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Advice from big tank owners 150+

H

harryk

I am currently in the planning stages of upgrading my 75 to a 150 or 180 not sure yet, but i have some questions and a little apprehension. I had dimensions in my mind and size that i want. I know i want 72" in length and 24" depth and the perfect height would be 20" which would make it 150g. The only problem is that this size only comes in acrylic which isn't really a problem because it's at the top of the list anyway. now the dilemma. I got quoted what i think is a great price on a new all-glass 180 RR which is 72x24x24 (180g) with the nicer stand (not pine). The tank is taller than i really wanted and i'm paranoid of splitting a seam in a glass tank that big. is it rational to be paranoid about splitting a seam? Tons of people have glass tanks that big with no issues. I wanted to stay in the 150 range and 30g doesn't seem that big a deal but i'm not sure. I checked out the 2 main acrylic tank manufacturers and the dimentions i want 72x24x20 is standard. At one the 150 72x24x20 RR is $1,071 and at the other the plain 72x24x20 is $1,105 plus freight ofcourse for both. I have to figure in the stand which i could build so that wouldn't cost me much at all. I could always go 125 which is 72x18x20 it has the length and height but too narrow for rockscaping IMO and not as big as i wanted. any insight or opinions with my dilemma from large tank owners would be appreciated. I have to make a decision very soon.

Thanks
Harry
 
B

Brian

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
FWIW

I have an acrylic 225g tank, I would stay away from acrylic if I were to buy another tank. It scratches VERY easily...and using a credit card to scrape off coralline algae just doesn't cut it. Even the plastic razor blades make it a chore. Unless of course, unlike me you can be diligent and clean your glass everyday to avoid any buildup. But this is just my opinion.

As far as the 180g goes, I wouldn't be worried about the seams splitting, 24" is a very common height on tanks. I think if you wanted to go higher than 30" then your concern would be warranted. I would get as big as your wallet/space allow...you'll be happier for it! :)

Hope that helps a little
 
RichT

RichT

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Go no less then 24" depth (front to back). I regret having only 18" everyday.
 
Phyl

Phyl

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
30" wide, starfire glass on 3 sides. 24" tall. I don't consider a 180 a big tank. It doesn't feel much bigger than my 120.
 
MikeNapoli

MikeNapoli

Phyl said:
30" wide, starfire glass on 3 sides. 24" tall. I don't consider a 180 a big tank. It doesn't feel much bigger than my 120.
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I think you just made my decision to go from a 120 to a 210 pretty easy. Thank you Phyl.
 
Phyl

Phyl

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Go with a 265, if it will fit, Mike. In no time the 210 is going to feel really small!

These are all stock sizes for most companies. They wouldn't mass produce them if they thought there was a propensity for failure. I think you'll find more people that have had catastrophic house fires from their tanks than folks who've had a seam split.

knocks on wood
 
H

harryk

Phyl said:
Go with a 265, if it will fit, Mike. In no time the 210 is going to feel really small!

These are all stock sizes for most companies. They wouldn't mass produce them if they thought there was a propensity for failure. I think you'll find more people that have had catastrophic house fires from their tanks than folks who've had a seam split.

knocks on wood
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I would have to agree with what you said, i've owned glass tanks my whole life with no issues but maybe i'm just paranoid as i get older. and besides the thought of lifting that 300lbs+ tank is making me lean towards acrylic but who knows. i have some thinking to do

thanks
Harry
 
J

jazzsam

I think no matter how big you go it will always seem smaller after time. I already want to upgrade but I think I will have to wait for my next house for that one.
 
MikeNapoli

MikeNapoli

I think the issue, as with most people, is the 29 or 30 inches high makes it impossible to reach things that are at the bottom.

How do you guys deal with reaching the bottom of the tank on your 30" deep tanks? My tank in 24 inches deep and I grab the tongs everytime something hits the bottom. But larger pieces or more delicate items(like open brains) are impossible to get with tongs.
 
H

harryk

NapoliNewJersey said:
I think the issue, as with most people, is the 29 or 30 inches high makes it impossible to reach things that are at the bottom.

How do you guys deal with reaching the bottom of the tank on your 30" deep tanks? My tank in 24 inches deep and I grab the tongs everytime something hits the bottom. But larger pieces or more delicate items(like open brains) are impossible to get with tongs.
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Thanks Mike,

That's my issue exactly. I guess having a deep sand bed 3-4 inches would make it more manageable. Any feedback would be great

thanks
Harry
 
Phyl

Phyl

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Jeff said 30" wide, not tall. A 30" wide by 24" tall by 8' tank would be beautiful dimensions. The aquascaping potention would be amazing.
 
MikeNapoli

MikeNapoli

Phyl said:
Jeff said 30" wide, not tall. A 30" wide by 24" tall by 8' tank would be beautiful dimensions. The aquascaping potention would be amazing.
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I saw that too. But I was in A.O. with Harry and we were talking about the 30" depth being an issue.

AGA doesn't make a 30" wide tank, at least not that I know of. He would have to go custom. A.O. has an amazing deal on an Oceanic 215 .. but the deapth is 30".

I think harry wants to know how you guys deal with 30" deapth because even with a 24" deapth it's hard to deal with getting to the bottom. (I would be interested in find out as well.)
 
B

Brian

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
NapoliNewJersey said:
How do you guys deal with reaching the bottom of the tank on your 30" deep tanks? My tank in 24 inches deep and I grab the tongs everytime something hits the bottom. But larger pieces or more delicate items(like open brains) are impossible to get with tongs.
Click to expand...

Roll up my sleeves and get soaking wet! Actually I have a pair of tongs that I use when I drop things on the bottom...it's still not easy though!
 
S

sinkingbeach

This is how people with tall tanks deal with cleaning it, hydraulic lift built into floor ;D ;D ;)

talfloorliftlarge.jpg
 
JohnS_323

JohnS_323

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Where the heck do you guys dig up these pictures from?!? That's awesome. Phyl, I have an idea for our dining room!

sinkingbeach said:
This is how people with tall tanks deal with cleaning it, hydraulic lift built into floor ;D ;D ;)

talfloorliftlarge.jpg
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