4 feet or 5 feet?

beetlejuice · 07/14/2009, 05:42 PM

I am being quoted on a 48x18x20 and a 60x18x20 rimless starfire with center overflow from Miracles. The difference in the two in price, including, shipping is $400. I have a nook on one wall that this tank's dimensions will fit a 4 foot with one foot of space on each side and a 5 foot will have 6 inches of space on each side. The 5 foot will make the nook in the wall look like it was built for the tank, which I like.

I plan to hang a 4 foot light fixture over the tank via a zeroedge light mount. I'm thinking the 6" extra space on each side of the tank that isn't covered by the light will look fine aesthetically.

My other consideration is that the 5 foot tank will open me up to larger fish, such as midsize angels, butterflies and tangs

I don't anticipate the 5 foot being much more to run after the initial costs. I figure if I'm spending the money on such a nice tank, why not spend a bit more and get a foot longer.

Thoughts, pro/cons, suggestions?

Fish'InMN · 07/14/2009, 05:49 PM

Bigger is Better! You won't have any trouble with the four foot fixture and it will 'hide' equipment nicely since they're not in directly light. And yes, more room for the nice fish to swim.

Go five feet!

Shane Hoffman · 07/14/2009, 06:46 PM

Go five unless the extra tank money will cost you to skimp on a skimmer....I have a 5 foot light ove my 6 foot tank and it covers fine....and its only6 inches off water...I would get more coverage if I raised it but I like it the way it is....

khaosinc · 07/14/2009, 07:05 PM

I love being a bad influence.... If ya got 6' total.... Use it all.

Macimage · 07/14/2009, 07:27 PM

Definitely go with the 5'. The 4' fixture will look fine over it and the 6" on each side will look better than the 1', as it will look more custom. Also, as you noted, it will be better for larger species of fish.

Have fun!
Joyce

vetdog · 07/14/2009, 07:30 PM

If I had the money I'd go with the 5' def, however, that is another foot to keep lit all the time, let alone another foot of light to buy and bulb to replace

adambirk · 07/14/2009, 07:48 PM

like you said you are willing to spend the money so you dont really need are opinions. get the big one and then a year from now you will be lookin to upgrade and you will be asking should i go 6 or 8 feet.:-) sounds like it will be a cool setup in the wall like that.

Indymann99 · 07/14/2009, 07:54 PM

I would have gone bigger but my HOUSE foundation limited me to 49 inches... go as big as you can.. I do REALLY like my depth (front to back) of 24"

t4zalews · 07/14/2009, 08:09 PM

Indymann,

What a CLEAN looking room. I love that setup, I will definitely have to go this route when setting up my in-wall later in life.

sedor · 07/14/2009, 08:26 PM

Beautiful Indymann,

My favorite is what looks to be a bottle of Corona

07/14/2009, 05:42 PM	#1
beetlejuice Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 443	4 feet or 5 feet? I am being quoted on a 48x18x20 and a 60x18x20 rimless starfire with center overflow from Miracles. The difference in the two in price, including, shipping is $400. I have a nook on one wall that this tank's dimensions will fit a 4 foot with one foot of space on each side and a 5 foot will have 6 inches of space on each side. The 5 foot will make the nook in the wall look like it was built for the tank, which I like. I plan to hang a 4 foot light fixture over the tank via a zeroedge light mount. I'm thinking the 6" extra space on each side of the tank that isn't covered by the light will look fine aesthetically. My other consideration is that the 5 foot tank will open me up to larger fish, such as midsize angels, butterflies and tangs I don't anticipate the 5 foot being much more to run after the initial costs. I figure if I'm spending the money on such a nice tank, why not spend a bit more and get a foot longer. Thoughts, pro/cons, suggestions?

07/14/2009, 06:46 PM	#3
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	Go five unless the extra tank money will cost you to skimp on a skimmer....I have a 5 foot light ove my 6 foot tank and it covers fine....and its only6 inches off water...I would get more coverage if I raised it but I like it the way it is.... __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

07/14/2009, 07:05 PM	#4
khaosinc The cyborg reefer Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NW Washington state Posts: 2,345	I love being a bad influence.... If ya got 6' total.... Use it all. __________________ Disclaimer: I have not yet figured out how to install a breathalizer on my computer. Current Tank Info: It's all torn down... someday I might rebuild.

07/14/2009, 07:30 PM	#6
vetdog Space cadet Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Huntingtown, MD Posts: 1,400	If I had the money I'd go with the 5' def, however, that is another foot to keep lit all the time, let alone another foot of light to buy and bulb to replace __________________ Any emotion, if it is sincere, is involuntary. ~Mark Twain Current Tank Info: 300 gallon DD reef tank, RedSea MaxE260

07/14/2009, 07:54 PM	#8
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	I would have gone bigger but my HOUSE foundation limited me to 49 inches... go as big as you can.. I do REALLY like my depth (front to back) of 24" __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

07/14/2009, 05:49 PM	#2
Fish'InMN Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: MN Posts: 398	Bigger is Better! You won't have any trouble with the four foot fixture and it will 'hide' equipment nicely since they're not in directly light. And yes, more room for the nice fish to swim. Go five feet!

07/14/2009, 07:27 PM	#5
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	Definitely go with the 5'. The 4' fixture will look fine over it and the 6" on each side will look better than the 1', as it will look more custom. Also, as you noted, it will be better for larger species of fish. Have fun! Joyce

07/14/2009, 07:48 PM	#7
adambirk Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: michigan Posts: 358	like you said you are willing to spend the money so you dont really need are opinions. get the big one and then a year from now you will be lookin to upgrade and you will be asking should i go 6 or 8 feet.:-) sounds like it will be a cool setup in the wall like that.

07/14/2009, 08:09 PM	#9
t4zalews 65g Ritteri Tank Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Royal Oak, MI Posts: 2,673	Indymann, What a CLEAN looking room. I love that setup, I will definitely have to go this route when setting up my in-wall later in life. __________________ - Taylor - 65g - Radion XR30 G3 Pro x2 - Deltec SCA 1351 - APEX - Tunze - Vortech

07/14/2009, 08:26 PM	#10
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	Beautiful Indymann, My favorite is what looks to be a bottle of Corona __________________ Ryan