"Drop-off" tank style

SammieT · Mar 4, 2020

So i recently purchased a "drop-off" style tank that will be here in a week...

my question is to those who do own one, how do you like it? pros and cons?
do you have pictures so i can get a rough idea to scape it?

any advice?

Thank you!

Bob Lauson · Mar 4, 2020

Here is one I used to have. It was not a huge drop off but I thought it looked kind of cool (different from most aquariums at least). Pros: Unique and different from others Cons: A lot of fish like to congregate in the smaller drop off area from time to time, it was a challenging to clean, place coral, or change the rock-scape because is was so deep in the drop off.

SammieT · Mar 5, 2020

Bob Lauson said:
Here is one I used to have. It was not a huge drop off but I thought it looked kind of cool (different from most aquariums at least). Pros: Unique and different from others Cons: A lot of fish like to congregate in the smaller drop off area from time to time, it was a challenging to clean, place coral, or change the rock-scape because is was so deep in the drop off.

That does look amazing though!

you have the IM model? What kind of lighting did you use?

bsr2430 · Mar 5, 2020

Dude! Don’t forget to do a build! I love these tanks!

Daniel@R2R · Mar 5, 2020

@chopsie has one that drops off on either side. His is definitely one to look at!

Bob Lauson · Mar 5, 2020

SammieT said:
That does look amazing though!

you have the IM model? What kind of lighting did you use?

I am not sure what you mean by "IM Model". Please forgive my ignorance and clarify and I will see what I have.
Regarding the lighting, I got rid of this aquarium about 6 years ago and when I did I had converted it to XR30W radions (3 of them). I bought a 60" long fixture that had metal halides down the middle and 60" actinic compact fluorescent lights along each side.

Duncan Tse · Mar 5, 2020

Check out thank_space on instagram

One of the nicest acro dominated drop off tank I've seen.

SammieT · Mar 6, 2020

Bob Lauson said:
I am not sure what you mean by "IM Model". Please forgive my ignorance and clarify and I will see what I have.
Regarding the lighting, I got rid of this aquarium about 6 years ago and when I did I had converted it to XR30W radions (3 of them). I bought a 60" long fixture that had metal halides down the middle and 60" actinic compact fluorescent lights along each side.

IM model is the Innovative Marine maker

i did notice a few other makers, but not much

SammieT · Mar 6, 2020

bsr2430 said:
Dude! Don’t forget to do a build! I love these tanks!

If my wife finds out and I don't make a build post, you know she killed me

SammieT · Mar 6, 2020

Duncan Tse said:
Check out thank_space on instagram

One of the nicest acro dominated drop off tank I've seen.

Will def check them out! thank you!

SammieT · Mar 6, 2020

chopsie said:
Thank you for the mention @Daniel@R2R

That's such an amazing set up

Pictures like this is what pushed me to finally cave in and buy the tank

now the fun part is lights.... i was thinking the new gen 5 rads

Bob Lauson · Mar 6, 2020

SammieT said:
IM model is the Innovative Marine maker

i did notice a few other makers, but not much

The tank was made as two separate tanks from Glass Cages. They cut the bottom of the longer aquarium short to create the opening for the smaller "drop-off" aquarium which I then rigged up to the top aquarium. I used a series of jacking screws and shims to get the bottom aquarium up tight and siliconed to the upper. To hide the seem I glued on a black acrylic strip.

Lorenz725 · Mar 6, 2020

I have both innovative marine models. I been running them over a year and love them so far. If you have any questions ask away you can also check out my build post.

SammieT · Mar 7, 2020

Lorenz725 said:
I have both innovative marine models. I been running them over a year and love them so far. If you have any questions ask away you can also check out my build post.

Very beautiful! You are running the 20 gallon and the 70 correct?

Lorenz725 · Mar 7, 2020

SammieT said:
Very beautiful! You are running the 20 gallon and the 70 correct?

Nope both are the 20 gallons. The 70 came out about 6 moths after I started them. Wish I had the 70 I am running out of room!

SammieT · Mar 8, 2020

Lorenz725 said:
Nope both are the 20 gallons. The 70 came out about 6 moths after I started them. Wish I had the 70 I am running out of room!

Hows the 20G working for you besides the running out of space?
I am currently debating on lighting also, that's my next hassle

SammieT · Mar 8, 2020

chopsie said:
I am on my third drop off aquarium now, I will see if I can find any pictures

What sizes?

Manics1 · Mar 8, 2020

Ifalos Seriphos, early days yet, shipped all the way from Greece....

Lorenz725 · Mar 8, 2020

SammieT said:
Hows the 20G working for you besides the running out of space?
I am currently debating on lighting also, that's my next hassle

I love the 20 I used to run a 150 with a 100 gallon basement sump had to sell due to a move. I miss not being able to get what fish I wanted and have all the space. But I love how easy a water change is and I don’t run a skimmer in my 20’s. They to me seem a lot easier to care for. Also lighting is a lot easier and cheaper one light will cover the 20 no problem.