Custom Tank Size

bwbixby · 04/16/2008, 01:40 PM

Ok im trying to figure out what size tank im going to have built for my tank. This tank will be a mixed reef tank, so i am concerned about light penetration on what will be best.

I want it somewhere in the 100-135 gallon range. I also only want it 60in long. So i was thinking of doing 60x24x20 to give it some extra width. But most of the prefabricated tanks i see in this size range are all at least 24in tall. Is there a reason for that? Or is it just easier to manufacture?

60x24x20 would be approx a 125 gallon tank but IMO allow for more light penetration all the way to the bottom on less of a light.

Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions on other sizing?

TheFallofSidney · 04/16/2008, 01:40 PM

What type of lighting were you looking at? MH? T5?

bwbixby · 04/16/2008, 01:45 PM

I am leaning towards T5 As i can put it a bit closer to the tank with less heat concerns. Trying to avoid running a Chiller at this point unless really necessary! Not a money thing just its would probably only run maybe 10 days a year.

mikedege · 04/16/2008, 01:56 PM

I think that size would be nice, but keep in mind, with a shorter tank, you may want to have your stand built taller. So it is easier to appreciate, and youre not always leaning over. That also may be another reason that many bigger tanks come in taller dimensions.

good luck, Mike

bwbixby · 04/16/2008, 02:01 PM

Thanks Mike!

Yeah i am a huge DIYer, so I am going to build my own stand/canopy so i can make it as tall as i want! it will probably be a good 6-9 Month project getting everything set up how i want before even adding any water. But want to get tank ordered soon so i can start building my sump and refugium.

nava405 · 04/16/2008, 02:01 PM

i think it'll work, especially with T5s, the only thing is that you'll probably need to do your rockworks a bit lower so there's enough room for corals to grow. If it's 20" H, and u going to have sand bed, the real space you'll probably have would be around 16" to your water line or so.

standard 120g would be a 4'x2'x2'. However, i don't think u have any other choice if you want to keep it 60" long.

bwbixby · 04/16/2008, 02:04 PM

I could go to a 72in tank, and go a bit bigger(maybe 150gal), but i definately dont want a 48in tank. I want something that is going to cover a good chunk of this wall! Trying to find that middle ground of size and functionality!

bwbixby · 04/16/2008, 02:57 PM

you guys think maybe 135gal would be better? 72x18x24?

jlt23 · 04/16/2008, 03:00 PM

I'm thinking about a new tank and I like the 24" height and 30" depth. Not sure on the length yet. I think the depth allows more flexability on rock work and also having some open sand area.

nrike · 04/16/2008, 05:15 PM

I"ll go with 60x24x24. try atafish.com they do custom made tanks, i was just there asking for prices for my next project. talk to jay he'll give you a good price on any tank. 60x24x24 goes for $700 out the door.

TheFallofSidney · 04/16/2008, 05:18 PM

AdvanceAcrylics.com for custom tanks. Enough said.

bwbixby · 04/16/2008, 05:31 PM

the main reason i was trying to avoid 24 in height, was i read that t5 is only good for first 18 inches through water...is that correct? or can i get full spectrum over 20in of depth? i could set up MH's instead but would have to either get some fans for cooling or a chiller for the summer.

mikedege · 04/16/2008, 08:28 PM

When my 24" tank was up, it was incredibly bright. If you get quality stuff, you'll be fine. I have 8X54W T5's. Tek retros, with Icecap reflectors... very very bright, I usually only run 6 of them.

-Mike

bwbixby · 04/16/2008, 09:28 PM

Thanks for the advice, looks like ill go with the 135 gallon 72x18x24 than! And ill just make sure im very picky about what i do for my T5 lighting.

TheFallofSidney · 04/16/2008, 09:32 PM

Lol might as well go 72x24x24. You'll be happy with the extra width for scaping.

i2go · 04/16/2008, 11:10 PM

hey bwbixby,

My next project which will probably be around 100g, so im going to make sure the inside of the of the stand is going to be big, so I will have a lot of room to work with. ALl my tanks have had cramp stands and big sumps, so it's hard to work with. Dunno if you already know that, but yea... : )

Good Luck!

