Tank Size Question

[Brew12]

I currently have a 120g, 72"x18"x20" aquarium. My fish are growing much faster than expected and I want a system with more depth than the 18" can offer. I feel like my Tangs need more open water to swim in and the rock work gets close to the glass.

Which would be more fish friendly. A 180g, 72"x24"x25" or a 195g, 60"x30"x25"?

The larger fish in my system are as follows.
Hippo Tang
Kole Tang
Convict Tang
Yellow Tang
Magnificent Foxface

Thanks!

 

[Florida Sunshine]

I would stick with the 6ft length. Tangs want to just swim and swim.

 

[Antics]

I'd go with the 6 ft tank personally. Assuming you're looking for a mass produced tank you might consider Marinelands 265 which would give you another foot in length on top of the 180.

 

[Brew12]

I would stick with the 6ft length. Tangs want to just swim and swim.

I'd go with the 6 ft tank personally. Assuming you're looking for a mass produced tank you might consider Marinelands 265 which would give you another foot in length on top of the 180.

I assumed the 6' tank would be better but wanted more opinions.

Unfortunately, I am a bit constrained for space in my office. A 5' tank would fit better but the 6' tank would work up to the 25" depth. Anything past that and I'm not sure I could reach where I would need to for maintenance or I would love a 240g wide.

Not sure where I will get the tank from, but I am leaning toward a custom route so I can use a synergy overflow.

 

[Antics]

Well you can always just buy the non drilled version of the 180 and add the synergy overflow yourself.

 

[iemsparticus]

I assumed the 6' tank would be better but wanted more opinions.

Unfortunately, I am a bit constrained for space in my office. A 5' tank would fit better but the 6' tank would work up to the 25" depth. Anything past that and I'm not sure I could reach where I would need to for maintenance or I would love a 240g wide.

Not sure where I will get the tank from, but I am leaning toward a custom route so I can use a synergy overflow.

I had a great experience ordering from Glass Cages, for what it's worth.

 

[PatW]

Like everyone else, I vote for length. As far as dimensions go, length is best, width is next and depth is last. Big tangs are often happy in shallow frag tanks that have big length and width.

 

[Oceanwave45]

Don't go deeper - trust me it's a pain to clean and it's hard to reach the bottom also can make a mess during water changes - go long

 

[Brew12]

Don't go deeper - trust me it's a pain to clean and it's hard to reach the bottom also can make a mess during water changes - go long

I won't get any tank more than 25" deep. I do love the 20" depth of my current tank so I may go that route. I need to do some measuring and see if I could make a 72"x30"x20" work. I doubt it but....

 

[Oceanwave45]

I won't get any tank more than 25" deep. I do love the 20" depth of my current tank so I may go that route. I need to do some measuring and see if I could make a 72"x30"x20" work. I doubt it but....

I can't wait to see it! I am sure it will look amazing... My tank is 24 inch deep and Im sorry I went that deep... Its a pain to clean and move corals around! After I am done cleaning and placing a new coral I am completely wet! Its just I might as well jump in! HA! ;Bored

 

[Brew12]

I can't wait to see it! I am sure it will look amazing... My tank is 24 inch deep and Im sorry I went that deep... Its a pain to clean and move corals around! After I am done cleaning and placing a new coral I am completely wet! Its just I might as well jump in! HA! ;Bored

My plan is to get everything so I can change it over when I take a week off around Christmas. Just starting my planning and picking up everything I will need. I rushed this first tank and want to do my replacement right.

I can't imagine why anyone would want a 28" or deeper tank!

 

[Oceanwave45]

My plan is to get everything so I can change it over when I take a week off around Christmas. Just starting my planning and picking up everything I will need. I rushed this first tank and want to do my replacement right.

Well I am glad you have a plan of action... I rushed into my tank too.. I am paying the price now! But I am sure it will all work out in the end for both of us!

 

[Brew12]

Well I am glad you have a plan of action... I rushed into my tank too.. I am paying the price now! But I am sure it will all work out in the end for both of us!

I've learned so much from this tank that I have no regrets. It's just time for my "big boy" tank.

 

[4FordFamily]

180 is a great size. At one point I had two 180 and a 125.

If the fish were the only consideration, 72" all day!

 

[Brew12]

180 is a great size. At one point I had two 180 and a 125.

If the fish were the only consideration, 72" all day!

Nice to know my gut feel is correct. I just need to decide if I have the room for a 240g and still have room to work on it.

 

[4FordFamily]

Nice to know my gut feel is correct. I just need to decide if I have the room for a 240g and still have room to work on it.

Go big or go home!

My family motto was always "Anything worth doing is worth overdoing."

 

[eatbreakfast]

I will dissent with everyone else. The front-to-back depth is super important. It allows a lot more options for aquascaping, breaking up sight lines of possible fish, but also makes a more interesting aquascape.

 

[Brew12]

I will dissent with everyone else. The front-to-back depth is super important. It allows a lot more options for aquascaping, breaking up sight lines of possible fish, but also makes a more interesting aquascape.

The front to back depth is exactly what I don't like about my current system. At 18" there just isn't any. Going to 25" gives me a lot more options. I'd love to go up to 30" but that brings in other issues unless I reduce the length of the tank to give more room to work on the sides.

 

[eatbreakfast]

The front to back depth is exactly what I don't like about my current system. At 18" there just isn't any. Going to 25" gives me a lot more options. I'd love to go up to 30" but that brings in other issues unless I reduce the length of the tank to give more room to work on the sides.

To me, a 2:1 length to depth ratio is very pleasing to look at, aquascape, and gives fish room to move(moreso than just pace), so the 60" length and 30" depth was great.

 

[Brew12]

I've given all of the input from this thread a lot of thought. I've decided that the best tank for me will have to be a custom build. It may be jumping the gun a little bit, but I have asked for quotes on a 72"x30"x22" drilled for a synergy overflow. It is pushing my available space but I hope I can make it work.