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New Fish Tank

so i am thinking about buying a new fish tank as my main display. i think an odd size would compliment the room better and maybe be more efficient all the way around - the one we have to set us is 72x36x27. we had a 210 with 28" depth and we both hated it. it was very difficult to work on. i am thinking 27 and 28 aint much different. so we started looking at glasscages last night and she thinks we should go with 24, but im kind of inclined to go with 16 to 18. we could really get away with kessils on 16 to 18 even the radions or maybe ati stratons. im just thinking that these deep tanks pose a lighting issue and im also thinking 16-18 would really be so easy to work on. her argument is that the fish will not be comfortable even though the the number of gallons would only be 50 gallons less or maybe even just 1 gallon less. i disagree and think the wider tank gives the fish more swimming room across rather than up and down. what do you think?
 

MadReefer

Staff member
NJRC Member
Moderator
Being a short person I love the 16" depth; If I had a choice would have gone with 18". Tank was very generously given to me so no complaints but truly love the look and ease of maintenance.
 

amado

Dal
Staff member
Board of Directors
NJRC Member
I have a 220 that’s 30” deep and its hard to light deep tanks.
What I found works is staying away from sps.
Most of the LPS and soft corals are less light demanding corals. You have some soft corals that can live in par around
50 par. Most zoas are also low light.
I remember the 1st thing I said when I seen your tank.I said it’s going to cost a lot of $$$$ to light that tank.
 
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I have a 220 that’s 30” deep and its hard to light deep tanks.
What I found that works is staying away from sps.
Most of the LPS and soft corals are less light demanding corals. You have some soft corals that can live in par around
50 par. Most zoas are also low light.
I remember the 1st thing I said when I seen your tank.I said it’s going to cost a lot of $$$$ to light that tank.
thats the other thing, we wouldnt have to have a million lights over the tank. i think it would look a lot cleaner hanging several kessils, otherwise we are going to have the kessils/radions in the middle with like 2 or strips of led light bars
 
Tall tanks aint worth it, as mentioned above with the downsides, I rarely see the fish utilize any of the top layer of water, expect when feeding. A tank that is wider would be more benefit than taller imo. For both livestock and owner.
Using a step ladder and sticking your whole arm to do work on the bottom sucks lol!
 

MadReefer

Staff member
NJRC Member
Moderator
Tall tanks aint worth it, as mentioned above with the downsides, I rarely see the fish utilize any of the top layer of water, expect when feeding. A tank that is wider would be more benefit than taller imo. For both livestock and owner.
Using a step ladder and sticking your whole arm to do work on the bottom sucks lol!
I couldn't reach the bottom of the corner tank I had. Even using a step stool I was an inch from reaching the bottom.
 
16-20" would be better I'd you wanted bigger fish, just would have to use more rock to have high light demanding corals higher.

I couldn't reach the bottom of the corner tank I had. Even using a step stool I was an inch from reaching the bottom.
You ever have fish get too close to you when trying to reach the bottom?
 
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