Tank width 18 vs 24

LbulletM · Mar 23, 2017

Has anyone had experience with both an 18" wide and a 24" wide tank? Did you prefer one over the other? Was the 24" really a lot more room in practice, or was it too wide to maintain easily?

Trying to decide between a 112 gallon or 150 gallon. Definitely want a 5 foot long tank and both fit the requirement. Wondering if the smaller volume, footprint, and easier water changes would be worth losing the 6 inches of tank width.

Maacc · Mar 23, 2017

I would definately go with the 24". I am currently trying for a 60x30x22. The extra width is valuable for flow and aquascape.

LbulletM · Mar 23, 2017

Maacc said:
I would definately go with the 24". I am currently trying for a 60x30x22. The extra width is valuable for flow and aquascape.

The aquascape flexibility and depth was definitely the only reason I would consider the wider tank.

ReeferMaddness843 · Mar 23, 2017

I'm getting rid of my 90 which is 18" and getting a shallow 80 (48x24x16) stand is built (almost) and pickup tank Tuesday at latest. So far, the 24" looks waaaaay bigger and I'm really liking the idea of being able to get that depth of view.

LbulletM · Mar 23, 2017

This forum is really good at spending my money.

ReeferMaddness843 · Mar 23, 2017

We try.

Peter Blue Reef · Mar 23, 2017

If you're looking to upgrade 5 years from now go with 24" now so you don't have to upgrade (spend $478,000,033 dollars on new equipment). Or just get 18" if you want to stay with that size. The height of your aquascape plays in as well.

LbulletM · Mar 23, 2017

Buck Sexton said:
If you're looking to upgrade 5 years from now go with 24" now so you don't have to upgrade (spend $478,000,033 dollars on new equipment). Or just get 18" if you want to stay with that size. The height of your aquascape plays in as well.

Probably wouldn't be upgrading from this one. But I'm also talking front to back, not top to bottom.

TonapahNorth · Mar 23, 2017

I went 60x32 on my base. It has presented some unique challenges for wide enough lighting (8 bulbs) and access to the back of the tank. But honestly, the footprint is the key to scaping, livestock happiness, and aesthtics imo. The differences in stocking can be much different by adding 50 gallons and just 6" of depth. Honestly, I wouldn't do an 18 again. I think 24 would make you happier long term. The improvement in many aspects of reef keeping can be achieved with minimal additional floor space.

Peter Blue Reef · Mar 23, 2017

I meant to say that the width of your tank will sumwhat determine the height of where your rocks end up. Pyramid and structure wise. I didn't go "too" high with my rocks in order to give my fish some open water to conduct patrolling operations in.

LbulletM · Mar 23, 2017

Looks like this turned into an easy decision!

RDA · Mar 23, 2017

I would really like a 24" tank, but settled on an 18" tank for now. Considering I am increasing my volume by 5 times, I think I'll be happy for a while. I really wanted to do a 180 but at the end of the day I had more important things to spend the money on and a 100 gallon was about half the cost, plus I had more equipment laying around for the 100. So for now, money and logic decided on the 100 gallon for me. I figure by time I'm ready for a 180 or possibly larger I'll be more in a place to by the tank and I can keep the 100 gallon as a back up to the 180. I definitely think the extra 6" make a difference in setting up the tank.

Finatik · Mar 23, 2017

If you have the space, I would definitely recommend going with the 24" width. Those extra 6 inches of real estate really make a BIG difference when it comes to aqua-scaping.
It's nice to have an ample amount of rock without having the rocks so close to, or touching the front or back walls of glass. This is the exact reason I decided to go with a 120 and 180 gallon.

Marlon2024 · Mar 23, 2017

ReeferMaddness843 said:
I'm getting rid of my 90 which is 18" and getting a shallow 80 (48x24x16) stand is built (almost) and pickup tank Tuesday at latest. So far, the 24" looks waaaaay bigger and I'm really liking the idea of being able to get that depth of view.

What tank are you getting? I ask because I am also getting the same size tank next week. Can you please show me pics of the stand, because I will also be building my own. Thanks

ReeferMaddness843 · Mar 23, 2017

Marlon2024 said:
What tank are you getting? I ask because I am also getting the same size tank next week. Can you please show me pics of the stand, because I will also be building my own. Thanks

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/seems-like-its-time-for-a-new-build.296244/

Ou8me2 · Mar 24, 2017

I would say the 24" is the best and most LED lights cover 24x24. For me personally, I don't like tall tanks and 20"is the max height in a tank. I think my new tank will be a 125-gallon with the dimensions of 72x24x17