60x36x27 or 72x36x27 ?

[iammrhappy]

60x36 is 250

72x36 is 300


Just thinking about the next build which will probably be next year.

I made the noobie mistake of geting a 125 long which is only 18 wide. Pretty dumb right? First Saltwater tank, First Reef. SMH


I still want to grow the hell out of this tank, but it just isn't ascetically appealing to me. I'm going to keep it until I get the planning and fund all in check.


At this size, 250 would be around ~2000 pounds and 300 would be ~2400.


Questions:



1. Would you guys go acrylic or glass at this size?


2. Steel or Wood. I'm leaning towards steel.


3. If glass, which company would you recommend to make it? If acrylic, can John at AA make a tank this size thats reliable?

4. Finally, which size would go with? I'm leaning toward the 60x36.


This **** hobby got me hooked man.



Thanks!

 

[NVTE]

60x36 is 250

72x36 is 300


Just thinking about the next build which will probably be next year.

I made the noobie mistake of geting a 125 long which is only 18 wide. Pretty dumb right? First Saltwater tank, First Reef. SMH


I still want to grow the hell out of this tank, but it just isn't ascetically appealing to me. I'm going to keep it until I get the planning and fund all in check.


At this size, 250 would be around ~2000 pounds and 300 would be ~2400.


Questions:



1. Would you guys go acrylic or glass at this size?


2. Steel or Wood. I'm leaning towards steel.


3. If glass, which company would you recommend to make it? If acrylic, can John at AA make a tank this size thats reliable?

4. Finally, which size would go with? I'm leaning toward the 60x36.


This **** hobby got me hooked man.



Thanks!

What the max space you can have? If you dont want to think another upgrade, then get the tank as big as the space can fit.
Your 125 is not a mistake. Some new reefer wish to have that tank size. You are actually have good start.
You can go with glass with that tank size. I saw bigger tank. It is easy to clean than Acrylic.
Go with powder coated steel with wood doors
AGE make nice glass tank with a price. Crystal Dynamic (local) has nice tank at the show, you might call them to ask for the quote.

 

[lowbudget]

get whatever you can afford to maintain. moving up to a 300 maintenance is a different level. heating, dosing, and lighting. but good choice on doing 36 wide

 

[iammrhappy]

What the max space you can have? If you dont want to think another upgrade, then get the tank as big as the space can fit.
Your 125 is not a mistake. Some new reefer wish to have that tank size. You are actually have good start.
You can go with glass with that tank size. I saw bigger tank. It is easy to clean than Acrylic.
Go with powder coated steel with wood doors
AGE make nice glass tank with a price. Crystal Dynamic (local) has nice tank at the show, you might call them to ask for the quote.

Hey Dan,

1. Max Space would be 7 Feet Max. What I'm concerned about is width mostly. There is a room entrance that might be blocked if I go with 72-84x36
So that is why I'm considering 60x36. If I go 72, I dont want to go 36 probably but no less than 30. 72x30 would be great actually.

2. Yea, I just dumb for not researching enough haha. I'm only where I'm at because you guys are helpful haha. shoutout to you (nvte), lespaulplayer, pandimus, dbone, and untico for all the help lol.

3. I agree with glass. It just seems like the best way to go. I'd consider starphire as well, if fund permit. But like you said, upgrade once and that it. I like that idea. Thanks for the company tips. Ill make sure to contact them when the time comes.

4. I agree with steel/powdercoat and then wrap it up with wood. Just need to find a great welder.

Yea man. Last week when I was over at your place, your tank inspired this idea hahaha.

 

[iammrhappy]

get whatever you can afford to maintain. moving up to a 300 maintenance is a different level. heating, dosing, and lighting. but good choice on doing 36 wide

Very good point. I wonder how much more it costs to maintain a 250-300. I understand its another type of beast having that large of a tank. But is it more of a headache? hahah.

Thanks for your input!

 

[NVTE]

Hey Dan,

1. Max Space would be 7 Feet Max. What I'm concerned about is width mostly. There is a room entrance that might be blocked if I go with 72-84x36
So that is why I'm considering 60x36. If I go 72, I dont want to go 36 probably but no less than 30. 72x30 would be great actually.

2. Yea, I just dumb for not researching enough haha. I'm only where I'm at because you guys are helpful haha. shoutout to you (nvte), lespaulplayer, pandimus, dbone, and untico for all the help lol.

