Custom tank sizes

[badgergoth]

Are there any tank sizes which are unworkable, i.e too thin, too tall etc?

I'm thinking about maximising my space and getting a 30" long x 15" deep x 20" tall tank built, instead of using a 24"x12"x12" tank I've got lying around ('cos then I can use the smaller one as a refugium if I can find room). I just wanted to check that no one will say "that size'll never work!".

Also, the tank will hold 38 gallons, so am I right in thinking that a single 150W MH will be enough for all but the most light hungry corals? Given that this'll be my first foray into salt water, I'll be starting with softies, but I'd like to keep SPS if I can keep the hardier ones happy.

Lastly, powerheads - if you had the choice, would you go for 4 small ones (bearing in mind that I don't want the tank to look like I'm keeping pet powerheads) or 2 bigger ones. Assume they'll be attached to a wavemaker.

Thanks,

B

(if I spend as much time looking after these corals as I have planning their home, the polyps will be lounging on sunbeds with a cool beer in their tentacles)

 

[Anonymous]

There is nothing impossible with tank size, but it is possible that the material is not the appropriate size (too thin to hold water, or too thick for it application). Usually it is not an issue unless the tank material was specificed by someone without any knowledge of material properties.

 

[ChrisRD]

Personally, if I were doing a mixed tank that size I'd do the 150 watt DE. If I were mostly interested in higher light SPS corals I'd go with a 250 watt DE.

As for the powerheads, I'd personally just stick with two higher output ones as opposed to several smaller ones (less to maintain).

JMO...

 

[badgergoth]

Thanks for all the help guys. Just one small question though - what is DE lighting?

 

[ChrisRD]

DE = double ended (sometimes incorrectly referred to as "HQI" in the hobby) lamps.

SE = single ended, or Mogul lamps.