Whats a better shallow tank depth ??

twintrades · Mar 3, 2013

Im going to be making a shallow tank. Im trying to decide on what the depth should be....

Either 12" or 10"

From those who made shallow tanks before whats your opinion ? I know its only a diff of 2 inches. But i dont want to go 10 and wish i did 12..... So if you made one what would you do ?

And overflow.. whats better a centered overflow or a corner ? Im drilling thru the bottom if that makes a difference.

Thanks for reading and replying to those that will. Im just trying to get this right the first time!

revsgirl · Mar 4, 2013

:bump:

Me z · Mar 4, 2013

Depends on the lighting you are putting over the tank and how high you will suspend it. With a shallower tank you can get away with a lower wattage halide or fewer t5's just mount the light closer to the water. I would go with 10" deep with a couple 150w de radium bulbs you will get really good colors and decent growth.

reefjunky24 · Mar 4, 2013

I currently have a 12 inch depth tank but in reality the water level is about 10 inch, i can tell you that i do like it tho sometimes i wish i had the extra couple inches for different light corals but i adjust with different ways either way you can't go wrong IMO

Mike&Terry · Mar 4, 2013

reefjunky24 said:
I currently have a 12 inch depth tank but in reality the water level is about 10 inch, i can tell you that i do like it tho sometimes i wish i had the extra couple inches for different light corals but i adjust with different ways either way you can't go wrong IMO

Our smaller tank is 12" high as well and while we love the look, 2-3 more inches would allow for a bit more diversity.

twintrades · Mar 4, 2013

Im sorry i forgot to tell you that im lighting with a single par 38 fullspectrum bulb from reefbreeders. I talked on the phone with him and he said ill be great with the single bulb over the tank. Im planing on 120 deg optics because its so shallow. His par readings with that over the tank at sand bed were around 250.

So its sounding like 12" is whats more desirable....

reefjunky24 · Mar 4, 2013

that is what i would go with

twintrades · Mar 4, 2013

Well im going to try cutting the glass tonight or tomorrow. Im reusing a 30 breeder someone gave me with a weird Hole drilled in the middle of the tank off to the right side. so i know that the tank isnt made with a tempered bottom. I should be able to cut all the panels down to size. Whats nice is that i can drill my tank before i assemble it.

Id rather not cut the glass my self. But our local glass guy wont cut anything unless you buy the glass from him... And he wont drill holes larger than 1/4 inch. Guess he just dosnt want my money!

that novice guy · Mar 4, 2013

what would your tank demensions be and i would go with 12 inches with my overflow its around 11 inches of water

Zack · Mar 4, 2013

Love my 12 inch tank!!!

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twintrades · Mar 4, 2013

oK 12 it is!

Tank dimentions are going to be 18x18x12

that novice guy · Mar 4, 2013

Yrs you could do corner overflow and possibly use a 250w metal halide

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twintrades · Mar 5, 2013

Im not going with a MH Im sticking to a Par 38 bulb. If that's not enuf ill supplement with t-5 i have a 2 bulb fixture sitting here. I can take apart and use some SLR. I might build a suspended canopy if i have to do this. But im hoping to get enuf par with this light tho. I have heard great things. Plus with my rock layout i want i dont need to light the whole tank. Im going to do a single island and have it come out of the water. The return will be coming thru the rock work. I love that and always wanted it.

Brando457 · Mar 5, 2013

People are nuts you do not need a "couple 150 mh or a 250 mh" on a 12" deep tank unless you plan on mounting it 10 ft above the freaking thing.

Go with your plan if lighting its best all around

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Zack · Mar 5, 2013

Brando457 said:
People are nuts you do not need a "couple 150 mh or a 250 mh" on a 12" deep tank unless you plan on mounting it 10 ft above the freaking thing.

Go with your plan if lighting its best all around

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2

I have a 24x24x 12 sps-only and I have a 250 radium over it and mine is only 1 foot above the tank. No where near the "Ten" feet you say is required.

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twintrades · Mar 5, 2013

Whats your light spillage ? Or is most of your light centered in the tank ? Do you have to have a chiller? 250 over a 12" deep tank does sound overkill to me. Most people have those over a reg tank. Do you know your par value ?

Glenn · Mar 5, 2013

When I had my frag tank built (acrylic), I went large (6' x 3') but shallow (12") and put a hole in one end for the overflow. Return was via a spray-bar at the end that's opposite the overflow. I had three MP10's for flow and two 36" six-tube T5 lights (I don't do SPS) and had great luck in getting growth from my LPS and softies.

With a 12" depth, you can use less water if you want it shallower but you can't add water to a 10" tank if you want it deeper !!!

joeyhatch11 · Mar 5, 2013

I have 33L DT that's 48x12x12 and I love the look of the lenght and the height. Having a 10in high tank only filled to 8-9in would seem a little too shallow.

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twintrades · Mar 5, 2013

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/nano-reefs/111553-16-gallon-build.html

Thats a link to my Build thread. Im sticking with 12 inch. I figure my rock work will bring it up a ways and like you said Its hard to raise water line above the tank lol!