Tank width 18 vs 24

[Peanut]

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.

I have exactly that tank...5 foot by 18. I definitely wish it was 24

 

[LbulletM]

Yes, for the most part. Mine came off pretty easy. I also drilled return holes in the back glass. I don't have a canopy and don't like the look of plumbing over the top.

The v2 comes with four holes, so I should be able to run a herbie and two returns.

 

[Syntax1235]

I have regretted buying my 125 since I bought it 3 years ago. I even received advice to go with the 180 from others but the 125 looked huge compared to my 29.

 

[CarrieB]

I have the SCA 66. I had to do many upgrades to it. They are inexpensive and there is a reason. The seams seem ok but the back glass is covered with black vynil sticker instead of paint.
Good luck

Why do you dislike the vinyl on the back? I used window tinting on my tank and it worked great.

 

[McGarnicle]

I originally had a 75g, then purchased a 90g, but before I put water in it I went out and picked up a 120g. 24in makes a huge difference especially when it comes to aquascaping.

 

[acer]

If you look at my built with a canopy I have 3 holes drilled in the back of the aquarium= 3 x 1.5 inches. it sounds like your option is to have four = V2 option. Then I am using a internal overflow box ( 48 inches long with a smooth weir x 6 inches deep and 2 inches front to back) ) and then a External ( 42 long x 5 front to back x 8 deep) - I drilled the External overflow box with 3 holes to connect it to the tank and internal overflow box via three 1.5 inch bulkheads plus drilled 3 drains (2 x 1 inch and 1 x 1.5 inch) in the bottom of it . I run the return hoses from the sump on the side of the external overflow box , into the back of the canopy, and then over the internal overflow box - then split it with one spray nozzle going low shooting across toward the back middle of the tank and one high enough that it breaks any possibility of a reverse siphon quickly. I am not a big fan of using bulkheads and drilling tank/overflows for return hoses- just me , but I think the possibilities for leaks, reverse siphon,etc. does not out weight the improved looks. I would drill another drain in the external overflow if I was to redo my setup so it would have 4 drains ( 2 x 1 inch and 2 x 1.5 inch). the tank is dead silent, but I am using both 1 inch drains ( one of them is controlled by a valve) and the 1.5 inch is left open for emergency.

 

[imustbenuts]

Why do you dislike the vinyl on the back? I used window tinting on my tank and it worked great.

I could see bubbles in the vynil and they didn't cover the entire back.

 

[LbulletM]

I have regretted buying my 125 since I bought it 3 years ago. I even received advice to go with the 180 from others but the 125 looked huge compared to my 29.

I'm coming from a 29 also!

 

[LbulletM]

If you look at my built with a canopy I have 3 holes drilled in the back of the aquarium= 3 x 1.5 inches. it sounds like your option is to have four = V2 option. Then I am using a internal overflow box ( 48 inches long with a smooth weir x 6 inches deep and 2 inches front to back) ) and then a External ( 42 long x 5 front to back x 8 deep) - I drilled the External overflow box with 3 holes to connect it to the tank and internal overflow box via three 1.5 inch bulkheads plus drilled 3 drains (2 x 1 inch and 1 x 1.5 inch) in the bottom of it . I run the return hoses from the sump on the side of the external overflow box , into the back of the canopy, and then over the internal overflow box - then split it with one spray nozzle going low shooting across toward the back middle of the tank and one high enough that it breaks any possibility of a reverse siphon quickly. I am not a big fan of using bulkheads and drilling tank/overflows for return hoses- just me , but I think the possibilities for leaks, reverse siphon,etc. does not out weight the improved looks. I would drill another drain in the external overflow if I was to redo my setup so it would have 4 drains ( 2 x 1 inch and 2 x 1.5 inch). the tank is dead silent, but I am using both 1 inch drains ( one of them is controlled by a valve) and the 1.5 inch is left open for emergency.

I won't have a canopy, so over the rim plumbing is a no for me. I'm still pretty green on this (just in the planning stages, I just got my 29 gallon in November!), but thinking about it more, I'm guessing the returns are actually in the Synergy, not the tank? All I know is it's drilled for a Synergy haha. I didn't want the center column.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Just got my new tank today. Will hopefully be up and running by Wednesday. The 24" is a world of difference and going to be a lot more fun to scape I think.

 

[imustbenuts]

I won't have a canopy, so over the rim plumbing is a no for me. I'm still pretty green on this (just in the planning stages, I just got my 29 gallon in November!), but thinking about it more, I'm guessing the returns are actually in the Synergy, not the tank? All I know is it's drilled for a Synergy haha. I didn't want the center column.

Typically, a synergy reef overflow has 3 drain holes and no return holes. The returns use separate bulkheads through the back glass.

 

[ReeferMadness80G]

Just got my new tank today. Will hopefully be up and running by Wednesday. The 24" is a world of difference and going to be a lot more fun to scape I think.

Love the dims of my DBP 80! It's 24 wide, haven't aquascaped yet, just got all the plumbing done. It's Broadfield inspired for those of you familiar with Toby's build.

 

[LbulletM]

Typically, a synergy reef overflow has 3 drain holes and no return holes. The returns use separate bulkheads through the back glass.

Heck, might be five holes then! Like I said, just starting researching hahaha.

 

[JadeM]

i actually have an 18 but currently transitioning to a 48 x24 x 18....24 alll the wayyy its a lot better for aquascaping, coral layout and fish swimming space....

 

[Klwheat]

I had my 180 "custom" made so I could have 5 holes in the oversized overflow. Running a bean animal overflow with 2 returns. Dead silent and I love it. Also, again, the 24" front to back is awesome!

 

[LbulletM]

I had my 180 "custom" made so I could have 5 holes in the oversized overflow. Running a bean animal overflow with 2 returns. Dead silent and I love it. Also, again, the 24" front to back is awesome!

That would be my ideal. Just have to figure out exactly what their v2 has and decide whether a bean is worth it to me over a herbie if I have to go custom.

 

[Klwheat]

I did quite a bit of research before ordering this tank. For me, the safety of the bean was worth it.

 

[LbulletM]

Typically, a synergy reef overflow has 3 drain holes and no return holes. The returns use separate bulkheads through the back glass.

Just solved the mystery. The Synergys have 2 holes for the pass through from the tank, but 3 holes in the bottom of the overflow for draining. Sooooo, 4 holes in the tank, but I can still run a Bean!

 

[nitro]

Refer Madness80g, who built that awesome sump?

 

[Bdog4u2]

My 150 is 18 deep and I hate it but I got it never used for free so hard to complain to much but I would like the xtra space for my humongous welso brain to stretch a little