Tank types

[mikey1958]

Is there a difference in anks for freshwater and tanks or saltwater? If so will a freshwater tank work as a reef tank

 

[RedoubtReef]

Specifically, no. Most of us running reef tanks prefer some sort of built in/attached overflow box whether internal or external. My wife's fish only tank from 20 years ago was just a standard 75 gallon tank with a canister filter. Can still be done today. Do you have a tank in mind that you are looking at?

 

[mikey1958]

Specifically, no. Most of us running reef tanks prefer some sort of built in/attached overflow box whether internal or external. My wife's fish only tank from 20 years ago was just a standard 75 gallon tank with a canister filter. Can still be done today. Do you have a tank in mind that you are looking at?

Well ,not exactly...I was told at the local fish store today that marine tanks use a thicker glass and most are tempered..After looking at tanks at another store marine tanks do seem to have thicker glass ...
Also in order to save a few dollars on start up I was considering a large cannisters filter

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Well ,not exactly...I was told at the local fish store today that marine tanks use a thicker glass and most are tempered..After looking at tanks at another store marine tanks do seem to have thicker glass ...
Also in order to save a few dollars on start up I was considering a large cannisters filter

I don't believe you need to worry about thicker glass. Look at aquarium masters reef ready. A 90 gal reef is only 50.oo more than the standard. Even if you want to go canister first, I would by a reef ready. You can plug the holes for now and change later to a sump. Will save you money in the long run

 

[liddojunior]

Well ,not exactly...I was told at the local fish store today that marine tanks use a thicker glass and most are tempered..After looking at tanks at another store marine tanks do seem to have thicker glass ...
Also in order to save a few dollars on start up I was considering a large cannisters filter

Isn’t tempered glass really bad? Can’t drill and they explode if they fail

 

[liddojunior]

The fish tanks are all the same. There’s no specifics for marine versus freshwater.
Large tanks are thicker in marine tend to me the rimless tanks and the freshwater rimless will be the same thickness.
The difference is when you buy tank/stand/filter bundles that they come with equipment that is more suited for freshwater or marine. Marine tank set ups tend to have overflows, plumbing and a sump. While freshwater tank set ups don’t have any of that and instead come with canister filters.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Isn’t tempered glass really bad? Can’t drill and they explode if they fail

It's not a bad thing, even the cheapest tank may have tempered glass on the front back or bottom. That is why buying one already drilled is best practice

 

[dedragon]

Also in order to save a few dollars on start up I was considering a large cannisters filter

Cannisters arent really a good option for saltwater aquariums. They are more annoying to change out mechanical filter media and a lot of reefers will change out mechanical media 2-3 times a week.

Isn’t tempered glass really bad? Can’t drill and they explode if they fail

Tempered is stronger than normal glass at the same thickness, i think

 

[RedoubtReef]

Well ,not exactly...I was told at the local fish store today that marine tanks use a thicker glass and most are tempered..After looking at tanks at another store marine tanks do seem to have thicker glass ...
Also in order to save a few dollars on start up I was considering a large cannisters filter

If that is what they said, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Figure out what your budget is and then go from there. Have you checked Craigslist? What size aquarium are you looking for?

 

[liddojunior]

Cannisters arent really a good option for saltwater aquariums. They are more annoying to change out mechanical filter media and a lot of reefers will change out mechanical media 2-3 times a week.

Tempered is stronger than normal glass at the same thickness, i think

yeah I know that, but it’s also wayy scarier if it fails. Like normal glass will leak and leak. But tempered is an actual disaster. I’ve seen those tanks explode before so I’m like scared of tempered and thought the hobby moved to just thicker glass or acrylic

 

[dedragon]

Large tanks are thicker in marine tend to me the rimless tanks and the freshwater rimless will be the same thickness.

This is most likely the reason. A lot of freshwater tanks are made with rims. Us reefers want a nice rimless tank, although we might put 2+ powerheads with cords sticking out of them, but no one said we were the smartest, just terrible with money.

 

[liddojunior]

This is most likely the reason. A lot of freshwater tanks are made with rims. Us reefers want a nice rimless tank, although we might put 2+ powerheads with cords sticking out of them, but no one said we were the smartest, just terrible with money.

I’m mainly freshwater and only get rimless tanks. I think rimless is just harder to find in freshwater stores. Freshwater basically has ADA or UNS as options while marine has many rimless options

 

[Cichlid Dad]

yeah I know that, but it’s also wayy scarier if it fails. Like normal glass will leak and leak. But tempered is an actual disaster. I’ve seen those tanks explode before so I’m like scared of tempered and thought the hobby moved to just thicker glass or acrylic

A tank that leaks and leaks have the seals going bad, not broken glass. A tank will "explode" whether tempered or not, except non tempered will shard and cut, but still can explode

 

[dedragon]

Never seen a tank explode before but im almost sure it would be from impact more than anything. If it is stronger than it is more likely the non tempered will crack well before a tempered glass tank will shatter. But all glass will break on strong enough impact.

Freshwater basically has ADA or UNS as options while marine has many rimless options

I think freshwater in general is more budget friendly so it makes more sense that less companies make rimless, it is just higher cost. Freshwater tanks can easily use a sump though and when I run my next discus/tetra tank i will probably go this route anyway.

 

[dedragon]

A tank that leaks and leaks have the seals going bad, not broken glass. A tank will "explode" whether tempered or not, except non tempered will shard and cut, but still can explode

That is what i was thinking, I have seen tanks blow a seem but not just explode

 

[mikey1958]

If that is what they said, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Figure out what your budget is and then go from there. Have you checked Craigslist? What size aquarium are you looking for?

I would like to have a 75 or 100..I am kinda Leary of used anks especially if they are dry

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I would like to have a 75 or 100..I am kinda Leary of used anks especially if they are dry

I have both 75 and 90. Both are 48x 18 foot print. I enjoy the 90 much more do to the height. It's just a few inches but makes a wild of difference

 

[mikey1958]

That is what i was thinking, I have seen tanks blow a seem but not just explode

I saw one explode once.? It was during my college days and we were drinking and throwing darts down a short hallway and across a bedroom...one missed and stuck the tank..I went in the tank but didnt crack it...we lowered the water level,silicones up the hole...Next day the whole front just exploded

 

[dedragon]

Yea but that is impact and definitely your guys fault lol. I meant explode with no outside force, just sitting there one second and exploding the next.

...were you the one that threw the dart?

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Yea but that is impact and definitely your guys fault lol. I meant explode with no outside force, just sitting there one second and exploding the next.

...were you the one that threw the dart?

In most cases of spontaneous explosion, it is the stand the tank is on not being level and or uneven. Or someone carried the tank when it had weight in it.