Plans for NEW TANK: go wider -or- go deeper?

[kingjoe]

I was planning a 60X24X24 and when asked next move (up or wide) everyone was saying to me go wide. This also has the added advantage of giving extra stand space for equipment. Although, I was talking about mixed tank where light to bottom matters. Maybe on a fish dominant tank up is just as good? BTW, my current plan is 60X30X24.

The tank I'm currently setting up has the same dimensions as yours. I wanted a deeper aquascape and the side view will be half the width of the front, so it makes for an interesting perspective.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I just picked up an item that was bothering me off the bottom of my 25" tall tank with 27" tongs-- didn't even get my fingers wet. Perfect 'max. height' in my opinion.

 

[shim]

Anyone out there have a 36" wide x 36" long "lagoon style" (what I think it's called) tank? Any downsides?

 

[Mjl714]

I think it really depends on the planned location of the tank. In my case I would go wider to 6’ tank from a four foot tank, better fit for my room and viewing pleasure.

 

[Gordon Marvin]

For a large aquarium wider is much better, although 18 inches deep is good especially if you keep large fish like tangs,

 

[lefkonj]

Wider is what I want. Have a 180 myself. If I was building a new tank it would be 84lx25tx30w.

This way you have as much 'floorspace' as possible for swimming around and corals. Not sure taller helps that much. Think about light penetration and such.

 

[Augus7us]

I wish the tank industry would wake up and get away from this ancient 24" wide standard.

When I look at my tank I want depth and I intend to scape mine it to maximize that affect.

 

[nornicle]

Front to back - I went 30" wide and 24" tall 60" long. Had to upgrade lighting as normal lights are manufactured usually for 24" wide.

If I had the approval to (and it was a peninsula so I could reach both sides) I would go 35 even 40" wide... I view the tank from the side when I'm at my dinging table and it's a really lovely view.

 

[ShawnSaucier]

I have a 60x30x24 currently, my next tank I would like to do is a 60x60x24 with a drop down in the front being 60x20x48. Would like to do a deep sand bed in this section and house some garden eels.
But you will enjoy deeper front to back

 

[ca1ore]

Wider, longer, deeper, taller .... I’m lost. I’d agree that 30” is probably the tallest I’d go. Front to back depth is awsome. My current tank is 36” and opens up all sorts of aquascape options. Length (width?) is as much as you can fit/afford. I went 96”. Could have fit 102” but the cost up charge wasn’t worth the small length increase. Someday I will have a 10 or even 12 foot long tank.

 

[Tamberav]

Wider for sure. Better aquascape and depth and easier to manage.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

My vote is for a deeper front to back tank also. The taller tanks are brutal to fish stuff out of. If you are unable to do a deeper front to back tank, then I would vote for longer. Keep us posted on what you decide.

 

[Richyreefer]

I went 72 x 30 x 30 for my lps and this has become my favorite dimension. I have a 48 x 30 x 30 for discus and wish i could have made it longer. I love my lps dimensions so much i am going to convert my red sea reefer xl425 sps tank to a 72 x 30 x 30 to give the corals more vertical space to grow. Also, i feel a 30 inch deep tank gives tangs and other larger fish a little more headroom to swim. Unless you have long arms like the 6' 4" guy this is as deep as you would want though. The 30 inch fro t to back is great for aquascaping too. Anybody want a used RRR xl 425?

 

[KWSanders]

anybody ever have to get in their tank to work or clean ? I’m planning a tank as 8’ wide as 5’ deep 30-36” tall I imagine i might have to get in once in a while

 

[waterskiguy]

Wider
My tank is 84”x30”x24” I’d love to have one that was 40” wide at 24” tall.

 

[SoggyNW]

Deeper also requires thicker glass which makes it way more expensive not to mention heavy. Go over to planet aquarium and check out the price of going from 24 inches deep to 30 inches deep in their 8' tabks

 

[zalick]

I'd go wider (longer) for sure. My tank is 27" deep with another 3/4" for the acrylic. Add in the eurobrace and it's a pain to reach down to the bottom near the glass/acrylic. I use the grabbers and they are ok. Its custom and i wish I had gone 24".

I'm 5'10" and I gotta get my forehead wear on occasion

My next tank will definitely be 8' or 10' long, 3 - 4' wide and 24" deep.

 

[Mark Gray]

I had a deep tank one time, I won't ever again. They are a pain to clean, and if something falls to the bottom you have to go swimming to get it out. Good luck

 

[Terry Le]

My is 96" x 36" x 24" H. My fish love the length and the 3 feet front and back

 

[Bruce Burnett]

Length as long as you have room for.
Front to back as much as you have room for.
Height depends on front to back 24 front to back 30 inches tall but 30-36 inches front to back would not go over 24 inches tall.