Future Build - Size

dtum · 08/14/2012, 04:04 PM

I'm taking next step upgrading from JBJ 28 gallon, this will be a larger tank, something that will have custom lighting and will get around some limitations of my existing tank.

Originally I was thinking of 48 long x 24 deep x 22 high, I even made a cardboard cut out of it and put it in the room - it certainly proved to be too large for the room, front to back - so I had to cut it to 20 deep.

I'm about to make an order, but the dealer is recommending I go a bit shorter - only 20 high, otherwise I will have to go with thicker glass and a lot more money.

So I am looking at 48 x 20 x 20 as my tank... Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

cmantis · 08/14/2012, 04:30 PM

Are you having this custom made? Sounds like you want either a 75 or 90 gallon.

dtum · 08/14/2012, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmantis

Are you having this custom made? Sounds like you want either a 75 or 90 gallon.

I'm going starfire, so it will be custom made, I presume.

SaltyReefDog · 08/14/2012, 04:47 PM

My 75 gallon Aqueon (AKA All-Glass) aquarium is 48"L x 18"W x 21"H. Where you looking for a custom rimless tank or just a tank to fit your dimensions?

I see you are from Canada so I am not sure about availability there but they usually run $100-$200 US for one here.

Unless you want a custom rimless or odd size tank it is usually cheaper to buy a pre-made one unless you get into something really big or fancy.

Hope you get the tank up and running soon!

SaltyReefDog · 08/14/2012, 04:50 PM

Oops posted a minute to late lol.

I remember seeing a post somewhere on here awhile back where if you went to your local LFS they could custom order a standard tank with low iron glass in whatever panels you wanted. I am not sure who the manufacture was though of the tanks.

96slowbra · 08/14/2012, 05:13 PM

i would keep the width at 24" and then do their suggested 20" depth. that'll give you more room for a good scape. i just had a 4x2x2 built and everyone comments on how nice the width is.

golfish · 08/14/2012, 06:05 PM

IMO, the best 48" long tank is 24" tall and 30".....It was the perfict tank for me..

dtum · 08/14/2012, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfish

IMO, the best 48" long tank is 24" tall and 30".....It was the perfict tank for me..

Yes, that would be perfect. Unfortunately the tank started to really over power the room even at 24'' wide. If it were 30'' it would probably just take it over (don't get me wrong, I'm totally fine with that..

dtum · 08/14/2012, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96slowbra

i would keep the width at 24" and then do their suggested 20" depth. that'll give you more room for a good scape. i just had a 4x2x2 built and everyone comments on how nice the width is.

Thanks, I'm being torn between 20 and 24 for the width.. I really like the possibility of a better aquascape but am worried that it would be sticking out like a sore thumb.

What about height, is 20 enough?

dtum · 08/14/2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaltyReefDog

Oops posted a minute to late lol.

I remember seeing a post somewhere on here awhile back where if you went to your local LFS they could custom order a standard tank with low iron glass in whatever panels you wanted. I am not sure who the manufacture was though of the tanks.

No worries, I plan to go low iron glass, unfortunately there's not too many options for this here in Canada.

ruiny · 08/14/2012, 06:41 PM

I think that the fit into the room is very important, both the size of the tank and stand, the style and colour of the stand and how/where you will view the tank from.

There are many tanks on this site that, though are great tanks just don't do justice to the room they are in.

I went with a 30x30 footprint instead of a 36x36 because it just fit better. I made the cutout like you did and as much as I wanted the bigger tank it just didn't fit the room.

If you are willing to pay for a custom tank, then get the size that fits the room best and
spring for the starfire, it is worth it.

dtum · 08/14/2012, 07:17 PM

I forgot to mention that the tank stand is going to be 36'' (suggested by the dealer).

96slowbra · 08/14/2012, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtum

Thanks, I'm being torn between 20 and 24 for the width.. I really like the possibility of a better aquascape but am worried that it would be sticking out like a sore thumb.

