Need feedback for a 300 Gal Upgrade

[Hydrored]

I currently have an 8’ 210 and looking to upgrade to 300 gallons+, current tank is 21 tall.

I have a couple options for tank size after I received my quote back- 96x30x25 or 84x30x30

I have owned multiple reef tanks but nothing taller than 24”. How much in the pain in the butt is maintaining a 30” tall reef tank? I was looking @Parker's reef tank and that height really seems to creat an awesome space for sps growth and swimming space.

Wanted to hear from fellow reefers on size they think is better. I can not go greater than a 30” width

Current tank-

 

[dwair]

It is a super pain to have that tall of a tank. To do anything on the bottom, you basically HAVE to have some type of tongs or equipment to do stuff, otherwise you are sticking your head in the water. I'd really advise against it. It may look good, but the maintenance becomes awful.

 

[Hydrored]

It is a super pain to have that tall of a tank. To do anything on the bottom, you basically HAVE to have some type of tongs or equipment to do stuff, otherwise you are sticking your head in the water. I'd really advise against it. It may look good, but the maintenance becomes awful.

Thank you, 24 or 25 do you think is the cutoff?

 

[dwair]

Thank you, 24 or 25 do you think is the cutoff?

Thats personal prefence to be honest. Myself personally I wouldn't go higher than 24. But thats because at 24" to reach the bottom with a 2" sandbed, I'm almost sticking my whole arm in, gets close to my armpit hair lol. Thats what my current tank is, but when I get my new tank, I plan on going at a max of 21", makes things so much easier.

If you are taller with longer arms though, 24 or 25 shouldnt be an issue. I'm 5'9" so 24 is my limit.

 

[X-37B]

Im going the other way on my upgrade, from 24" to 20".
I want to be able to reach all areas of the tank.
I am going 84x36x20 peninsula style.
This will alow me to have a 32" stand and be able to access the tank without a step ladder.
My 120 is 24" tall and the stand is 36".
24" would be the max height I would want to entertain.

 

[mpatient]

I am going way in the opposite direction. Have a 23 inch tall 90g and going down/ up to a waterbox frag 165 at 16" I literally have my whole arm in the tank the trying to get to anything on the bottom.

 

[Hydrored]

Thanks for the feedback! Only reason I’m upgrading is the tank has to come out anyways so I figured might as well go larger. 6 inches of added width only gives me 50 more gallons and no height added for growth. Having everyone say they are going lower is concerning to me and making me rethink my decision on a 25 tall

I love the 21 height but I feel it limits swimming space and requires rock structure to stay low for acro growth and caves for fish. I have a milli that’s already at the weirs

 

[RC Reefer 5184]

I have a 96x30x25 and don’t have issues. It is tough to get to very back around the rock work but that usually is a very rare Occasion. I personally would take the extra gallons and do 25.

 

[X-37B]

Thanks for the feedback! Only reason I’m upgrading is the tank has to come out anyways so I figured might as well go larger. 6 inches of added width only gives me 50 more gallons and no height added for growth. Having everyone say they are going lower is concerning to me and making me rethink my decision on a 25 tall

I love the 21 height but I feel it limits swimming space and requires rock structure to stay low for acro growth and caves for fish. I have a milli that’s already at the weirs

I also thought that but in my 120 I went with a minimal scape. I could have added 6" in height and it would have been perfect.
I have 15 fish and plenty of room for corals to grow and fish to hide. I plan on a similar scape in my upgrade.
Here is my 26 month old 120.

 

[Addictedreefer87]

I have a 72x30. It's manageable. Grabber tongs help. I use a 4 ft ladder sometimes when working on the sand bed and have to go shoulder deep. It's not to much of a pain to make be go back to a 24" though.