Peninsula style tanks? 80-120g

jordan9095 · Jan 3, 2020

I'm looking to upgrade in the future to a 80-120g peninsula style shallow rimless tank & compiling a list. There are some cool AIO options that are smaller but I want a longer tank for one or two tangs and a sump.

I've only found a few manufacturers that offer this style of tank with the overflow in the correct spot. I've drilled a tank before and is an option but would like to avoid if possible. I would like starphire or similar low-iron glass on the three viewing panels but not a major deal. Eurobrace would be a plus. I'm more interested in buying just the tank for this build and want to build a custom stand/use an aftermarket sump.

Here is my list so far in ascending price:

Deep Blue (Seapora) Rimless 80g - 48" x 24" x16" (front pane has low-iron glass) - $400-700 for the tank
Fiji Cube Rimless 108g - 48" x 24" x 22.5" (ultra-clear low iron glass) - $1,300 for the tank
Waterbox 170G peninsula 5526 - 55" x 26" x 24" 9 (starphire glass) - $3,000 regular price/ $2,400 on sale with stand/sump/plumbing
Red Sea REEFER peninsula 132g - 49.2" x 23.6" x 23.6 (low-iron glass) - $3,000 with stand/sump/plumbing

A few honorable mentions from Innovative Marine that don't quite match the dims I want but I'm considering:

Nuvo INT 112 Eurobrace Lagoon 35.4" x 35.4" x 19.17" (low iron glass) - ~$2,000 with stand/plumbing
Nuvo INT 70g Drop Off Tank 23.6" x 35.4" x 55" (low iron glass) - ~$2,000 with stand/plumbing

Would be interested in hearing thoughts on these tanks, recommendations, and if I have missed any.

Thanks!

JoshH · Jan 3, 2020

jordan9095 said:
I'm looking to upgrade in the future to a 80-120g peninsula style shallow rimless tank & compiling a list. There are some cool AIO options that are smaller but I want a longer tank for one or two tangs and a sump.

I've only found a few manufacturers that offer this style of tank with the overflow in the correct spot. I've drilled a tank before and is an option but would like to avoid if possible. I would like starphire or similar low-iron glass on the three viewing panels but not a major deal. Eurobrace would be a plus. I'm more interested in buying just the tank for this build and want to build a custom stand/use an aftermarket sump.

Here is my list so far in ascending price:

Deep Blue (Seapora) Rimless 80g - 48" x 24" x16" (front pane has low-iron glass) - $400-700 for the tank

Fiji Cube Rimless 108g - 48" x 24" x 22.5" (ultra-clear low iron glass) - $1,300 for the tank

Waterbox 170G peninsula 5526 - 55" x 26" x 24" 9 (starphire glass) - $3,000 regular price/ $2,400 on sale with stand/sump/plumbing

Red Sea REEFER peninsula 132g - 49.2" x 23.6" x 23.6 (low-iron glass) - $3,000 with stand/sump/plumbing

A few honorable mentions from Innovative Marine that don't quite match the dims I want but I'm considering:

Nuvo INT 112 Eurobrace Lagoon 35.4" x 35.4" x 19.17" (low iron glass) - ~$2,000 with stand/plumbing

Nuvo INT 70g Drop Off Tank 23.6" x 35.4" x 55" (low iron glass) - ~$2,000 with stand/plumbing

Would be interested in hearing thoughts on these tanks, recommendations, and if I have missed any.

Thanks!

Ever look at the custom route? My Custom 60" L x 30" W x 17" H would definitely fall well within that budget, you could get the exact tank you want with 0 compromises. Heck I would do a 72" L x 30-36" W x 18-20" H, would be an AMAZING tank and you could totally do the custom stand option you want...

Most of the tanks you listed are great options, none are really all that shallow though and quite a few of them are questionable for most tangs....

Jimbo662 · Jan 3, 2020

You could also get Planet Aquariums to do a custom tank with one of they standard sizes and put the overflow on the end.

Pntbll687 · Jan 3, 2020

If you have a good local LFS ask them to get a custom quote from aqueon. Aqueon will custom drill any standard tank.

I have a 180 with a overflow on the short side to make it a peninsula. I chose this route because you still get the lifetime guarantee on the tank from aqueon.

Nevermind, I missed that you wanted rimless.

Here's mine anyway

jordan9095 · Jan 4, 2020

JoshH said:
Ever look at the custom route? My Custom 60" L x 30" W x 17" H would definitely fall well within that budget, you could get the exact tank you want with 0 compromises. Heck I would do a 72" L x 30-36" W x 18-20" H, would be an AMAZING tank and you could totally do the custom stand option you want...

Most of the tanks you listed are great options, none are really all that shallow though and quite a few of them are questionable for most tangs....

Jimbo662 said:
You could also get Planet Aquariums to do a custom tank with one of they standard sizes and put the overflow on the end.