What about height, is 20 enough?

i really like the look of shallow reefs

dtum · 08/15/2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96slowbra

i really like the look of shallow reefs

Are you referring to this build as shallow?

rovster · 08/15/2012, 11:20 AM

Those are nice dimensions, I almost went with similar dimensions, and then I got greedy and went wider. I went with custom because I really liked the stock 75 gal, but really wanted the 24" width. I ended up going slightly larger with 52 x 26 x 19 tall. I happen to like the shallower tanks because it gives more of an illusion of depth. If you want to do swim around islands, I think you'll want the 24" front to back. Can you squeeze a 22" front to back? I know what you mean about taking up the room. I was going to do 30" depth, but it would have jutted out too much. As it is, I'm pushing it with the 26".

Here is a pic of the cardboard in the room....

I suggest you also take pics of where you want to put the tank. A 120 with canopy would have been to massive for this space, so I'm going with a rimless with lights suspended from the ceiling for a more "airy" look and it will keep the massiveness at bay. Obviously, the nano will be removed, LOL! Good luck with your decision. But really try and get as wide as you are comfortable with.

dtum · 08/15/2012, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rovster

I almost went with similar dimensions, and then I got greedy and went wider.

Wow, thank you for the detailed reply. Here's the picture of my tank so far:

As it stands right now it is at 48 x 20 x 22 tall. This does seem to work better in the room, but I'm still not convinced. Everyone is happy with it being only 20 inches front-to-back, but I have a lot of concerns here, don't wont to regret the limitations in aquascaping. Islands are definitely on my list.

dtum · 08/15/2012, 05:44 PM

I've put together a diagram of what my room looks like and the location for it.

dtum · 08/15/2012, 05:56 PM

And here are a few pictures of the living room:

Hopefully this will give this discussion another perspective.

96slowbra · 08/15/2012, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtum

Are you referring to this build as shallow?

Not technically. Usually shallow is 12"-16" ish...

dtum · 08/15/2012, 07:23 PM

I've thought about it some more and ended up with the following diagram. Looks like I can get the dimensions I've always wanted: 48 x 24 x 20.

Now that should be just perfect.

rovster · 08/15/2012, 07:33 PM

What size is the cardboard? If you design the stand flush with the tank, and keep the lines clean, it won't appear as massive. Check out Elos stands. Also, with an open top and suspended lights, it also keeps things looking minimal.

I think a lot of it is going to also depend on what your plans are as far as aquascaping, FO vs reef, etc. also, are you planning a canopy?

I'm partial to shallow rimless, so I'd chop 2-4" off the top, and add at least another 2" in width. Then it would look like my tank, LOL!

dtum · 08/15/2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rovster

What size is the cardboard? If you design the stand flush with the tank, and keep the lines clean, it won't appear as massive. Check out Elos stands. Also, with an open top and suspended lights, it also keeps things looking minimal.

I think a lot of it is going to also depend on what your plans are as far as aquascaping, FO vs reef, etc. also, are you planning a canopy?

I'm partial to shallow rimless, so I'd chop 2-4" off the top, and add at least another 2" in width. Then it would look like my tank, LOL!

The cardboard in the picture is at 48 x 20 x 22, it is already flush to the wall.
I don't plan to have a canopy, rather have two Radions hanging from the ceiling.
As for aquascaping I am planning to go with a fair bit of open space and some islands.

08/14/2012, 04:04 PM	#1
dtum Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 861	Future Build - Size I'm taking next step upgrading from JBJ 28 gallon, this will be a larger tank, something that will have custom lighting and will get around some limitations of my existing tank. Originally I was thinking of 48 long x 24 deep x 22 high, I even made a cardboard cut out of it and put it in the room - it certainly proved to be too large for the room, front to back - so I had to cut it to 20 deep. I'm about to make an order, but the dealer is recommending I go a bit shorter - only 20 high, otherwise I will have to go with thicker glass and a lot more money. So I am looking at 48 x 20 x 20 as my tank... Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

08/14/2012, 04:47 PM	#4
SaltyReefDog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Milky Way Galaxy Posts: 177	My 75 gallon Aqueon (AKA All-Glass) aquarium is 48"L x 18"W x 21"H. Where you looking for a custom rimless tank or just a tank to fit your dimensions? I see you are from Canada so I am not sure about availability there but they usually run $100-$200 US for one here. Unless you want a custom rimless or odd size tank it is usually cheaper to buy a pre-made one unless you get into something really big or fancy. Hope you get the tank up and running soon! __________________ 10g Nano Softy & LPS reef & 75g Softy & LPS reef. "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?" - John Wooden -

