Shallow vs Deep

[Saltwatertaylor]

I would like to get a debate on whether a shallow reef or deeper reef tank is better?
Advantages and disadvantages on both?

I personally like the shallow reefs better. Light can get to the corals much better. They are way easier to move around corals and/or adjust their position. Having a shallow tank makes it much easier to clean it.

 

[wysiwyg]

i personally like my deeper tank just for the fact its alot taller and can cover the tank from top to botttom with corals

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

What would you classify as shallow or deep?

Honestly, I like both and I am planning on incorporating this in my next build.

I love the love of deep tanks that look like caves for nonphotosynthetic tanks. I also love shallow tanks to replicate tidal pools for more light demanding tanks.

 

[Saltwatertaylor]

i personally like my deeper tank just for the fact its alot taller and can cover the tank from top to botttom with corals

I also do like the look of those as well! The tank I am rebuilding is a deeper one with caves as well!
The shallow tanks with the different islands are my favorite though, even though I do love the deeper ones with the caves!

 

[Saltwatertaylor]

What would you classify as shallow or deep?

Honestly, I like both and I am planning on incorporating this in my next build.

I love the love of deep tanks that look like caves for nonphotosynthetic tanks. I also love shallow tanks to replicate tidal pools for more light demanding tanks.

Hmm, I dont really know what the cutoff is from a deep and a shallow. Use your imagination I guess

 

[wysiwyg]

i have 4 caves and 2 ledges in my dt

 

[Saltwatertaylor]

Very nice! Can we get a FTS?

 

[Sasquatch]

I like shallow, current tank is 12'' deep 34 x36, 2 24'' vho's, easy peasy

 

[Steelerfan747]

Not sure what you mean by shallow or deep. I consider 30" or more to be deep and very hard to reach corals or clean. I consider 18" or less to be shallow and while it certainly is easier to reach and clean, you are limited to the amount of coral height you can obtain. I personally like the 22"-25" range and it's what I have always had.

 

[Saltwatertaylor]

Yeah, I guess I would consider deep where you cant reach the corals without having trouble lol!

 

[EcoFrags]

72' x 24' x 24' is perfect size for me...180g allows rocks to make shallow spots and no rocks for deeper areas...FTS coming soon =)

 

[Tinola]

Shallow reefs are cheaper to light because they're shallow. Less water depth for the light to penetrate. Also, you can keep high light corals ie. sps on the aquarium floor with cheaper lights. Idk if that made sense.

I think deep tanks are better for SPS though. Looks better, but that's just me.

 

[macawmagic]

I like shallow tanks because a shallow tank with the same ammount of water as a deep tank has much more room for corals. Hence my neighbors 425. 11'x30"x25" He initially wanted a 375 that was 8'x30"x30" but I talked him into a little more water and a lot more tank!

 

[capt85]

I think deeper (shallower) tanks are easier for reefs and give a great sense of depth.

But having a tall tank gives you more overall room and aquascaping options. My future/longterm build is a 220 and I think they look great done but are a PAIN to reach the bottom. I am 6'2 and it is still difficult to reach the bottom with it empty.

 

[Saltwatertaylor]

I agree! If the tank is shallower you can have much more corals with cheaper lighting, but you lose a little bit of the aquascape possibilities!

 

[WesF]

Small tanks I like shallow.

Big tanks I like deep. Once you get to a certain length a shallow tank looks too short...especially when doing an in-wall tank. A long flattened rectangle would look weird.

 

[maroun.c]

I think the overall ratio of the tan itself (Length width and depth) has the deciding factor.
While a shallow 14 inch high 3 foot tank might look nice a 7 foot tank at 14 inch would look totally ridiculous.
ease of access has its share but then you only struggle with it while placing your corals in. I prefer a deeper tank as it limits me moving things around on daily basis.
estheticws wise, think of it as a painting on your wall most people would place it with it's middle at eye level (60-64 inches height) so with most stands at 40 inches high the tank has to be very deep from an architectural point of view to fit. you can go a bit lower if it's mostly viewed while seated. lots of things go into effect in standard tank dimensions like the rule of thirds andmatching tank height with surrounding furniture or room height for a pleasing visual perspective.

 

[Giancarlo]

I love the look of shallow tanks, my current display is 46 x 36 x 14. I dig the 14 inches in height, but it is really frustrating at times when dealing with placement. All spots have high par levels, so placement becomes very important when deciding things. Even trying to acclimate things to lighting is an issue. Next tank I think I would do close to double the height, but still incorporate a low style of aquascaping.

 

[slapshot]

Mine is 32 inches deep. It's built into the wall so that depth looks better IMO. Only downside is I use 400 watt lights and it's a ***** to clean the last inch.

 

[VelasCorals]

Mine is 32 inches deep. It's built into the wall so that depth looks better IMO. Only downside is I use 400 watt lights and it's a ***** to clean the last inch.

Mine is also 32" deep. That last inch makes me want to get a new tank sometimes. Lots of bruises in the armpit.