · 02/19/2012, 02:17 PM

I have a 8x3x2H 360 and a 6x4x2H 360.

It really depends on how you plan on setting up the tank, how good the seams are, and how tall the stand is. You will also need to figure in polishing time

.

Flow will be a challenge with the shorter tank. Anything that can move water those distances will disrupt the sand so you would need a coarse sand. I would figure out what you want for flow and how you would aquascape each tank before you make your decision. I use a gyre flow setup with 2x mp40w vortechs on my 6x4x2. It does a pretty good job moving the whole tank but I am not looking for sps numbers. It will be a fish only then a BTA species tank.

Lighting is roughly the same. Skimmer is the same. Tangs are distance swimmers so the shorter tank is better for them. SPS grows upwards so you will need to aquascape and plan ahead for vertical growth if you want long term success. 18" does not leave a lot of room for error.

4' front to back takes up a lot of floorspace but is awesome to look at. At 4' any color in the water is noticeable. Consider using ozone in a reactor.

JRChristiansen · 02/19/2012, 02:17 PM

on the spot · 02/19/2012, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarolina01

Honestly, I think you could make a very nice reef tank out of the used 344g tank. Use the $1700 you'll save and spend that in your equiptment (skimmer, pumps, etc.).

FTFY

I'd buy the used one.

Mixed_Reef · 02/19/2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRChristiansen

on the 24'' tank there are no other tank builders in my area. they want $2200 for the tank and and about $200 for the custom external over flow and about $200 to take it to my house and bring it down in my basment and add tax and then they are giving me $100 for my old 150g tank. = about $2700 is that really high?

I would just hold on to ur money and look around some more. The price is good for the used tank but just not a very good layout IMO. Like the previous poster said flow is going to be a challenge with a tank that wide and that shallow and especially a good point about corals if ur gonna grow sps that's gonna b a problem in a tank that shallow unless it's gonna be a FOWLR. And it may not be so much for the tank but when u start adding up all the equipment needed for a tank that large u might want to think abou it. Unless money isnt a very big issue for u...

Dragon moray ki · 02/19/2012, 03:34 PM

I would get the used I like the depth nice tank.

JRChristiansen · 02/19/2012, 06:17 PM

well i just went and looked at the used tank. i like it the sides are 3/4'' and bottom 5/8'' and top 1/2'' and i like the tank but think im going to take one overflow out. i will be picking it up saturday morning because the tank is still full and running!

TheFishTeen · 02/19/2012, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRChristiansen

well i just went and looked at the used tank. i like it the sides are 3/4'' and bottom 5/8'' and top 1/2'' and i like the tank but think im going to take one overflow out. i will be picking it up saturday morning because the tank is still full and running!

Nice! If it were me I would build a tall stand so the tank is eye level.

BuckeyeTodd · 02/19/2012, 06:30 PM

I'd do bare bottom so sand isn't an issue on the shallow, and you could then do two mp60's for flow

JRChristiansen · 02/19/2012, 06:42 PM

yeah stand eye level for sure. viewable from 3 sides the 2 8 foot sides and one 4 foot side or all 4 sides? i have alredy have 2 mp40s. and 2 6 foot diy LED lights 200 3 w LEDs total. i am for sure going to have some sort of sand bed.

anbosu · 02/19/2012, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckeyeTodd

I'd do bare bottom so sand isn't an issue on the shallow, and you could then do two mp60's for flow

I agree with this. You would have the opportunity to create a really unique tank with the used tank.

JRChristiansen · 02/19/2012, 11:01 PM

what do u all think about cutting one of the overflows out?

reefergeorge · 02/20/2012, 12:21 AM

That beldts tank has sure made its rounds.

It is a well made tank, but a little short imo.

JRChristiansen · 02/20/2012, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefergeorge

That beldts tank has sure made its rounds.

It is a well made tank, but a little short imo.

do you know about how old the tank is?

geaux xman · 02/21/2012, 12:46 AM

Sounds like you've made up your mind, but personally, I would go with the new tank for the 24" height.

That 18" tall tank, you will lose 1.5" for the waterline, maybe 5/8-3/4" for the bottom acrylic panel, then another 1" for the sand. You're down to a water column of about 15", which isnt much.

You have close to the same amount of water volume, but from the front, the shallow tank will look no where near as impressive IMO.

This is going to be the center piece of your home. Go with what you like and will look best..

Shallow tanks looks good too, but I think they're more for 4ft long tanks. Check out the Large Reef section for ideas..

cbm369 · 02/21/2012, 06:45 AM

Used one.

Sell your 150g on Craigslist or Ebay. Heck, if I were closer I would give you more than $100 for it.

02/19/2012, 12:56 PM	#1
JRChristiansen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: O'Fallon, missouri Posts: 325	used 344g shallow tank or new 360g deeper tank???? Ok so im thinking about ordering me a new custom 360g acrylic tank 8' long x 24'' tall x 36'' wide with a external overflow but thay want $2700 for the tank and delivery in my basemant and take my 150g tank away. Or I know a guy selling a used 344g tank 8' long x 18'' tall x 48'' wide with two center overflows for around $1000 with a 135g sump and home made stand. It has just a few scratches on out side of tank. What do u all think i would in joy more? I want a full out reef with lots of sps and lps and lots of tangs and all the lights diy LEDs.

