30" tall tanks too high...regrets?

[Reefpuck]

Looking at a 220g which is 30" tall...and just wondering if anyone got a tall tank and absolutely hates it. I have a 90g currently which is 24" high...and I can barely reach the sandbed now but manage.

I figured some sort of handy grabber could fix any issues with a slightly taller tank. I plan on going with a heavy mix of LEDs/T5s...so I'm not too concerned with light intensity at the bottom.

 

[saltyhog]

Great question! I'm anxious to see what those with the taller tanks have to say.

I have a 72x24x21 tank (21 inches tall) and I don't think I will ever consider a tank more than 24" tall. I'm almost 6'1" and I'm not sure I could reach bottom at the back of my tank if it was any taller.

 

[Bhor217]

I have a 30 inch tall 150. I will be honest, it is pretty tall to work with, but for the footprint I wanted, it was the only way I could get extra gallons.

I don't hate it, but I definitely think it is on the too tall side. I use grabbers and an extended siphon which helps alot but it is hard to do much with your hands, especially on the bottom.

It is important to note that I have a FOWLR, so I do not need to get to the bottom often, other than to clean, if I was keeping corals, I would definitely be more frustrated with the height of my tank if that makes sense.

In fact, I have been playing around with custom tank dimensions for my dream tank one day, and I have been keeping it at 24 inch height for easier access. Just my 2 cents!

 

[Reefpuck]

That's what I'm worried about...mounting corals or having to use my hands down towards the bottom might be a pain in the butt...even though I'm telling myself it won't be that bad.

Was thinking I could always arrange a large water change every month to lower the tank water...so I could get to the bottom if needed without wearing a snorkel.

Just stuck on a 6' wide tank...looking to max out my water volume as well!

 

[Bhor217]

That is not a bad idea, but seems like a definite way to get Murphy to visit. I am sure there will be times when you need to access the bottom and you are not in the midst of a large water change.

I would prefer to go longer and wider than taller. The larger width gives you more room to scape, and can accomplishes the water volume goal. I am not sure why 24 in wide tanks are the standard, if I were to do it again, I would go 36 wide, or potentially even 48 if I wanted to maximize my water volume. Though the more wide it is, the more necessary it is to have access to both front and back.

 

[Peace River]

I have a 30 inch tall 150. I will be honest, it is pretty tall to work with, but for the footprint I wanted, it was the only way I could get extra gallons.

I don't hate it, but I definitely think it is on the too tall side. I use grabbers and an extended siphon which helps alot but it is hard to do much with your hands, especially on the bottom.

It is important to note that I have a FOWLR, so I do not need to get to the bottom often, other than to clean, if I was keeping corals, I would definitely be more frustrated with the height of my tank if that makes sense.

In fact, I have been playing around with custom tank dimensions for my dream tank one day, and I have been keeping it at 24 inch height for easier access. Just my 2 cents!

+1

This aligns with my experience with 30” high 150g.

 

[Aquanaut WA]

Looking at a 220g which is 30" tall...and just wondering if anyone got a tall tank and absolutely hates it. I have a 90g currently which is 24" high...and I can barely reach the sandbed now but manage.

I figured some sort of handy grabber could fix any issues with a slightly taller tank. I plan on going with a heavy mix of LEDs/T5s...so I'm not too concerned with light intensity at the bottom.

I suggest a suspended canopy that can move up out of the way. I have a 31” tall 110g and have an awkward time with long grabbers and siphons when manipulating things about and moving heavy rock at times that break some grabbers from the torque.

 

[Onewolf]

Haha

 

[d2mini]

I'd absolutely hate it. Nothing higher than 24" for me.

 

[RichReef]

I have had 2 30 inch deep tanks. There are some things to consider.

Can't use lots of rock in your display. I mean you can, but you can't. Not with out having problems.

Your scape should be well planned out so you can reach everywhere with something. Arms, grabbers, ect. I would plan and fix my scape to be rigid and safe. Using bonding agents suck as Marcos or even concrete with plenty of random holes drilled for frags.

Maybe even a minimalist scape with a product such as Marine Pure in the sump. I used a basement sump with a 75 gallon that was 1/4 lit, full of live rock, spray bars, and a 150f gyre on full blast.

I would avoid DSBs.

Buy gloves that go all the way up your arm.

Don't have the tank sitting in a carpeted area. There will be plenty of times things get really wet including your shirt.

Mount lights on hangers that you can raise and lower.

If you know the challenges going in things aren't bad at all.

I loved my 30 inch tanks. My next build is a 30 inch 150.

 

[PatW]

My tank is 27” and it gets a bit tricky. Added height looks great from an aspect ratio. But it is certainly unwieldy. I like increased depth ... also called width by some. Increased depth really gives you scope for aquascaping. And something else that is appealing is a peninsula tank because of easy access from both sides.

 

[leepink23]

I didn’t like my 150 gallon 30 height , I switched to a 120 gallon 24 height that is much easier to deal with.

 

[motortrendz]

As much as I loved my 220, and plan on another 30 in deep tank in the future, i always took a bath working on the tank. And had to move the lights when i really needed to get in there. up on a ladder, remove lights and take a bath. But I'd do it again bc or really makes a nice wall of water.

 

[Reefpuck]

Sounds like I need to really account for making the light easily removable if I go with a 30" tall tank. I think between that and doing a larger water change to lower the water level during hands-on maintenance....may make it doable.

Really appreciating all the input folks!

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Looking at a 220g which is 30" tall...and just wondering if anyone got a tall tank and absolutely hates it. I have a 90g currently which is 24" high...and I can barely reach the sandbed now but manage.

I figured some sort of handy grabber could fix any issues with a slightly taller tank. I plan on going with a heavy mix of LEDs/T5s...so I'm not too concerned with light intensity at the bottom.

I also have a 30” tall 150 and don’t mind it, I like having the open area above my reef. I did build a canopy that is easily removable for when I need to reach the bottom of the tank. Would I do it again? Yes.

 

[smartwater101]

My tank is only ~22" tall and I regret it lol. I even have a shorter stand than standard. I can't stand trying to do maintenance. (I'm 5' 9" for reference)

My next tank will be shallow with a slightly lower stand. Ease of maintenance is a massive perk in the long term. Plus tall tanks don't look all that great to me. Long tanks ftw

 

[ReefingWoonkie]

I have the Aqueon 210 with is 29 1/2 high. It looks amazing, but working on it is a pain and I have long arms

 

[hart24601]

Keep in mind many people like taller stands too. Marineland (29" I think) vs something like a waterbox which is 36". That 7 inches is going to be a huge pain on a 30" tall tank if you like a bigger stand like most do.

I would never own another 30" tank.

 

[Murica]

I have a 30 inch tall and will be getting a 36 inch eventually. I don't have any issues or regrets, and it's very easy using a grabber to get to those hard to reach areas

 

[Snookin]

Talls are terrible to work with to me. They look great but maintenance is brutal and you may need stronger lighting if keeping corals. Shorter tanks are better in the long run from an ease of maintenance standpoint. The harder anything is to do people are less likely to do it. If it sucks to get half your body wet to maintain a tank you may not do maintenance as much as you should.