Help convince me to not be so cheap

[HeyJay]

I'm planning an upgrade to my 48x24x16 shallow reef. The new tank will be in-wall so I want some more height.

My options are:

150 gallon SCA 60x24x24 for $1000
120 gallon Seapora 60x18x25 for $550

Is the 6" width and low iron glass worth almost double the cost?

 

[Starkrost]

The only benefit I found on using low-iron glass is it lets in up to 6% more light. Personally, I'd save the $450 to better equipment (lighting, pumps, heater, controller, etc.).

 

[tnyr5]

If you are used to wide, tall and narrow will drive you crazy.

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

Low iron glass can be nice, but if scratches easy and is more expensive. If you can find dimensions you like in regular aquarium glass, that’s the what I would recommend.

 

[vanpire]

I'm planning an upgrade to my 48x24x16 shallow reef. The new tank will be in-wall so I want some more height.

My options are:

150 gallon SCA 60x24x24 for $1000
120 gallon Seapora 60x18x25 for $550

Is the 6" width and low iron glass worth almost double the cost?

The extra width is worth it. BUT if you are patient, wait and look for used glass tanks. You can pick up nice ones for cheap. I got a low iron rimless 48l" x 30"w x 18"h rimless with ghost overflows for $150. I am using it as a sump and frag tank combo under my display. Also got a 48"l x 30"w x 20"h rimless reef ready tank for $300.

 

[HeyJay]

The extra width is worth it. BUT if you are patient, wait and look for used glass tanks. You can pick up nice ones for cheap. I got a low iron rimless 48l" x 30"w x 18"h rimless with ghost overflows for $150. I am using it as a sump and frag tank combo under my display. Also got a 48"l x 30"w x 20"h rimless reef ready tank for $300.

Fair point, but I'm pretty set on a 60" tank and I think they're just not common enough to wait around for

 

[nereefpat]

The 6" more room back to front would be worth it to me, but the starfire wouldn't be.

If the overflow is on the end, then I could make the 18" width work...but doing mine over, I wish I would have gone 24" wide.

Up to you of course.

 

[HeyJay]

The 6" more room back to front would be worth it to me, but the starfire wouldn't be.

If the overflow is on the end, then I could make the 18" width work...but doing mine over, I wish I would have gone 24" wide.

Up to you of course.

I hadn't thought about overflow placement... I think the 18" does have a corner overflow. The 24" is in the center.

 

[Albertan22]

I could care less about low iron glass but would never be happy with an 18 inch wide tank. That 6 inches makes a huge difference when aquascaping. I think on a long tank like that 18 inches wide would feel very disproportionate. Once you go 24 you’ll never go back.