Planning a future tank. Size recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Someday in the future, I want to set up a large reef tank. I now have a very crowded 55. I want something bigger.

I was in one of the LFS yesterday and looked at a 155 bowfront and a 180 standard. Both were drilled and had overflows in the corners. I liked the look of both. Let's not let price be the biggest factor right now. Which of the two would you folks recommend?

Thanks.

 

[fishfarmer]

I saw a 155 bowfront and I think a 175 bowfront this weekend at Tropic Isle. I think both were 6' long. How long is the 180?

I currently maintain a 120 6' tank and wish it had a little more front to back space. I really liked the size of the 155 I saw, the 175 seemed too deep for my tastes. I prefer a long tank over a wide one and relatively shallow. My arms are only so long :wink: .

I would also consider where you're planning on putting your equipment. Under tank or another room? My 120 stand is VERY tight with two little giant pumps, amiracle sump and skimmer.

 

[King Jason]

I bought the biggest one I could fit in my house. That way I don't think of upgrading till I buy a new house!

Like the commercial says, "Go big or go home!"

 

[King Jason]

I also won't go deeper then ~24"....I don't want to put on a mask and snorkel to pull out some hair algae on the sand bed.

 

[EmilyB]

I have a 155g bowfront. I would get something wider. I just immediately fell in love with my 120g which is wider. Wide is good. Long is good too. But wide and long is better. :lol:

 

[SPC]

Tell us how you really feel Em :lol: .

I like the size of my 180 Moe, 6 x 2 x 2
Steve

 

[Anonymous]

Em is right, and I want wide for my next tank. I'm thinking 30". Maybe even 36". We'll see. I would like to have my rockwork in the center of the tank with a sandbed all the way around. Clams everywhere! No more rock pile against the back wall either. Fish can swim all around. I'm also thinking of leaving the back wall clear see it can be viewed from both side. It's gotta be better this way, provided you have room for a wide tank.

Man I can't wait! Gotta stop thinking about it. :wink:

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

:lol: I know what you mean Louey.

I think I'll have to win the lottery to accomplish everything I want for the "future tank."

 

[girodave]

I just set up a 180 that is 72"x24"x24" I love it. I had it built with one overflow in the center. I like the rock to build out towards the front on the sides.

But, the tank I wish I could have had, is a tank that would seperate two rooms or extend a hall way. My friend has a 200gal tank with the overflow on the sort side, that way he could stack the rock in the middle and you could have a view from three sides. Its rough size is 60"x40"x24".

I couldn't do it because my house didn't have a place for a tank like that. My tank is built into a cabinet the is ten feet wide by 7 feet tall. I am tall and hate having to bend down to look at my tank, so I have the bottom of the tank at 42" off the floor.

Ok, now my advise, for what it is worth. A tank done right is a tank that looks good in the house. I have seen so many beautiful tanks that look like crap because of the stand or where it is placed. I would keep this in mind when deciding.

Dave

 

[Garry thomas]

Remember that film back in the 80's crocadile dundee?.......the was one scene were a mugger pulled out a knife! and dundee said! you call that a knife? this is what you call a knife as he pulls out a bigger one. do you see where i'm going? I agree with jason get the biggest you can possibly fit. The definition of the word large is infinate? without sounding cocky my sump is bigger than most so called large tanks over there.7ft x2 ft x1.6ft and being honest with you, when my tank was built it was going to be the ultimate for me, but not any more. There are lots of things i have realised since that day, when the stench of silicone filled the air, and 2 knackered scots men stopped drinking tea. big is never big enough! I'm now trying to convince the long suffering wife, how beneficial a larger sump in the garage would be.

 

[P.E.Meredith]

30 '' deep is the way to go, unless you are a shorty, then you might have some problems

 

[kevinpo]

IMO a 24" wide tank is the minimum for nice aquascaping (mine is 44" wide). Depth is really a matter of how big a PITA you want. Mine is 33.25" but my next one will only be 30". Length, I agree with others who said as big as you can fit. Just remember tanks over 300 gals are a quite different animal in many aspects.

HTH,
Kevin
PS: With the odd shaped tanks be sure to consider how you will light them in advance if you're planning corals.

 

[aquarist=broke]

from the For Sale forum..... :lol:

 

[King Jason]

I'll take it!

 

[howman1]

hey moe
happy new year
my 180g tank is finally set up, with a 90g sump and 35g refugium, i put lots of time and effort into it.......you should come over and check it out, i live in newton

you can get some great ideas from it, i broke through a wall, and the sump/refugium are in a different room

as a bonus, you can view another brs member's setups at my house

howman

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Howard,
I'd like to swing on by and check it out. Sounds like quite a project. That's what I'm looking for.

BTW; Have you considered volunteering for the tank tour on 18 Jan 2003 when Calfo & Borneman are in town? Might be fun.

 

[howman1]

hey moe
what tank tour? i just came back from a trip
let's try and find a good time for you to come by --i even set up the durso pipe!

send me your email,
howard

 

[LA-Lawman]

my belief is to buy the biggest you can afford.......

my next one is a 500g. I have got a nest egg building allready. When i buy my next home. it will have to accomodate the tank!!!!



he he he he he