Tank Height?
- Thread starter Johnd651
- Start date
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betareef
Active Member
Less is better. Too deep (tank height) and you will struggle more with tank maintenance. You will also need to spend more on lighting. Deepest I ever had is 18"" and that is as deep as I would want it. I see a trend to more shallow tanks and I think they look good.
betareef
Active Member
What concerns you about that? Most fish I see being kept are more concerned about structure, hiding places, suitable environment for their feeding/sleeping habits etc. Fish that swim fast and quickly prefer a nice long tank. Shy fish prefer plenty of cover and somewhere to get away from the front of the tank where people walk past. I can't think of many (any?) that need depth specifically.
Reefering1
2500 Club Member
Shorter is definitely easier to work in, taller looks better and my tangs seem to like the 12-20" of open water above rocks. I dream to fill that space in with coral growth. That said, I have a 76" arm span and can barely reach the bottom from the 2nd step of ladder. Once set up, you shouldn't have to be digging around in there much- but the beauty of a tall tank is forever
sawdonkey
Valuable Member
Do you like getting your armpits wet when working on your tank? I had a 3 for years and the viewing pane is wonderful, but working on it was a pain. I have a 24 now and it’s so much easier.
Joekovar
Active Member
My rule of thumb is to hang my arm over a piece of plywood, with the plywood up in my armpit as far as is comfortable, and draw a mark on the plywood. Then measure from the plywood edge that was in my armpit to the mark, and limit the tank height to that measurement or less.
If I can't comfortably get to everything in it, I'm less likely to take care of it.
If I can't comfortably get to everything in it, I'm less likely to take care of it.
cilyjr
Valuable Member
My tank is 30 inches deep. And 36 inches front to back. I'm 6 foot 2 I cannot reach the middle back bottom without literally laying on the tank.
Go less than 30 and try to go wider front to back.
Go less than 30 and try to go wider front to back.
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Johnd651
Getting back in after 10+ years
Thanks all. I think I need to just make a cardboard mockup at this point. My length is set at 72", but I want max volume which is where width and height come in. I was thinking 24" wide, but maybe I "flip" the tank on its and do 30" wide and 24" high?
Setting up an 84x30x24 now. I had a 29" 150g a few years ago but won't go that tall again. Its just too hard for me to work in.
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Johnd651
Getting back in after 10+ years
That side shot answers all my questions. Thanks @exnisstech
3/7/24
Rockscape ver 1.0 The rest will be all live rock and corals.
My helper
And so it begins.
Added a big live rock thats been soaking for a few years. Power heads are running so we have flow and I added a heater. Also added 20ml microbactor 7. Total volume at this point is 90 gallons. Making more water now. Till next time
I still have my 180g 72x24x24 running in the same room. That extra 6" of width makes a huge difference and makes the 180 look small. I want the fish to be able to swim all the way around the rocks front and back in the new tank. In my 180 rocks are piled up against the back.
