55 Hex Reef?

[Reefer421]

I was wondering if anyone has experience with a 55 hex reef. The guy at the LFS said they can be hard because of circulation issues. Does anyone currently have one or have any stories about them?

[Reefer421]

I guess this is not a very popular tank???

[don954]

my hospital tank is a 60 hex, it circulates great, the shape is great so you can get a nice spin on the water.

[Fmellish]

M buddy has a small Hex, probably 30-40 gallons, and they don't make the best reef tanks.

Plumbing is sometimes difficult, especially if the tank isn't on a huge stand. In my friend's case, he can't really have a sump. So he's left using hang on the back filters and fuges. Lighting can be difficult too. He doesn't erally have a canopy, so his halide just sits on his glass. He has lost corals in this tank.

Hex tanks just have design considerations that are different from rectangular tanks. I would imagine that a hex tank could be a successful reef tank if it were large enough. Then you could have a sump inside of a nice stand, and good lighting inside of a nice canopy. Maybe 60 gallons or bigger.

I personally would love a hex tank. I just don't have the time right now for another tank.

Josh

[Amy83820]

I had a 30 gallon hex and it just didn't work out. First off, not enough oxygen exchange because there isn't enough surface area. You would definitely need a sump, but a sump won't fit underneath a hex stand. The light fixture had to sit on the top, but because there was no sump, it was *so* crowded on top. You had to have the glass lid so the light could sit on it, which left no room to hang on a filter or skimmer. It was just a hassle in general.
I'm sure it could be done, but definitely sit down before hand and do some math with the dimensions of the tank and make sure you can find lighting that will fit.