Trying to decide on a new tank

mccune · Jul 22, 2020

I am in the process of planning a tank upgrade. Over the past few years I’ve picked up a few big tanks but ended up selling before I set them up for one reason or another. I got the green light from my wife to get a new tank this fall or early winter and I am trying to plan it out but I am having a hard time deciding what tank to go with.
I am looking at

Red Sea reefer xxl 900
79x25.6x25.6

Waterbox reef pro 220.6
72x25x25

Waterbox peninsula 7225
72x25x25

Planet aquariums Matrix
60x30x30

Planet aquariums Matrix
72x30x30

Both planet tanks have top braces but I would run a canopy with both of those tanks.
I am having a really hard time deciding right now which way to go. Both the Red Sea and Waterbox I would go with a white stand. The planet aquariums tanks I would get a grey stand and canopy.
For the build I am looking to keep a few big angels with some SPS, torches, hammer, frogspawn, rock flowers, maxi mini, and maybe a carpet anemone.

Chime in with your thoughts about these tanks.

Fred2482 · Jul 22, 2020

I recently replaced an 80 gallon planet with a Waterbox 220.6 (white cabinet) and I love it!

SoggyNW · Jul 22, 2020

I don't think you can go wrong with anything on that list. A buddy in town had a redsea XXL 750 and it was stunning. The rimless bracelets designs are gorgeous. But you will need a lid of some sort to prevent carpet surfing.

mccune · Jul 22, 2020

Ya I plan on running a cover over any tank I get even if it has a canopy

mccune · Jul 23, 2020

Another idea I just thought of would be to get a Waterbox clear 220.6 and have it drilled for a reef Savy or synergy reef overflow

92Miata · Jul 23, 2020

Just purely on dimensions, I'd go for the 72x30x30. I think if you're planning on big fish (and Big Angels could be anything size-wise), 5 feet is too short, and the 30 inches front-to-back is going to get you significantly more aquascaping area/swimming area. I think the extra 4-6 inches front to back is more important than the extra 7 inches in length that the 900 has.

At the sizes you're looking though - I'd take a hard look at the room you're putting it in, and a hard look at custom tanks. Tanks this big aren't really furniture anymore, they're architectural features - and sometimes a couple inches here or there makes a big difference in how they fit. Get some cardboard, or PVC and sheets/plastic, and mock it up so you can see how the dimensions fit the room. You may find that the 5 footer is great, and the 6 footers just look ridiculous. Or that the longer dimension on the red sea is really needed to balance something out.

Arabyps · Jul 23, 2020

I have a Waterbox peninsula and would not change. There are so many viewing angles with a peninsula format. For a cover I went with ClearView Lids Tsunami which they have programmed dimensions to fit Waterbox tanks perfectly. Tank is just finishing the BRS 4-month cycle. Soon ready for lights and coral.

Waterbox Aquariums · Jul 23, 2020

Arabyps said:
I have a Waterbox peninsula and would not change. There are so many viewing angles with a peninsula format. For a cover I went with ClearView Lids Tsunami which they have programmed dimensions to fit Waterbox tanks perfectly. Tank is just finishing the BRS 4-month cycle. Soon ready for lights and coral.

Your lid looks incredible!

SteveG_inDC · Jul 23, 2020

here to vote for 30" front to back. That's an underlooked dimension. I went with 72x30x25 high. Height is bad for shorter reefers.

waterskiguy · Jul 23, 2020

I vote 72x30x30. 30" tall is a little tall for some reef lights, but easily doable and well worth the 30" depth. My tank is 84x31x24 and I love it. If I could have it 36" depth, front to back, I'd do it in a heartbeat. It adds a whole new dimension to the tank that a lot of tanks now are lacking. It's so much more natural looking than the rock piled wall look that you're forced into with less depth. The height really isn't a consideration, other than light penetration and possibly sand bed depth.

SteveG_inDC · Jul 23, 2020

waterskiguy said:
The height really isn't a consideration, other than light penetration and possibly sand bed depth.

It matters for maintenance. Difference between reaching in and putting on the scuba gear!

JoshH · Jul 23, 2020

92Miata said:
At the sizes you're looking though - I'd take a hard look at the room you're putting it in, and a hard look at custom tanks. Tanks this big aren't really furniture anymore, they're architectural features - and sometimes a couple inches here or there makes a big difference in how they fit. Get some cardboard, or PVC and sheets/plastic, and mock it up so you can see how the dimensions fit the room. You may find that the 5 footer is great, and the 6 footers just look ridiculous. Or that the longer dimension on the red sea is really needed to balance something out.

Best Advice in this thread hands down.

waterskiguy · Jul 23, 2020

SteveG_inDC said:
It matters for maintenance. Difference between reaching in and putting on the scuba gear!

I can see where that would be an issue for some people. I have trouble reaching the bottom back corners of my tank without getting my whole arm wet. I have a hood on mine, so have no choice but to reach in from the front.

mccune · Jul 23, 2020

Thanks for all the comments so far. Gives me a lot to think about.
As far as big angels I’m taking about an emperor and a queen for sure and possibly a gold flake as well.
The tank is in my small finished section of basement so it will only be viewable from two sides no matter what I choose. The area the tank will be in is an unusable part of the basement because of the awkward shape and small size. I want the tank to take up a big chunk of the area and also be viewable from the couch on the other side of the basement.
keep the comments coming I really appreciate it.

AlgaeBarn · Jul 23, 2020

mccune said:
I am in the process of planning a tank upgrade. Over the past few years I’ve picked up a few big tanks but ended up selling before I set them up for one reason or another. I got the green light from my wife to get a new tank this fall or early winter and I am trying to plan it out but I am having a hard time deciding what tank to go with.
I am looking at

Red Sea reefer xxl 900
79x25.6x25.6

Waterbox reef pro 220.6
72x25x25

Waterbox peninsula 7225
72x25x25

Planet aquariums Matrix
60x30x30

Planet aquariums Matrix
72x30x30

Both planet tanks have top braces but I would run a canopy with both of those tanks.
I am having a really hard time deciding right now which way to go. Both the Red Sea and Waterbox I would go with a white stand. The planet aquariums tanks I would get a grey stand and canopy.
For the build I am looking to keep a few big angels with some SPS, torches, hammer, frogspawn, rock flowers, maxi mini, and maybe a carpet anemone.

Chime in with your thoughts about these tanks.