Hi tank Vs. Reg.

JMorris271 · 06/19/2014, 03:43 PM

I Don't know this to be fact but some say fish are usually swimming around he lower half of the tank, If that be true, what would be the advantage of a tall tank except for an occasional stray swimmer? I am trying to decide between the two and would appreciate any input. Thanks.

wm jim · 06/19/2014, 03:51 PM

Have a 200 gallon 4 foot tall with one lion plan to get several more. He is all over from top to bottom

SwampyBill · 06/19/2014, 05:06 PM

Some fish are more top dwellers. But my main reason for liking tall tanks is more room to add corals if aquascape is built up higher.

Scubaken · 06/19/2014, 05:06 PM

My display is 36 inches deep, I have fish throughout the entire Colum.

Whistl3r · 06/19/2014, 08:16 PM

You can select fish specifically the occupy different parts of the water column. The other main advantage (at least for me) is the ability to build nice rock structures that allow me to place corals anywhere from right under a light to all the way down on the sandbed depending on their lighting needs.

RocketEngineer · 06/19/2014, 08:52 PM

There are several DISADVANTAGES to a tall tank:
1) They have a small surface area to volume ratio which means they don't exchange O2 and CO2 with the air very efficiently. This can be a big problem in a well stocked tank
2) They are hard to work in because you are likely going to need tools to reach the bottom. Personally, I don't want to need SCUBA gear to work in my tank and my arms are only so long.
3) If it is a reef, getting light penetration to the bottom becomes an issue.

Long, wide tanks are best with most folks agreeing that 24" to 30" deep is the best balance of rock work height to lighting requirements.

davocean · 06/19/2014, 09:11 PM

Agree w/ rockets comments, plus the fact getting good light down deeper can be challenging.
I like 24" deep myself.

callsign4223 · 06/19/2014, 09:24 PM

I got a 30" and I wish it was a little shallower. I can't reach the bottom without tools and cleaning the sand surface is impossible for me.

inetmug · 06/19/2014, 09:56 PM

Bigger is not always better LOL. Mine is 30", and I am darn glad no deeper. Although, I do agree that they kinda look cooler.

You can get the light to the bottom, just bring your wallet.

I am reading the Moe book, he points out the one thing RocketEngineer says on the gas exchange.

ca1ore · 06/19/2014, 10:12 PM

I was always in the shallower is better camp until buying my most recent tank. Was looking for a really big tank, but didn't want to pay custom prices, so I ended up with a Marineland 265 that is 30" tall. I certainly wouldn't go any taller as that height is just at the point of exceeding my arm length, but I have come to really like having that extra 6 inches above the rock. With the exception of my sand dwellers, all of my fish are equal opportunity swimmers and spend just as much time in the top third as they do the bottom third. OK, you absolutely do have to factor in surface area relative to volume, but frankly, with a sump, excessive in-tank circulation and a skimmer, I've noted no issues with oxygen levels. Maybe power outage plan needs a bit more attention, but otherwise I'm a tall tank convert.

As far as light penetration goes, I've become a pretty big fan of my LEDS and their ability to punch through height. Whether 36", for example, would be problematic I cannot say, but 30" has not been. I think my ideal tank would be 30" tall, but 36" deep ...... Maybe some day.

pyithar · 06/20/2014, 02:44 AM

my display is 30" tall. with the stand and sump underneath the tank, i need a tall chair or a small ladder to do maintenance. and my finger tips could barely reach the bottom. :P i think tall tanks look cool but 30" is the maximum for me. i just wish i had a 7 footer instead of a 4 footer.

06/19/2014, 03:43 PM	#1
JMorris271 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Foothills of SC Posts: 2,010	Hi tank Vs. Reg. I Don't know this to be fact but some say fish are usually swimming around he lower half of the tank, If that be true, what would be the advantage of a tall tank except for an occasional stray swimmer? I am trying to decide between the two and would appreciate any input. Thanks.