08/14/2012, 04:50 PM	#5
SaltyReefDog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Milky Way Galaxy Posts: 177	Oops posted a minute to late lol. I remember seeing a post somewhere on here awhile back where if you went to your local LFS they could custom order a standard tank with low iron glass in whatever panels you wanted. I am not sure who the manufacture was though of the tanks. __________________ 10g Nano Softy & LPS reef & 75g Softy & LPS reef. "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?" - John Wooden -

08/14/2012, 06:05 PM	#7
golfish Team RC Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Alta Loma, Ca Posts: 6,776	IMO, the best 48" long tank is 24" tall and 30".....It was the perfict tank for me.. __________________ grow em, frag em, trade em... Current Tank Info: TOTM curse

08/14/2012, 06:41 PM	#11
ruiny Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 536	I think that the fit into the room is very important, both the size of the tank and stand, the style and colour of the stand and how/where you will view the tank from. There are many tanks on this site that, though are great tanks just don't do justice to the room they are in. I went with a 30x30 footprint instead of a 36x36 because it just fit better. I made the cutout like you did and as much as I wanted the bigger tank it just didn't fit the room. If you are willing to pay for a custom tank, then get the size that fits the room best and spring for the starfire, it is worth it. __________________ Go Sens Go Current Tank Info: 93 mixed reef

08/14/2012, 04:30 PM	#2
cmantis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: NYC / Philly Posts: 227	Are you having this custom made? Sounds like you want either a 75 or 90 gallon.

08/14/2012, 05:13 PM	#6
96slowbra Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: utah Posts: 218	i would keep the width at 24" and then do their suggested 20" depth. that'll give you more room for a good scape. i just had a 4x2x2 built and everyone comments on how nice the width is.

08/14/2012, 07:17 PM	#12
dtum Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 861	I forgot to mention that the tank stand is going to be 36'' (suggested by the dealer).

08/15/2012, 11:20 AM	#15
rovster Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miramar, FL Posts: 7,518	Those are nice dimensions, I almost went with similar dimensions, and then I got greedy and went wider. I went with custom because I really liked the stock 75 gal, but really wanted the 24" width. I ended up going slightly larger with 52 x 26 x 19 tall. I happen to like the shallower tanks because it gives more of an illusion of depth. If you want to do swim around islands, I think you'll want the 24" front to back. Can you squeeze a 22" front to back? I know what you mean about taking up the room. I was going to do 30" depth, but it would have jutted out too much. As it is, I'm pushing it with the 26". Here is a pic of the cardboard in the room.... I suggest you also take pics of where you want to put the tank. A 120 with canopy would have been to massive for this space, so I'm going with a rimless with lights suspended from the ceiling for a more "airy" look and it will keep the massiveness at bay. Obviously, the nano will be removed, LOL! Good luck with your decision. But really try and get as wide as you are comfortable with.

08/15/2012, 05:44 PM	#17
dtum Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 861	I've put together a diagram of what my room looks like and the location for it.

08/15/2012, 05:56 PM	#18
dtum Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 861	And here are a few pictures of the living room: Hopefully this will give this discussion another perspective.

08/15/2012, 07:23 PM	#20
dtum Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 861	I've thought about it some more and ended up with the following diagram. Looks like I can get the dimensions I've always wanted: 48 x 24 x 20. Now that should be just perfect.

08/15/2012, 07:33 PM	#21
rovster Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miramar, FL Posts: 7,518	What size is the cardboard? If you design the stand flush with the tank, and keep the lines clean, it won't appear as massive. Check out Elos stands. Also, with an open top and suspended lights, it also keeps things looking minimal. I think a lot of it is going to also depend on what your plans are as far as aquascaping, FO vs reef, etc. also, are you planning a canopy? I'm partial to shallow rimless, so I'd chop 2-4" off the top, and add at least another 2" in width. Then it would look like my tank, LOL!