Top clearance?

[Robbbadd]

I’m building an in wall 120, and I will only have access to the front of the tank ( it’s my inky and best location for the build... my entire height is 66 inches, and the 120 is 21 inches tall...

my question is, how much clearance do i need at the top to be comfortable enough to service the tank...I want to build my stand as tall as possible, but leave myself enough room at the top...
I was hoping for 16 inches at the top, that would leave me plenty of room to hang my lights and adjust them if needed ( the lights will be built with a pulley to move out of the way for access..

is 16 inches enough head room? That would leave me with a height stand of 29 inches.

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

Where’s your filtration going? Under tank or plumbed to different room?

 

[Robbbadd]

Under for now. I have a eshopps s-200 skimmer which will be my tallest piece of equipment under... I need at 25 inches of height to be able to remove the cup

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

The have to find a happy medium. To much space on top might not look aesthetically pleasing, but not enough room will be a maintenance nightmare.

Visualize aquascaping. Putting rocks in or moving around. Or needing to bend half way into your tank tremove dead fish, or clean edges (or back) of tank.

Can your arms reach from standing in front to most of the tank?

I had a tall 180 gallon, 6.5ft. I thought it was so cool (when I bought it). Then the ladder came into play every time I had to access the tank.