06/19/2014, 03:51 PM	#2
wm jim Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Blue Ash Ohio Posts: 56	Have a 200 gallon 4 foot tall with one lion plan to get several more. He is all over from top to bottom __________________ 300 gallon display, 200 gallon display, 200 gallon for lions 180 refusium and 50 gallon sump with 22 total tangs about 10 other types of fish. Tangs are by far my favorite fish. Current Tank Info: 300 and 200 mixed reef and fish mostly tangs and angels with a 200 gallon of lions with a 180 gallon refusium and a 50 gallon sump all tied together

06/19/2014, 05:06 PM	#3
SwampyBill Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: St. Pete, FL. Posts: 2,369	Some fish are more top dwellers. But my main reason for liking tall tanks is more room to add corals if aquascape is built up higher. __________________ I love me some wrasse... & laissez les bon temps rouler! Current Tank Info: 120 gal Vizio

06/19/2014, 08:52 PM	#6
RocketEngineer Space is big. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 3,226	There are several DISADVANTAGES to a tall tank: 1) They have a small surface area to volume ratio which means they don't exchange O2 and CO2 with the air very efficiently. This can be a big problem in a well stocked tank 2) They are hard to work in because you are likely going to need tools to reach the bottom. Personally, I don't want to need SCUBA gear to work in my tank and my arms are only so long. 3) If it is a reef, getting light penetration to the bottom becomes an issue. Long, wide tanks are best with most folks agreeing that 24" to 30" deep is the best balance of rock work height to lighting requirements. __________________ -RocketEngineer "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Current Tank Info: None Currently

06/19/2014, 09:11 PM	#7
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Agree w/ rockets comments, plus the fact getting good light down deeper can be challenging. I like 24" deep myself. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

06/19/2014, 05:06 PM	#4
Scubaken Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 261	My display is 36 inches deep, I have fish throughout the entire Colum.

06/19/2014, 08:16 PM	#5
Whistl3r Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Dallas, Ga. Posts: 80	You can select fish specifically the occupy different parts of the water column. The other main advantage (at least for me) is the ability to build nice rock structures that allow me to place corals anywhere from right under a light to all the way down on the sandbed depending on their lighting needs.

06/19/2014, 09:24 PM	#8
callsign4223 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 348	I got a 30" and I wish it was a little shallower. I can't reach the bottom without tools and cleaning the sand surface is impossible for me.

06/19/2014, 09:56 PM	#9
inetmug Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 693	Bigger is not always better LOL. Mine is 30", and I am darn glad no deeper. Although, I do agree that they kinda look cooler. You can get the light to the bottom, just bring your wallet. I am reading the Moe book, he points out the one thing RocketEngineer says on the gas exchange.

06/19/2014, 10:12 PM	#10
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I was always in the shallower is better camp until buying my most recent tank. Was looking for a really big tank, but didn't want to pay custom prices, so I ended up with a Marineland 265 that is 30" tall. I certainly wouldn't go any taller as that height is just at the point of exceeding my arm length, but I have come to really like having that extra 6 inches above the rock. With the exception of my sand dwellers, all of my fish are equal opportunity swimmers and spend just as much time in the top third as they do the bottom third. OK, you absolutely do have to factor in surface area relative to volume, but frankly, with a sump, excessive in-tank circulation and a skimmer, I've noted no issues with oxygen levels. Maybe power outage plan needs a bit more attention, but otherwise I'm a tall tank convert. As far as light penetration goes, I've become a pretty big fan of my LEDS and their ability to punch through height. Whether 36", for example, would be problematic I cannot say, but 30" has not been. I think my ideal tank would be 30" tall, but 36" deep ...... Maybe some day. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

06/20/2014, 02:44 AM	#11
pyithar Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: yangon,burma(myanmar) Posts: 1,786	my display is 30" tall. with the stand and sump underneath the tank, i need a tall chair or a small ladder to do maintenance. and my finger tips could barely reach the bottom. :P i think tall tanks look cool but 30" is the maximum for me. i just wish i had a 7 footer instead of a 4 footer.