Aquarium depth/dimension question about lighting

Sean_South · 03/29/2011, 09:39 PM

Hello all, I have been doing a lot of reading "Patience is key in this hobby

" and am going to be purchasing my tank soon. My dilemma is that the largest space for a tank I have is 36 inches. I would like to get a relatively large tank 50 gallon plus. I know that is not a large tank, but for a length of 36 inches will I have problem getting light to the bottom of the tank if I was to buy a 70 tall? What about a 98 tall? I plan to keep a reef tank so how powerful of bulbs would I need to get? I would have to get some form of MH lighting I suppose? Any input is greatly appreciated. I will be starting a build tank hopefully within the next month or so, so stay tuned! Thanks again for any help.

bnumair · 03/29/2011, 09:46 PM

for that tall of a tank i am quite sure u will need 400watt bulbs... how many and how much light dont know lets see what some experts say.
by the way here are some options for u (not going that high)
source glasscages.com

175 Square 36 x 36 x 31 Tall
140 Square 36 x 36 x 25 Tall
98 tall118 Gal. 36 x 24 x 31 Tall $455
100 Square 30 x 30 x 25 Tall
118 36 x 18 x 35 tall
95 -3 Wide 36 x 24 x 25 Tall
70 Tall 36 x 18 x 25 Tall

just a few they have more as well... hope it helps

Brwestern · 03/29/2011, 09:54 PM

Marine depot sells a deep dimension 36x36x27 high... 150 gallons... Why would you go with such a tall tank like 70-90"?

seapug · 03/29/2011, 09:58 PM

I'd personally be very hesitant to own any tank I can't reach the bottom of that's not big enough for me to swim in. 24" is about the tallest I can tolerate. But if you're a tall person (6 ft.+) it might not be as much of a concern.

Sean_South · 03/29/2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwestern

Marine depot sells a deep dimension 36x36x27 high... 150 gallons... Why would you go with such a tall tank like 70-90"?

I only have room for 36 inches long, believe me id love to have 6 feet of wall space but the only wall I can place it will not fit a 48+ inch, also I am not a huge fan of cubes so something 36inches and tall is most likely what it is.

Brwestern · 03/29/2011, 10:03 PM

36x24x24? 90 gallons. And not a cube

Brwestern · 03/29/2011, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seapug

i'd personally be very hesitant to own any tank i can't reach the bottom of that's not big enough for me to swim in. 24" is about the tallest i can tolerate. But if you're a tall person (6 ft.+) it might not be as much of a concern.

+1

Sean_South · 03/29/2011, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwestern

36x24x24? 90 gallons. And not a cube

Do you have a picture/link for this tank? That might be able to work, ive been looking off of glasscages and have yet to see that dimension

Sean_South · 03/29/2011, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwestern

Marine depot sells a deep dimension 36x36x27 high... 150 gallons... Why would you go with such a tall tank like 70-90"?

I think you read my post wrong i meant a 70 Gal tall tank such as 36x18x25 not a tank that was 70-90" tall.

bnumair · 03/29/2011, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean_South

Do you have a picture/link for this tank? That might be able to work, ive been looking off of glasscages and have yet to see that dimension

glasscages has a 95gal in 36x24x25

03/29/2011, 09:39 PM	#1
Sean_South Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 130	Aquarium depth/dimension question about lighting Hello all, I have been doing a lot of reading "Patience is key in this hobby" and am going to be purchasing my tank soon. My dilemma is that the largest space for a tank I have is 36 inches. I would like to get a relatively large tank 50 gallon plus. I know that is not a large tank, but for a length of 36 inches will I have problem getting light to the bottom of the tank if I was to buy a 70 tall? What about a 98 tall? I plan to keep a reef tank so how powerful of bulbs would I need to get? I would have to get some form of MH lighting I suppose? Any input is greatly appreciated. I will be starting a build tank hopefully within the next month or so, so stay tuned! Thanks again for any help.

03/29/2011, 09:46 PM	#2
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	for that tall of a tank i am quite sure u will need 400watt bulbs... how many and how much light dont know lets see what some experts say. by the way here are some options for u (not going that high) source glasscages.com 175 Square 36 x 36 x 31 Tall 140 Square 36 x 36 x 25 Tall 98 tall118 Gal. 36 x 24 x 31 Tall $455 100 Square 30 x 30 x 25 Tall 118 36 x 18 x 35 tall 95 -3 Wide 36 x 24 x 25 Tall 70 Tall 36 x 18 x 25 Tall just a few they have more as well... hope it helps __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

03/29/2011, 09:58 PM	#4
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	I'd personally be very hesitant to own any tank I can't reach the bottom of that's not big enough for me to swim in. 24" is about the tallest I can tolerate. But if you're a tall person (6 ft.+) it might not be as much of a concern. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

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03/29/2011, 09:54 PM	#3
Brwestern Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Celebration, Fl Posts: 600	Marine depot sells a deep dimension 36x36x27 high... 150 gallons... Why would you go with such a tall tank like 70-90"?

03/29/2011, 10:03 PM	#6
Brwestern Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Celebration, Fl Posts: 600	36x24x24? 90 gallons. And not a cube