Pros and Cons of tall vs Shallow tanks

[reefes pieces]

Ok thought I'd start this thread up as some really interesting points about tank height dimensions were brought up. What type of tank do you have or like and whMy tank is 21" in height so I think it's in the middle. I do plan on making it SPS dominant but don't have any huge colonies yet. I personally like the look of shallow tanks as it seems to add depth and tends to give more focus on the coral.

 

[SAKTEK]

Dam* that didn't take long... Lol


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[reefes pieces]

haha no it didn't but it's a really good topic but not on weinerboy's thread. Don't want the discussion to die out either. haha

Dam* that didn't take long... Lol


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[SAKTEK]

It's definitely a good thread though. Personally I prefer a deeper tank, but I'm 6'1" though, so it doesn't affect me reaching down.


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[Demonkegman]

My tank is TALL. I hate it. Got to have a really good light. Which I just purchased but up until this, harder to grow out in my opinion. I don't see any pros, someone change my mind...

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[Reefomeez]

I think Nick should go taller. Huh? Oh, wrong thread...I'll take my unsolicited advice elsewhere. LOL



Mine is 24" and I like it. If I could fit a longer tank I think the ideal height is 22". Mostly because I can call it a "Deuce-Deuce" but also because I can reach all the way down and keep a dry shirt while still maintaining some depth. 20" is nice but too shallow for me and anything less would just be a frag tank for me.

 

[pgr11]

I have a 24" and really like that height. Any taller and it would suck to maintain and light. For my taste 20" is the absolute smallest. Anything less doesn't look good just looks stuby.

 

[Classictint]

20" looks good .. 24" max

 

[solitude127]

Do you you think the width of the tank should determine the height? My tank is 60x30x20 and it looks proportionate in my eyes because it's not too wide and I don't have a canopy. Do you think that an 8' tank that's 20" tall with a canopy will look pudgy? I look at Estebans tank which is 24" tall with a 48" stand and his tank doesn't look like it 24" tall.
Maintenance wise, I like my 20" tank but look wise I like the look of 24". I wish I went 22" on my tank.

If you did have a taller tank, would that change your lighting?

 

[Usingthejohn]

Maybe I wasn't too creative with my aquascapes on my 4x2x2, but I didn't really care for all the open space above the rocks. Likewise, I also didnt like having to stand on a stool to reach to the bottom of the tank.

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[Igarc009]

I have a 12" I love the shallow look though. The only thing I do wish I did was get a taller stand so I don't have to bend down as much

 

[$$$PIT]

Well, I will be the 1st to say I like tall tanks. I have a 110 tall 30” high. I even have a canopy on it. Yes, I have to stand on a chair, can only reach half way down the tank, and have to hand make special tools to reach the bottom but I have no problem with that. I run my MH 6” from the water and have never had any problems growing coral on the bottom. IMO taller tank looks more like a living picture on the wall, you can see everything better, looks good even from across the room. I plan on upgrading next year to around the 200gal range and it will be 30” high.

 

[newtothis]

Do you you think the width of the tank should determine the height? My tank is 60x30x20 and it looks proportionate in my eyes because it's not too wide and I don't have a canopy. Do you think that an 8' tank that's 20" tall with a canopy will look pudgy? I look at Estebans tank which is 24" tall with a 48" stand and his tank doesn't look like it 24" tall.
Maintenance wise, I like my 20" tank but look wise I like the look of 24". I wish I went 22" on my tank.If you did have a taller tank, would that change your lighting?

I'm planning on placing an order for the same dimensions as yours mike...but it'll be a peninsula instead. The tank will be a partial divider between the lvrm and kitchen/dinning room. I'm planning on going with a canopy.....I just hope it doesn't look awkward. Maintenance is gonna be a pain, since the lvrm side is lower then the kitchen side, so the tank and stand will be elevated on the lvrm side. Main tench is gonna be a pain....any thoughts...

 

[Six2seven]

If you did have a taller tank, would that change your lighting?

I think lighting becomes a factor for a lot of people. Taller tanks require deeper penetration (insert perverted comment here lol) people who had 24" or 30" tall tanks with incorrect lighting might have switched to a shallow tanks with better results. I've seen many tanks with all the sps only on the peaks of the rocks.

 

[Mr. Plant]

My tank is 23" tall. I think its perfect for me and i'm 6'1". When i go to feed my coral on the sand, I use my long turkey baster, and my hand stays dry....

 

[reefes pieces]

So another interesting mentioned from some previous posts on the other thread. SPS. Obviously if you have SPS growing out of the tank that's a good problem to have but a much more obvious one for shallow tanks, but STN and RTN was mentioned as well. Aside from vertical grow out and personal aesthetics, will shallow tanks actually be a problem for SPS husbandry?

 

[solitude127]

So another interesting mentioned from some previous posts on the other thread. SPS. Obviously if you have SPS growing out of the tank that's a good problem to have but a much more obvious one for shallow tanks, but STN and RTN was mentioned as well. Aside from vertical grow out and personal aesthetics, will shallow tanks actually be a problem for SPS husbandry?

Why do you feel a shallow tank will be a problem for SPS husbandry? Have any examples?

 

[Six2seven]

So another interesting mentioned from some previous posts on the other thread. SPS. Obviously if you have SPS growing out of the tank that's a good problem to have but a much more obvious one for shallow tanks, but STN and RTN was mentioned as well. Aside from vertical grow out and personal aesthetics, will shallow tanks actually be a problem for SPS husbandry?

never had a shallow tank but i know that when i buy sps from someone who has metal halides i place those sps on the sandbed and them move them up as they adjust to the LEDs. with a shallow tank i think it would be harder to acclimate corals to your light.

 

[reefes pieces]

Actually I'm just as clueless but on weinerboy's threads it was mentioned that there can be issues with shallow tanks so I'm very curious as to what

Why do you feel a shallow tank will be a problem for SPS husbandry? Have any examples?

 

[solitude127]

Actually I'm just as clueless but on weinerboy's threads it was mentioned that there can be issues with shallow tanks so I'm very curious as to what

Me too. Maybe someone will chime in