Rookie question

[tropicguy]

Hi - was looking at a RR tank - 70 gallon - but dimensions were like 36 x 25 x 18.5 instead of 48" L. What are advantages / disadvantages of this size tank? First thing comes to mind is lighting for deeper tank?

thanks

 

[nasher8860]

Whats up Tropicguy, I just got rid of my 65 tall around those same dimensions(36"inc long). One of the things I hated about that thing was that it was a pain to move rockwork around in the tank,remove dead things,and add new stuff. Everytime I ended up taking off my shirt and taking a dip. As for the lighting, your right if you want to put stuff on the bottom, I would definately recommend Halides,with a decent rock foundation you might be able to get away w/250's. I had my rockwork stacked almost halfway up my tank(and it could of used more). I had a pretty weak PC on it too though. Here's a couple old pic's of when I had it setup. The light was a Coralife 192watt Aqualight, 2x96. 1 actinic and 1 10,000k.

 

[Kensn]

I really like to have more front to back space for aquascaping with the rockwork. When I got my (0 I thought I was doing good, but alas I wish I would of got the 120 which was 6" wider. I would go for width over length and height.

 

[clayswim]

In that range I like either the 75 gallon (48X18X20) or the 120 gallon (48X24X24). Lighting any of these tanks with their depths really requires metal halide; the question is which wattage. For 20" you can get away with 250W easily, 24" and above and 250W becomes a little weak; so you're better off with 400W if you plan on SPS, clams or intense softies.

Height looks appealing, but it can create problems with both lighting and as Nasher pointed out; reaching into the tank. I agree with Ken that width is much easier to scape.

Clayton

 

[Jiddy]

Just wanted to piggyback and what everyone said, i go throu the same thing, 24 wide is really nice and 30 tall in very not nice and a pain in the arse!

 

[Kensn]

Ya if ya can swing it, for the amount of room I really like the 120..... 48x24x24..

 

[Krish]

I agree...I have a 90 gal and it was a little pain lighting it up with the PC's first go round @ 24 inches of height. The higher rocks did better. I'd say if you could go 20 inch height it would be better.

 

[NaH2O]

For 20" you can get away with 250W easily, 24" and above and 250W becomes a little weak; so you're better off with 400W if you plan on SPS, clams or intense softies.

I disagree here. My tank is 24" high (and with the Eurobracing even taller), and the 250s do fine for SPS and clams. IMO, any deeper than this, I would say either DE 250Ws or 400W.

As far as the tank dimensions....I like tanks that are wider, mainly for what Kensn mentioned before....aquascaping. It really makes a difference in how you can create shapes and depth within the tank.

I just want to clarify though....are the tank dimensions 36 X 25W X 18.5H? or is it 36 X 18.5W X 25 H?

 

[Kensn]

I am with Nikki, I think my tank, with a 24" height, does really well with 250w MHs. I do think it depends on the bulb though at that depth, I would look for one with a high par rating. Again, it all depends on what ya want to keep.

 

[Krish]

I think everyone is right in there own respect to size. There are enough choices out there in terms of lighting to satisfy any depth or length. It will all depend on, like everyone said, what you plan on keeping. Some lights are more expensive than others and can get quite pricey. So if you are working with a budget then you might want to take that into consideration when choosing your tank size which lights would accomadate it best for your application.

 

[clayswim]

250W halides will work fine in a 24" tank, but the light at the bottom of the tank is a bit on the weak side when compared to a 400W. As long as you place your livestock in the upper portions of the tank they work great; but you will see slower growth near the bottom due to lackluster photosynthesis.

Clayton

 

[Krish]

lackluster photosynthesis

Watch it now clay...Didn't you see the title of the thread "Rookie Quetion" LOL. Don't forget you got rookie readers here too LOL

 

[tropicguy]

thanks for all your help - to clarify it is 36L x 18.5W x 24/25D

John

 

[Pauls]

The extra depth can come in handy if you are planning on a phlemn or deep sand bed. 3-6 inches of sand will really raise up the rockwork and of course help with the lighting.

 

[tropicguy]

Hi - another question - I have been reading the pros - cons of BB and DSB. On the BB tanks is there still sand on the bottom of them - just real shallow? Can you still have shrimp, crabs, snails etc? sorry if these are dumb questions.

thanks, John

 

[wrightme43]

Mine is just a dusting that I did not get completly out when I removed my sand bed. It will be completly removed when I move my tank. I could not see in the water it was so cloudy. I am going to be moving the tank as soon as I get the other wall painted. LOL Im lazy so it may take a while. LOL

 

[Kensn]

BB is just a bare bottom, nothing on the bottom of the tank, others wil have to chime in on the inhabitants since I don't run a bare bottom.

 

[clayswim]

Barebottom works fine for most animals. Hermit crabs, shrimp and most snails don't really care if they walk on sand or not. The glass is soon overgrown by coralline algae anyway (that's the hard stuff covering the rocks in reef tanks; generally purple but it can come in many colors).

Some animals need sand, or at least are happier with it. The conches and sand-burrowing snails like sand, and so do certain fish like Jawfish. Personally I use a shallow bed of sand because I like the looks of it. With enough sand-sifting inverts and fish they keep it fairly clean. The pros and cons of deep sand beds can open a real can of worms where reef keepers are concerned. There are some that argue the benefits of extra nitrification and denitrification (the first removes ammonia and nitrites, and the second removes nitrates; all of which are deadly to our livestock). There are also increased risks that the sand will trap too much junk and in the long run cause more pollution than they eliminate. For the record I'm not a fan of deep sand beds (DSB), since I can achieve the same results without it.

Don't forget you got rookie readers here too

Throwing around big fancy words just creates more questions from rookies though, and that's a good thing; isn't it?

Clayton

 

[sryder]

I have a 140 that has a depth of 30 inches. I run 2 150 watt 10k halides. for the most part stocking is only lps and softies. these lights seem to do fine for the stock i have. mushrooms and the sort at the bottom. one thing with the depth though is that the water from the bottom of the tank needs to carry up detritus to the overflows. sometimes that is difficult. more vacumming in my opinion. I do like the way you can aquascape with the deeper tank even if i am up the armpits. as far as a sand bed goes check the boards i am sure you will find many a debate on sand beds. determine first what it is you want to keep and that will determine what equipment you will need. learn the requirements of the animals. then we can lead you in the right direction. steve

 

[Krish]

Throwing around big fancy words just creates more questions from rookies though, and that's a good thing; isn't it?

Sure does Clay (LOL). Keep throwing um so when I go to the LFS and can make them feel like poop. LOL