4'x8'Show Tanks How tall?

[Cappuccino Bay Aquarium]

We are building the show tanks , and need to make up our minds as to the hight of our two tanks; Each is 4' x 8' length and width. Now we feel with a tank that wide , there needs to be some hight to the tank to ballance out the look , {about 42"} but this will be most difficult to service? I have problems with my home 110 tall {31"} ? Will a 37" tall 4'x8' tank look too much like a vat? "please opine"

 

[Anonymous]

Has the store opened yet? I am trying to decide when my next trip to Atlanta should be

Ivy is very intriqued as to which Mall it is in, Did I mention Mall in Atlanta

Opinion

I like the tanks that are wide and not a lot of hieght. It gives the fish more room to roam and aloows for better territories. Also the look of depth is great. Just my opinion

 

[Anonymous]

I am also curious if the people that scoffed at your idea 6 months ago will be charged at a higher rate as those of us that allowed your dream to become a reality with out all the ribbing?

 

[ejloomis]

How much sand is going in the tank? If it's 4 inches, then you effective depth is that much less.
I only have a 30" high tank, but in my experience it is fairly rare that I actually have to reach to the bottom; most of the time if I'm reaching into the tank it's to help a coral that's close to the top.
I think more height will look nicer, provided that you have the rock structure to fill it up such that corals are placed near the top. If you don't have enough rock, don't build the higher tank; a slightly out of proportion tank that looked full would look better than an empty, well-proportioned one.

 

[Jeff Hood]

I am going to have my in wall tank 84x40x40.

I like the extra height and am willing to put up with the occasional head dunking to place things etc... My tank will be built into the wall so I can get to the top of the tank from behind when done. I will use a platform to lay on on top of the tank then just hang down into for the occasional coral placement.

Jeff

 

[Minh Nguyen]

36 inches high and use 2X1000W MH. This will be a great tank for coral. Too deep and you will have problem reaching the bottom of the tank.

 

[pathos]

I would say 36" would be the preferred height. Any deeper and you will have big problems reaching to the bottom as mentioned above, and controlling the environment in terms of lighting and circulation would become more difficult and expensive the deeper you go. A 36" high stand with a 36" high tank sounds about right. Will there be a hood on top or open-air with MH pendants above? What is your circulation system? The DSB need not be more than 4"-6" to start out with, remember it will get deeper as you re-seed it through the years. Just my $.02

pathos

[ September 17, 2001: Message edited by: pathos ]

 

[myreef]

I would also recommend 36". Anything taller and it will be a true bear. I know where you can get good lighting also. www.sunlightsupply.com They were at MACNA and have some nice lighting. They only sell wholesale, but you should look them up. One of their sales people is [email protected] They used to supply PFO their ballasts...now are doing it themselves. They had a Ushio 10k 1000 watt bulb at MACNA. Good luck...can't wait til it opens.

 

[Cappuccino Bay Aquarium]

We are also concerned that the VHOS that suppliment the HDs will not offer much on a 36 or 40 inch tank ? any thoughts? Also has any one used agrocrete and experienced a silicate problem, due to the portland cement?{We plan to make some agrocrete to hide the plunbing inside the tanks]

 

[Anonymous]

Make sure you cure the cement in mild acid, otherwise you'll have problems later.
Dump the actinics. You won't need them with 1000 watt 10,000ks (I like Osrams, shotgun blast of blue/white). They'll be pretty drowned out anyway, regardless of depth, when using 1000 watt bulbs.