3. I agree with glass. It just seems like the best way to go. I'd consider starphire as well, if fund permit. But like you said, upgrade once and that it. I like that idea. Thanks for the company tips. Ill make sure to contact them when the time comes.

4. I agree with steel/powdercoat and then wrap it up with wood. Just need to find a great welder.

Yea man. Last week when I was over at your place, your tank inspired this idea hahaha.

Dave,
I should asked max allowance space. Of course you need to think about your safety as well especially near room entrance.
30" or 36" is depend on your room layout. like you saw my tank. if my tank is 24-30" they look about right to room layout, but 36" will be odd and stick out too much.

like Sanh said, you need to look into the cost to maintain big tank with right equipment/light/dosing/waterchange/heat to see it is suitable for your pocket. I would recommend you read threads from reefers who is success with that tank size and learn from their experience.

 

[newtothis]

60x36x20 sound great too. having a shallow tank would give you more option with lighting and coral placement. not to mention having a tall tank is PITA to clean.

 

[newe70]

never to late to go big, bud!!!

 

[sean2sean]

bigger is better.

 

[iammrhappy]

never to late to go big, bud!!!

Within 4-5 months!! I really want to test if I can make this 125 work. Then I'll treat to a 300 gal lol. Hopefully I'll have a baller tank like yours one day haha.

 

[iammrhappy]

60x36x20 sound great too. having a shallow tank would give you more option with lighting and coral placement. not to mention having a tall tank is PITA to clean.

**** 20 sounds appealing too. Or even 24 would be Good as well. Do most fish species like the height or do you think most species are ok with shallow tanks? The goal is to diversify as much as possible with fish. Thanks!

 

[newtothis]

**** 20 sounds appealing too. Or even 24 would be Good as well. Do most fish species like the height or do you think most species are ok with shallow tanks? The goal is to diversify as much as possible with fish. Thanks!

Screw the fish, I'm more worried bout the maintenance.

 

[iammrhappy]

Screw the fish, I'm more worried bout the maintenance.

Dang now I need to figure out another question.

Shallow or tall.


Shallow means I need to build the stand higher. I want a taller stand anyway. Interesting. You make a very great point. Thanks for the insight!

 

[james-lee]

Shallow whenever I get a house. Had a 30" tall and I'm 5'10 and I could barely reach the bottom to clean. Had to literally lay ontop of the tank to reach. If you want a decent height I say go 24. But in the end it's what makes you happy. Go see some tanks in person at different heights and imagine it in the space you will build to get a better idea of what you want. And don't forget the build thread hehe!

 

[Emac909]

Very good point. I wonder how much more it costs to maintain a 250-300. I understand its another type of beast having that large of a tank. But is it more of a headache? hahah.

Thanks for your input!

I can kind kind help with this and let me tell u I did it cheep style too.
So before the 300 I had a 180 and before that a 130.
On the 130 I would go through about 5 to 7 gallons of make up water a week depending on time of year.
On the 300 I go through 20 to 40 gallons of water in make up a week.
On the 130 I would go through 2 prefilter, 4 carbon block, 1 membranes, and about 3lbs of DI a year.
Now on the 300 I use 4 prefilters, 12 carbon blocks, 2 membranes, and 10 lbs of DI a year. Ok and that's just water and I never do water changes. I think I did like 5 water changes on the 300 last year.
I don't dose it would cost way to much in additives. So I have a large cal reactor. Last year I went through 2 20lbs co2 bottles and around 50 lbs in crushed coral.
Now lighting I run 5 gen 1 radions at 100% 10 hours a day at 130 wph X5 = to around 750 watts per hour for 10 hours.
I try to keep pumps to a min. So 2 xf150 gyres, 1 reeflo blackfin3600 (it powers pretty much everything by manifold). And skimmer pumps (I was running 2 skimmers on it last year).
All the above is just stuff to keep the beast running not even the cost to setup. I got the tank used and made the stand my self. In all with the tank and wood I was at $600. Then the sump cost me around $200 and I made it my self out of a 110 gallon tank.

 

[thegrun]

The 27" height will mean you are going to have to dip your shoulder into the water when you need to get to the bottom of the tank for maintenance, especially with either a 30" or 36" wide tank. Granted the extra 3" looks better, but it is a PITA to get to the bottom of a tall tank.