Deep & wide: Do you prefer a tall or shallow tank?

[Reefing102]

I like shallow (in my opinion anything less than about 20 inches) and deep front to back. Step stool or no step stool is fine as a tall stand is nice and roomy

 

[ShoalSister]

I prefer shallow and long. Long to provide swimming strides and shallow for ease in maintenance. But, i have a mix of deep and shallow set ups because I bought tanks that were on sale.

I have fowlr set ups. Also most of my fish don't seem to like hanging out in the upper 3rd of jy deeper tanks...except for a pigmy file fish.

 

[Spicy Reef]

There are soooo many reasons maintenance wise etc for shorter tank, I just love the look of a tall tank though. It really draws me into the ocean feel. I wish mine was deeper/wider...front to back

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[paragrouper]

I guess shallow—so my stubby little arms can reach the bottom.

 

[mosreef]

So far I'm loving my brand new IM Shallow Reef 120 - it's 6' long by only 16" deep and I can reach the bottom no problem. Just finished cycling 3 days ago and don't have anything in there but pods yet. But I really really like it.

"Danny's Aquariums" shallow reef inspired me - but I couldn't find a similar size tank so went bigger instead

 

[shakacuz]

i’m okay with either, although my current 40B is just too good to pass up. 75-90G i i’ll be as big of a tank as i’ll get unless i get the tank custom made to what i can envision.

 

[sp1187]

30" deep

 

[i2ik]

Depends on your arm length and what kind of tank. For peninsula, you can have a wide tank and be able to work on both side of the tank.

I rather have a wide tank and less height. I have a 36 inch wide and 27 inch tall with an inch of sand peninsula view. I find that size balanced to my liking

 

[LPS Bum]

What do you consider tall? What do you consider shallow?

Both my reef and my FOWLR are 24 inches top to bottom. I think that's a nice compromise between giving the fish and corals enough room to be happy and not being so tall that maintenance becomes a real chore.

In terms of shape, I'll always take longer vs shorter. My reef is 5 feet long and my FOWLR is 8 feet long. Keeps the tang police away...

 

[hotdrop]

12-14” tanks would be my preference. Unfortunately they are more expensive and less available than deeper tanks. If I want more volume I’d put it in the sump. It costs significantly more and is much harder to light a deep tank and I wouldn’t ever go deeper than 18” again.

 

[Dom]

Shallow tanks are cheaper and easier to light properly.

 

[Reefering1]

Yes. The industry standard for tall is 21”+ and the shallow tanks are below 16” normally.

In that case, I have a deep sump too!!. Pain in the butt, but itll take a extra 15 gallons if it needs to

 

[NabberNate]

I prefer a tank that is half as deep as it is wide. i.e. 5ft tank = 30" deep. When it comes to height, 24" is generally good. A little shorter is easier to clean and aquascape, but at the shorter height some circulation pumps stir up either the surface or sand bed too much. Surface agitation can causes too much noise in the overflow.

 

[Bruce Burnett]

Define tall or short. I think anything over 24 inches as tall and anything under 20 inches as short. 30 inch tall x 30 inches depth makes for hard cleaning unless you can access front and back. Size is relative to space you have and money. A 48x48 x 20-24 tall with viewing all the way around allows you to reach anywhere in display for maintenance. Could even go 30 inches tall.
But like all setups comes down to the look you want in the space. Larger surface area means more flow, more lights, more evaporation. Most people are not looking for a frag display like lfs. Taller tanks require thicker glass and or eurobracing. Personally I would love a tank that I can view all the way around and top down. But at my age just can't see that kind of money and maintenance.

 

[Pacific North Reef]

I have a tall tank now an old 50gal, but after seeing all the different shapes out today, the shallow reef is cool but takes up some space, at least with a tall tank, you can keep it from sticking out like sore thumb! With the caveat that it not be so tall that I can't reach the bottom (ideally, I'd like to have a 48 X 24 x 21 OR 72 X 24 x 22)

 

[Greybeard]

Mine's 18" deep. 60" x 30", long and wide... and shallow. Shop I know has a 3' deep tank... you need a scuba setup to clean the durned thing.

Keep your sleeves dry

 

[Brian Berry]

Not sure where it falls but I'm really partial to the 20-21" height. It can be almost any width. Nice balance of looks, maintenance ease, light penetration and room for stuff.

I completely agree. I like 3ft and under for viewing .

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

I voted tall tank as I like the ability to place corals at different depths. But when it comes to tank size I like longer and wider vs shorter and narrower as I want as much surface area as I can get.

 

[steveschuerger]

I have 16.5 tall tank. 60 gallon. If I get another larger tank it’ll be a shallow one. Do have a taller freshwater in living room. But since I don’t have to put my hands in too often I’m fine with it.

 

[FishTruck]

For side viewing, I like deep. 30 inches is a practical limit for what I am willing to spend on lights and the length of my arms.

I do also really love shallow tanks with an option to view from the top (like really well done frag tanks). My frag tanks are 24 inches deep and this was a mistake that I will eventually remedy.