Corner tanks - yeah or nay?

SueAndHerZoo · Aug 4, 2019

I've had several reef tanks over the years and still currently have a 92 gallon corner up and running (about 10 years now). And for most of those years, I've hate it. The stand doesn't allow for much equipment and it's very hard to work under there, too hard to light it properly, too hard to get the flow right, and seems much harder to keep clean than my other tanks.

I miss my seahorses and have been looking for yet another tank so I can get back into them, but I really don't want another tank. So I've thought about gutting the corner tank, starting fresh, recycling it, and putting horses only in it. Or I'm thinking if I gut it and clean it, maybe I should sell it and get a rectangular tank for that corner of the house.

Does anyone love their corner tank and find it easy to maintain and keep clean? I was thinking it might be easier with seahorses but then again they create a mess with their frequent feedings, and they can't tolerate a high flow so that might even be a worse situation for a corner tank.

Thoughts? Opinions?
Sue

saltyhog · Aug 4, 2019

Great thread! I've always loved the looks of corner tanks (and bow fronts) but never gotten one due to concerns about maintenance and what you've noted. Interested see if other corner tank owners have the same issues!

Auquanut · Aug 4, 2019

I've never had a corner tank, but have always liked the look of them. I would have to agree about the limited space for equipment/maintenance. My wife and I have been considering starting up a seahorse tank too. If we take the plunge, we will be going with a large sump and oversized skimmer, so for me a corner tank would probably be out of the question.

SueAndHerZoo · Aug 4, 2019

Forgot to mention the slight distortion when looking through the glass. It doesn't bother some people, but for someone like me who is sometimes staring closely with a magnifying glass and flashlight, it gets really annoying to have my vision distorted by the curved glass. Think I'm answering my own question.

3dvice · Aug 4, 2019

I used to have a 120g pentagon shaped corner tank that I loved. Plenty or room underneath. The main front panel was 4' wide and each side front panel was 1' wide. I can't stand the curved corner tanks though, too much distortion and like you noted not much useable space.

SueAndHerZoo · Aug 4, 2019

3dvice said:
I used to have a 120g pentagon shaped corner tank that I loved. Plenty or room underneath. The main front panel was 4' wide and each side front panel was 1' wide. I can't stand the curved corner tanks though, too much distortion and like you noted not much useable space.

I've actually been shopping for used octagons since seahorses prefer height over width, but the ones I've found are TOO tall and I know I will be frustrated if I can't reach the bottom of the tank with my arm. The search continues, but I think this corner tank needs to go. But I'm also trying something new in my life: not making any rash decisions! So I'm anxious to hear the opinions and thoughts of others.
Sue

Guttersnipe · Aug 4, 2019

I would never get a tank that is not rectangular or square.

CDavmd · Aug 4, 2019

Just took mine down after 14 years give or take.

Looked nice in the room BUT aqua scaping was a royal pain. I was never happy. No room for growth or fish to swim.

Cabinet sucked. No room for an adequate sump or equipment.

Never again. It now runs in my basement as a QT system!

3dvice · Aug 5, 2019

Found some pics of that 120g starphire corner tank I built way back in 2003

can't believe how long ago it was! Fit a 40 gallon sump, skimmer, calcium reactor with 10lb bottle, a 3000gph return pump, ballasts, controllers etc. under there no problem. I think this is an ideal size for a corner tank, anything smaller and space definitely starts getting tight.

SueAndHerZoo · Aug 5, 2019

Wow, that's beautiful! But I wonder if the fact that it's more of a hexagon than a corner tank made it more appealing. You probably didn't have major issues with flow/dead spots, and you didn't have the distortion with all the curved glass. If someone wanted to give me one of those tanks, I certainly wouldn't turn it down.

Sue

gdubs · Oct 23, 2019

I had a 92g for seven years and had the same issues with limited space for the sump & equipment. Ultimately I ended up staying with a corner tank, but going with a 235g (48" sides x 30" deep) which gives me plenty of space. I used 1 MP40 on my 92g and use 1 MP60 on my 235g and I've never had any problems with flow or movement that I hear a lot of people complain about.

MichaelReefer · Oct 23, 2019

3dvice said:
Found some pics of that 120g starphire corner tank I built way back in 2003 can't believe how long ago it was! Fit a 40 gallon sump, skimmer, calcium reactor with 10lb bottle, a 3000gph return pump, ballasts, controllers etc. under there no problem. I think this is an ideal size for a corner tank, anything smaller and space definitely starts getting tight.

Wow! That looks awesome. Did you just get glass custom cut and then silicone it?

motortrendz · Oct 23, 2019

I had a 92 corner bow. I wound up raising the stand up 8 inches. And making a sump out of a 54g bow corner and it fit inside the stand. Tight fit. But it fit. Currently I'm running another corner tank about 80gallons. I like the look but the glass distortion is annoying and using powerheads on the angled glass is a PITA. my next tank will be going back to a traditional rectangle

3dvice · Oct 23, 2019

MichaelReefer said:
Wow! That looks awesome. Did you just get glass custom cut and then silicone it?

Yeah, I designed the tank and then had a glass shop cut it all to spec then I assembled it. It's all starphire glass with beveled & polished edges and looked incredible.

Dennis Steele · Oct 23, 2019

I have a 92 corner and find the same issues as you. I love the way it looks but find it almost impossible to get the flow correct for anything but fish only. I started this tank about 4 months ago and am considering replacing it with a 90 cube.

ADAM · Oct 23, 2019

Dennis Steele said:
I have a 92 corner and find the same issues as you. I love the way it looks but find it almost impossible to get the flow correct for anything but fish only. I started this tank about 4 months ago and am considering replacing it with a 90 cube.

Cmon don’t leave the double top secret corner tank club that you were not even aware of because we keep it so secret!

Backreefing · Oct 23, 2019

I say yes if you like it do it , as in . Do what you want and stay interested.

ADAM · Oct 23, 2019

Vote: Yeah
Love mine.... took a while to get flow figured out like most others, but the depth and space saved in a room is unbeatable! Every seat in the living room has a great view of these tanks too! I struggled with lighting areas like I wanted particularly with MH, until I took a little different approach and put lower light corals around the out edge and higher demand towards the middle. LED have simplified things immensely. I ran 2- Hydra26HD for a couple years and have since switched to 3-XR15 with diffusers. A 30” sump will fit if you grease it up. I have a Ruby 30 wedged underneath with room for DDR and skimmate locker too! Flow for the DT is supplied by 2 MP40 which keep plenty of flow for LPS, Softies, Montipora.
However not much room for a command center so it’s mounted outside.....for now! The sump area is in the planning stage for an overhaul.

Dennis Steele · Oct 23, 2019

ADAM said:
Vote: Yeah
Love mine.... took a while to get flow figured out like most others, but the depth and space saved in a room is unbeatable! Every seat in the living room has a great view of these tanks too! I struggled with lighting areas like I wanted particularly with MH, until I took a little different approach and put lower light corals around the out edge and higher demand towards the middle. LED have simplified things immensely. I ran 2- Hydra26HD for a couple years and have since switched to 3-XR15 with diffusers. A 30” sump will fit if you grease it up. I have a Ruby 30 wedged underneath with room for DDR and skimmate locker too! Flow for the DT is supplied by 2 MP40 which keep plenty of flow for LPS, Softies, Montipora.
However not much room for a command center so it’s mounted outside.....for now! The sump area is in the planning stage for an overhaul.