I was thinking about custom but assumed it would be more expensive. I will definitely look into getting a quote from them.

Pntbll687 said:
If you have a good local LFS ask them to get a custom quote from aqueon. Aqueon will custom drill any standard tank.

I have a 180 with a overflow on the short side to make it a peninsula. I chose this route because you still get the lifetime guarantee on the tank from aqueon.

Nevermind, I missed that you wanted rimless.

Here's mine anyway

Awesome tank! Wish aqueon had a rimless version

Pntbll687 · Jan 4, 2020

jordan9095 said:
I was thinking about custom but assumed it would be more expensive. I will definitely look into getting a quote from them.

Awesome tank! Wish aqueon had a rimless version

Thanks!

Couple things to think about when deciding on the tank.
1) internal or external overflow. I had 74.5" of space to work with, so internal overflow was a must. I wanted the tank as close to the wall and possible as well
2) stand height. The top of my stand is 41" tall, wanted the bottom of the tank to be even with the short wall SO this dictated the height of the stand. It also makes viewing the tank more at eye level, which is even nicer.
3) flow. If possible I would get a closed loop drilled and installed. I had to add a gyre on the open end because of skim building up on the surface. I didn't want any powerheads on the three open sides, but I guess I'll have to live with the gyre.
4) GET WHAT YOU WANT! My wife and I came up with a budget and I stuck to it. I should have went the custom route. Don't get me wrong I love my tank setup, but I did compromise. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than get permission

Big E · Jan 5, 2020

I've done a lot of reasearch on this as I want to upgrade and the same conclusion keeps coming up. Custom is the best option and worth the extra cost.

Don't do the Seaopora 80g. It's inexpensive but it's just not big enough. I have the Deep Blue which is the same tank............it works well as a peninsula setup but it's just not big enough or wide enough.

30" wide or more is needed for a 360 degree aquascape view & set up.

I've gone through all the Waterbox, Innovative marine,ect options for quite some time and they just don't fit my needs.

I don't want to upgrade again. You lose a ton of money trying to sell these setups once you change your mind.

I've eliminated all the internal overflows as they take up too much space. Again with a custom you can do a smaller size in tank overflow (modular marine, synergy, ect) that only takes up a small amount of space at the top or simply do an external overflow.

The best pre made option I have found is the Elos 120XL as it's overflow footprint is small, but they are much more costly. Stand prices are ridiculous.

chazxyz · Jan 5, 2020

You ever look into Pro Clear/Star tanks? My husband and I just bought a 140g from a lfs for $1600 after taxes. It comes on Tuesday. Seems they are fairly new to the market so not many reviews out yet. Here’s a link to a 110g Peninsula.

ProStar Rimless 110 Gallon System (Black) Peninsular Style

ProStar Rimless 110 Gallon System (Black) Peninsular Style Get all your saltwater needs at the Superstore! Great prices guaranteed with our New Rewards program!

aquatic-sealife.com

The only thing to be wary about is they factor in the water that goes into the sump so the display portion is more like 75g. I don’t know if other manufacturers do it like that too but regardless we saw the tank in person and liked it.

Here’s a link to another member’s Pro Star build.

Build Thread - Pro Clear ProStar 220 Build... A first on R2R I think........

Greetings :) R2R I have been silently looking around R2R for a year gathering information and learning the hobby (learned a ton of good stuff), thought I better make my first contribution! Talked the family into upgrading from my existing 75 gallon reef (luckily it didn’t take much talking)...

www.reef2reef.com

PSU4ME · Jan 5, 2020

A miracles custom tank could also be an option. Have always been happy with their quality and price

Sixdinnersquid · Feb 21, 2022

Where'd you arrive on this?

jordan9095 · Feb 25, 2022

strohrbaugh said:
Where'd you arrive on this?

i got a good deal on a 48x24 tank with overflow on the end & stand locally. here it is before i filled it up with fish and corals. have to get more recent pics

Sixdinnersquid · Mar 2, 2022

Wow, that is gorgeous. Can't wait until you find the shots with livestock!

iannarelli · Mar 7, 2022

Pntbll687 said:
If you have a good local LFS ask them to get a custom quote from aqueon. Aqueon will custom drill any standard tank.

I have a 180 with a overflow on the short side to make it a peninsula. I chose this route because you still get the lifetime guarantee on the tank from aqueon.

Nevermind, I missed that you wanted rimless.

Here's mine anyway

According to the Aqueon rep one of my LFS deals with, Aqueon has ceased it's drilling program for the foreseeable future. I am in the midst of planning a 60g/75g/120g (I can't decide) peninsula tank, and coming across your post seemed like the perfect solution. All the custom manufacturers warranties are a year or two, three at best, and thats if you buy their stand, otherwise it's 30 days. Having a lifetime warranty would have been awesome. Guess I will have to just drill my own now.