Opinions on tank dimensions?

Leanan · 11/26/2013, 01:17 PM

Hey everyone, I'm new here and planning my first reef tank (to be set up sometime next year hopefully). I have years of experience with freshwater but am really excited to take the plunge and have my own reef.

I'd like to start a 90 - 100 gallon rimless tank and have it built by Miracles, but I'm not set on the dimensions. I prefer more shallow tanks, so I'm considering a 20 x 36 x 36 cube, or a 5 or 6 foot long, 20 inches tall, 18 inches deep tank (based on the two spots in the house it can be located). I know the longer one would probably be better for tangs, since they need the length to swim - any other things that I should consider before going with the cube or the long tank? I'm planning on a mixed reef, mostly LPS, minimalist style with 8 - 12 small, peaceful fish (and a tang, probably). I know it's probably going to come down to personal preference, but I was curious how the shape of the tank could affect things (the fish, water circulation, etc.). Any and all thoughts are appreciated! I just want to plan things to a T before I start my purchases. Thanks in advance!

thegrun · 11/26/2013, 01:23 PM

For a reef tank 18" front to back gives very little room for corals. 24" to me would be the minimum size I would go with. If you can't go 24" front to back in the location that allows you 5' to 6' wide, I would go with the 36" semi-cube and sacrifice the Tang option.

Leanan · 11/26/2013, 02:52 PM

Thank you for the quick reply! Is 18" too narrow because the live rock/corals would take up too much room and not leave space to clean the glass, and let the fish swim?

Arnel0387 · 11/26/2013, 03:11 PM

Get at least 24" width.

Get 48"Lx24"Wx20"H = 99.74 gallons

Arnel0387 · 11/26/2013, 03:15 PM

But if you have the funds and space, why not get a 72"x36"x20"!!! Lol

But whatever you decide, get between 24" - 36" width.

Leanan · 11/26/2013, 03:53 PM

So is 24" width pretty standard then? What's the reasoning for it? Just curious

Thanks!

Arnel0387 · 11/26/2013, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leanan

So is 24" width pretty standard then? What's the reasoning for it? Just curious

Thanks!

More room to aquascape! But I'd rather do 30 or 36 if I have the space

rfgonzo · 11/26/2013, 04:03 PM

24 is standard for most reef tanks but you can go 18 you are just limited to space. I have seen many great 18 tanks and for your first tank a 60x18x22 100gal would be fine but down the road you might wish you went with a 24 deep.

CliftonArbogast · 11/26/2013, 04:04 PM

Im moving from a 18 wide to a 36 wide . . .its also growing two feet so . . .

.

I have hard time aquasaping with it being so narrow. with the 36 ill probably keep playing withing and still never like it cause there will be too many options

Go wide go Long or Go home, the bigger the better, if the funds are availible youll never stop upgrading.

Leanan · 11/27/2013, 08:22 AM

That makes sense, thanks a bunch for the responses. I'm leaning towards the cube then, because we can't really go deeper on the long tank without it sticking out into the room too much. It hadn't even occured to me that the tank would be too narrow front to back, so I'm glad I asked! Thanks!

thegrun · 11/27/2013, 08:44 AM

Good luck, keep us posted with your progress.

fishNcars · 11/27/2013, 08:53 AM

I'm kinda like you, as far as the length/shallow tank goes, I wanted a 5 ft display. I wound up settling on a 120g because of the local deal I got. I wanted less volume and a more shallow but the cost of building the custom tank turned me off of the idea.

So if that's not a factor for you, just try decide what is you want to look at in you house every day and the livestock you'd like to keep.

Leanan · 11/27/2013, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

Good luck, keep us posted with your progress.

Definitely will do, thank you!

Leanan · 11/27/2013, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishNcars

I'm kinda like you, as far as the length/shallow tank goes, I wanted a 5 ft display. I wound up settling on a 120g because of the local deal I got. I wanted less volume and a more shallow but the cost of building the custom tank turned me off of the idea.

So if that's not a factor for you, just try decide what is you want to look at in you house every day and the livestock you'd like to keep.

Yeah I was planning on going custom regardless, it's just a matter of not feeling cramped when aquascaping. I'm probably going to sketch out the two ideas for the room they'll go in and decide which feels better in the space; though I am leaning towards the cube because it will leave my options open for the rockwork. We'll see!

fishNcars · 11/27/2013, 10:54 PM

I was looking at doing 60"x18"18" to compensate for that space, as I was toying with 16x"16" or 16"x18" or 18"x16".

