bow front corner tank - any experience

[shellshocked]

The wife says we need new carpeting which means I have to move my 58 gallon oceanic - (that has been doing great for several years). If I have to move it I was considering moving it to the basement with all of the pumps, skimmer, chiller, etc... that make noise. My plan would then be to add a new tank but connect it to the old tank downstairs... so here is my question:

I am looking at a bowfront corner aquarium from either Oceanic or All-Glass. Does anyone have one and what is their opinion on how they do for a reef tank as far as aquascape and viewing?

Thanks Shellshocked

 

[Len]

It's all a matter of preference. Personally, I've always preferred a flat-front aquarium since it doesn't alter perception. Some people like the "wide angle fisheye" look of bowfronts; it does give a bigger scope of vision.

As for aquascaping, you've got plenty of options still with a corner tank, although it will limit you to more vertical aquascaping.

One thing I don't like about bowfronts is the inability to use magnets to clean the viewing sides. I had to manually scrub my glass every couple of days in my bowfront which did get a little cumbersome.

 

[Anonymous]

One comes pre-drilled (reef ready), but lacks a good cap to house an upgraded lighting setup.

The other does not come pre-drilled with overflows, but DOES have a good cap. Buy the one with the cap and cram a light in there. Install fans on either end. Send the tank itself to your LFS for drilling/conversion.

The one with the cap is the Oceanic.

edit: unless it's easier for you to construct a custom cap, then buy the reef ready all glass and make your pwn cap.

 

[johns120]

I came very close to getting the 92 corner tank but decided against it as I would have to had to chop up my MH/PC retro too much to make it fit. The 54 corner offers very little room in cabinet but one benefit they both have is that the interior floor of the stand is not raised like most AGA stands. Since I went with an AGA 75 gallon I had to place my unusually tall (for its processing power) skimmer behind the stand and not in it. Hope this helps, I personally love coner tanks but am glad I did not go with one if cleanining magnets dont work.

 

[camel shrimp]

Pluses are --space, very different and usually the height of the tank is greater.

Minuses are -- not enough length, sacrifice purpose for beauty. Lighting is always a toal retro no matter how you cut it.
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[Anonymous]

plus to the lighting mod: you can get away with one pendant light over a 54g corner bowfront.

 

[MrZ]

I'm in the middle of setting up a AGA 54g corner with a custom stand and canopy. Unless you REALLY enjoy DIY like I do - cant recommend it. I've spent hours with graph paper and a compass figuring out how to fit all of the lighting and gear above and below the tank. Building an oak stand to match the radius is another project unto itself.
-Z

 

[Anonymous]

It's all a matter of preference. Personally, I've always preferred a flat-front aquarium since it doesn't alter perception. Some people like the "wide angle fisheye" look of bowfronts; it does give a bigger scope of vision.

As for aquascaping, you've got plenty of options still with a corner tank, although it will limit you to more vertical aquascaping.

One thing I don't like about bowfronts is the inability to use magnets to clean the viewing sides. I had to manually scrub my glass every couple of days in my bowfront which did get a little cumbersome.

I had a 92 corner for a long time before I consolidated everything into my new system. They do not have "fish eye" appearance, and they do not distort your view or alter your perception to any noticeable degree.
I highly recommend them. I had a Giesseman 250W MH pendant over mine.

Jim

 

[acromoron]

I like mine alot. Magfloat cleans the bowfront just fine. Great for an island style aquascape with cave in the middle and lots of space up front. A 400 watt halide provides all the light you need, no center brace to worry about. Only drawback is space underneath, not an issue if plumbing to basement.