02/19/2012, 01:17 PM	#4
scarolina01 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Walton Hills, Ohio Posts: 254	Honestly, I think you could make a very nice reef tank out of the used 344g tank. Use the $1700 you'll save and invest that in your equiptment (skimmer, pumps, etc.). __________________ Starting a new 125g Reef Tank

02/19/2012, 01:29 PM	#6
Reef264 Where's The Reef? Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Southaven, Ms Posts: 2,098	The used tank is what I would do, Because your Gunna Scratch the New Acrylic Tank anyways. Not to Mention...Killer PAR Levels! __________________ I'd rather Die on my feet, than Live on my Knees. Current Tank Info: 150g SPS Reef, 2x250w 14k Pheonix Metal Halides w/T-5 Actinics, 2 Tunze 6095's, Tunze 7096 controller, Ozone, Precision Marine Skimmer, Reef Octopus Bio-Churn Bio Pellet Reactor, GFO & Carbon Reactor, Ozone Reactor, ATO, Reef Keeper. Last edited by Reef264; 02/19/2012 at 01:46 PM.

02/19/2012, 01:37 PM	#7
gmate MASC Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 2,267	More than enough room for what you want. You'd be able to get away with 12" deep for tangs, possibly even 8" depending on how big the sand bed is. Go for the used shallow. it's cheaper and the design layout looks good. __________________ https://www.marinecolorado.org/ 180, 90 and 50 gallon reef ready systems. Fragging & trading since 2010. Current Tank Info: 180g, 90g & 50g frag tank

02/19/2012, 02:17 PM	#11
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I have a 8x3x2H 360 and a 6x4x2H 360. It really depends on how you plan on setting up the tank, how good the seams are, and how tall the stand is. You will also need to figure in polishing time . Flow will be a challenge with the shorter tank. Anything that can move water those distances will disrupt the sand so you would need a coarse sand. I would figure out what you want for flow and how you would aquascape each tank before you make your decision. I use a gyre flow setup with 2x mp40w vortechs on my 6x4x2. It does a pretty good job moving the whole tank but I am not looking for sps numbers. It will be a fish only then a BTA species tank. Lighting is roughly the same. Skimmer is the same. Tangs are distance swimmers so the shorter tank is better for them. SPS grows upwards so you will need to aquascape and plan ahead for vertical growth if you want long term success. 18" does not leave a lot of room for error. 4' front to back takes up a lot of floorspace but is awesome to look at. At 4' any color in the water is noticeable. Consider using ozone in a reactor. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/19/2012, 01:04 PM	#2
JRChristiansen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: O'Fallon, missouri Posts: 325	ok here is the used shallow tank. what do u all think? any one have a 18" shallow reef?

02/19/2012, 01:05 PM	#3
JRChristiansen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: O'Fallon, missouri Posts: 325

02/19/2012, 01:24 PM	#5
JRChristiansen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: O'Fallon, missouri Posts: 325	thanks for the reply thats why im going back and forth on witch one i want. do u think 18'' tall that will be enuf room for say 5 good size tangs and lots of small fish?

02/19/2012, 01:51 PM	#8
Mixed_Reef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 88	I have a 20" tank and I feel like that's too shallow. I would deff get the deeper 24" tank but for a way better price! The overflows look weird in the middle and will block a lot of viewing unless ur gonna put the tank in the middle of the room and still the shallow tank is gonna make it hard for viewing. Or make it rimless

02/19/2012, 03:34 PM	#15
Dragon moray ki Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,236	I would get the used I like the depth nice tank. __________________ "He who changes the water also picks the fish." MrTuskfish David aka sandy (ask the loungers.) Current Tank Info: 600 gallon Green moray tank connected to 400 gallon shark pond. 90 gallon mixed reef

02/19/2012, 06:17 PM	#16
JRChristiansen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: O'Fallon, missouri Posts: 325	well i just went and looked at the used tank. i like it the sides are 3/4'' and bottom 5/8'' and top 1/2'' and i like the tank but think im going to take one overflow out. i will be picking it up saturday morning because the tank is still full and running!

02/19/2012, 06:30 PM	#18
BuckeyeTodd Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,054	I'd do bare bottom so sand isn't an issue on the shallow, and you could then do two mp60's for flow __________________ Current Tank 150 Cube 36x36x27 2mp40w es, four bulb Tek and six bulb Tek, SRO 3000

02/19/2012, 06:42 PM	#19
JRChristiansen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: O'Fallon, missouri Posts: 325	yeah stand eye level for sure. viewable from 3 sides the 2 8 foot sides and one 4 foot side or all 4 sides? i have alredy have 2 mp40s. and 2 6 foot diy LED lights 200 3 w LEDs total. i am for sure going to have some sort of sand bed.

02/19/2012, 11:01 PM	#21
JRChristiansen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: O'Fallon, missouri Posts: 325	what do u all think about cutting one of the overflows out?

02/20/2012, 12:21 AM	#22
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	That beldts tank has sure made its rounds. It is a well made tank, but a little short imo. __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

02/21/2012, 12:46 AM	#24
geaux xman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 3,279	Sounds like you've made up your mind, but personally, I would go with the new tank for the 24" height. That 18" tall tank, you will lose 1.5" for the waterline, maybe 5/8-3/4" for the bottom acrylic panel, then another 1" for the sand. You're down to a water column of about 15", which isnt much. You have close to the same amount of water volume, but from the front, the shallow tank will look no where near as impressive IMO. This is going to be the center piece of your home. Go with what you like and will look best.. Shallow tanks looks good too, but I think they're more for 4ft long tanks. Check out the Large Reef section for ideas.. __________________ - Miracles 180g 60x30x23" rimless FOWLR - Youtube video: Miracles 180g March 2013 Last edited by geaux xman; 02/21/2012 at 01:00 AM.

02/21/2012, 06:45 AM	#25
cbm369 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 242	Used one. Sell your 150g on Craigslist or Ebay. Heck, if I were closer I would give you more than $100 for it. __________________ 125g Fowlr - Basement 55g sump/fuge