What kind of tank? (bow/corner/traditional)

[Anonymous]

It started as fish-only, and quickly went to FOWLR.. we added an invert here and there, and a couple of minor things. After taking a trip to the LFS and seeing the living art that was a full blown reef-tank, my husband has finally "given in" and said we need to get a bigger tank

So I have a couple of questions and I'd love to hear your suggestions. He wants a corner tank - the small tank we have now sits in the corner of the room, and he would really like to keep a tank there - it does brighten things up. What are some of the cons of a corner tank (the biggest pro being aesthetics)? Would a bow front be better? Would I be better served if I forego either and try to find a place to put a traditional tank?

As I plan on housing a few corals (likely the so called "easier" softies) I do plan on providing both florescent as well as halide lighting, a sump, and refugium - size I can't determine until I know what we're getting

Thank you!

_mary_

 

[Anonymous]

(Anything *but* a bow front! It will be a PITA to scrape the algae off!)

Howabout a Hexagon or a Pentagonal tank? Or a big cube? I like cube 'cause you can just put a hot metal halide on the middle...

 

[Anonymous]

Lighting was one of my main concerns... the corner tank is for all intents and purposes, a big triangle with a bowed front... I didn't even think about algae :?

A cube would be pretty interesting, though... I need to take a better look at something like that Thanks LOULE!!

 

[nice1bruva]

Lighting was one of my main concerns... the corner tank is for all intents and purposes, a big triangle with a bowed front... I didn't even think about algae :?

works for me and the overall effect can look stunning.
my tanks a little young at the moment but not too bad for 9 months old.

 

[nice1bruva]

some of my fist tries at keeping sps corals

 

[Anonymous]

Look very nice!

(critics:
1, the _Stylophora_ looks a bit bleached... it is just very light brown, or it is transparent that show the white skeleton below?

2, the side view photo is another reason I try to stay away from bowfront... it makes my eyes cross 8O

I have to admit that of all the tank shape, bowfront is one of the most elegant ones.
)

 

[johns]

I have a related tank shape/lighting question.

Does anyone know if you can fit 2 twin-tube or triple tube strip light on a 72 bow tank? Or is it better off going for a standard 75 tank to fit this type of lighting? I didnt know if the bow would limit things?

johns

 

[nice1bruva]

Look very nice!

(critics:
1, the _Stylophora_ looks a bit bleached... it is just very light brown, or it is transparent that show the white skeleton below?

it was like that at my LFS he assured me it's not bleached it just has very tiny white 'fur' tipped with bright pink and has stayed exactly that way for over a month now. looks awesome in the flesh.
the coral was my target when i started planning the tank a year ago as was the common clown and the regal tang.(which was what started me in this hobby the first time (pre-divorce 7 years ago).now everyone who see's the tank thinks im on a 'finding nemo trip'
:evil:

2, the side view photo is another reason I try to stay away from bowfront... it makes my eyes cross 8O

i see your point with this but, only when your real close do you get cross-eyed.really close pic's can be hard work too!!

I have to admit that of all the tank shape, bowfront is one of the most elegant ones.

bow ronted corner tanks have no joins that you can see and tend to make the tank much easier to aquascape as the depth from front to back is 34 inches accross the middle (front centre to back corner)
i had a typical 3x2x2 the first time i set up a reef and i'm much more pleased with the general asthetics of this tank.

)

here's some other pics.