I was also looking at doing a taller stand height as well.

ca1ore · 11/28/2013, 10:31 AM

I would go custom for a big tank, but in the 120 range I personally see no reason to pay the premium. Ok, I'm not a big fan of rimless, but a 120 from Marineland during one of their sales can probably be had for less than 700.

11/26/2013, 01:17 PM	#1
Leanan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 92	Opinions on tank dimensions? Hey everyone, I'm new here and planning my first reef tank (to be set up sometime next year hopefully). I have years of experience with freshwater but am really excited to take the plunge and have my own reef. I'd like to start a 90 - 100 gallon rimless tank and have it built by Miracles, but I'm not set on the dimensions. I prefer more shallow tanks, so I'm considering a 20 x 36 x 36 cube, or a 5 or 6 foot long, 20 inches tall, 18 inches deep tank (based on the two spots in the house it can be located). I know the longer one would probably be better for tangs, since they need the length to swim - any other things that I should consider before going with the cube or the long tank? I'm planning on a mixed reef, mostly LPS, minimalist style with 8 - 12 small, peaceful fish (and a tang, probably). I know it's probably going to come down to personal preference, but I was curious how the shape of the tank could affect things (the fish, water circulation, etc.). Any and all thoughts are appreciated! I just want to plan things to a T before I start my purchases. Thanks in advance!

11/26/2013, 03:11 PM	#4
Arnel0387 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 997	Get at least 24" width. Get 48"Lx24"Wx20"H = 99.74 gallons __________________ Minimalist, barebottom, SPS dominated dream tank coming soon! My reefing philosophy: SPS = Stability. Patience. Simplicity.

11/26/2013, 03:15 PM	#5
Arnel0387 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 997	But if you have the funds and space, why not get a 72"x36"x20"!!! Lol But whatever you decide, get between 24" - 36" width. __________________ Minimalist, barebottom, SPS dominated dream tank coming soon! My reefing philosophy: SPS = Stability. Patience. Simplicity.

11/27/2013, 08:53 AM	#12
fishNcars Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Omaha Nebraska Posts: 102	I'm kinda like you, as far as the length/shallow tank goes, I wanted a 5 ft display. I wound up settling on a 120g because of the local deal I got. I wanted less volume and a more shallow but the cost of building the custom tank turned me off of the idea. So if that's not a factor for you, just try decide what is you want to look at in you house every day and the livestock you'd like to keep. __________________ Big Dreams, Small Pockets

11/27/2013, 10:54 PM	#15
fishNcars Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Omaha Nebraska Posts: 102	I was looking at doing 60"x18"18" to compensate for that space, as I was toying with 16x"16" or 16"x18" or 18"x16". I was also looking at doing a taller stand height as well. __________________ Big Dreams, Small Pockets

11/26/2013, 01:23 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	For a reef tank 18" front to back gives very little room for corals. 24" to me would be the minimum size I would go with. If you can't go 24" front to back in the location that allows you 5' to 6' wide, I would go with the 36" semi-cube and sacrifice the Tang option.

11/26/2013, 02:52 PM	#3
Leanan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 92	Thank you for the quick reply! Is 18" too narrow because the live rock/corals would take up too much room and not leave space to clean the glass, and let the fish swim?

11/26/2013, 03:53 PM	#6
Leanan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 92	So is 24" width pretty standard then? What's the reasoning for it? Just curious Thanks!

11/26/2013, 04:03 PM	#8
rfgonzo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,280	24 is standard for most reef tanks but you can go 18 you are just limited to space. I have seen many great 18 tanks and for your first tank a 60x18x22 100gal would be fine but down the road you might wish you went with a 24 deep.

11/26/2013, 04:04 PM	#9
CliftonArbogast Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Houston TX (south side) Posts: 165	Im moving from a 18 wide to a 36 wide . . .its also growing two feet so . . . . I have hard time aquasaping with it being so narrow. with the 36 ill probably keep playing withing and still never like it cause there will be too many options Go wide go Long or Go home, the bigger the better, if the funds are availible youll never stop upgrading.

11/27/2013, 08:22 AM	#10
Leanan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 92	That makes sense, thanks a bunch for the responses. I'm leaning towards the cube then, because we can't really go deeper on the long tank without it sticking out into the room too much. It hadn't even occured to me that the tank would be too narrow front to back, so I'm glad I asked! Thanks!

11/27/2013, 08:44 AM	#11
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Good luck, keep us posted with your progress.

11/28/2013, 10:31 AM	#16
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I would go custom for a big tank, but in the 120 range I personally see no reason to pay the premium. Ok, I'm not a big fan of rimless, but a 120 from Marineland during one of their sales can probably be had for less than 700.