04/16/2008, 01:40 PM	#1
bwbixby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Buena Park, CA Posts: 672	Custom Tank Size Ok im trying to figure out what size tank im going to have built for my tank. This tank will be a mixed reef tank, so i am concerned about light penetration on what will be best. I want it somewhere in the 100-135 gallon range. I also only want it 60in long. So i was thinking of doing 60x24x20 to give it some extra width. But most of the prefabricated tanks i see in this size range are all at least 24in tall. Is there a reason for that? Or is it just easier to manufacture? 60x24x20 would be approx a 125 gallon tank but IMO allow for more light penetration all the way to the bottom on less of a light. Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions on other sizing?

04/16/2008, 01:40 PM	#2
TheFallofSidney Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buena Park, CA Posts: 964	What type of lighting were you looking at? MH? T5? __________________ My folks were always on me to groom myself and wear underpants. What am I, the pope? Current Tank Info: 50g 24"x24"x20" Display & 75g 60"x24"x12" Prop Using ZEOvit

04/16/2008, 02:01 PM	#6
nava405 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CA Irvine Posts: 2,818	i think it'll work, especially with T5s, the only thing is that you'll probably need to do your rockworks a bit lower so there's enough room for corals to grow. If it's 20" H, and u going to have sand bed, the real space you'll probably have would be around 16" to your water line or so. standard 120g would be a 4'x2'x2'. However, i don't think u have any other choice if you want to keep it 60" long. __________________ I hate polyp extension... Current Tank Info: rimelss 48x30x20, sump 72x22x16, 2x mp40s, nano wavebox

04/16/2008, 05:15 PM	#10
nrike Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: cerritos ca Posts: 432	I"ll go with 60x24x24. try atafish.com they do custom made tanks, i was just there asking for prices for my next project. talk to jay he'll give you a good price on any tank. 60x24x24 goes for $700 out the door. __________________ NemoHoes Current Tank Info: 120g mix

04/16/2008, 05:18 PM	#11
TheFallofSidney Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buena Park, CA Posts: 964	AdvanceAcrylics.com for custom tanks. Enough said. __________________ My folks were always on me to groom myself and wear underpants. What am I, the pope? Current Tank Info: 50g 24"x24"x20" Display & 75g 60"x24"x12" Prop Using ZEOvit

04/16/2008, 01:45 PM	#3
bwbixby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Buena Park, CA Posts: 672	I am leaning towards T5 As i can put it a bit closer to the tank with less heat concerns. Trying to avoid running a Chiller at this point unless really necessary! Not a money thing just its would probably only run maybe 10 days a year.

04/16/2008, 01:56 PM	#4
mikedege You kidding me or what? Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: the O.C. Posts: 879	I think that size would be nice, but keep in mind, with a shorter tank, you may want to have your stand built taller. So it is easier to appreciate, and youre not always leaning over. That also may be another reason that many bigger tanks come in taller dimensions. good luck, Mike

04/16/2008, 02:04 PM	#7
bwbixby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Buena Park, CA Posts: 672	I could go to a 72in tank, and go a bit bigger(maybe 150gal), but i definately dont want a 48in tank. I want something that is going to cover a good chunk of this wall! Trying to find that middle ground of size and functionality!

04/16/2008, 02:57 PM	#8
bwbixby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Buena Park, CA Posts: 672	you guys think maybe 135gal would be better? 72x18x24?

04/16/2008, 03:00 PM	#9
jlt23 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tustin, CA Posts: 712	I'm thinking about a new tank and I like the 24" height and 30" depth. Not sure on the length yet. I think the depth allows more flexability on rock work and also having some open sand area.

04/16/2008, 05:31 PM	#12
bwbixby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Buena Park, CA Posts: 672	the main reason i was trying to avoid 24 in height, was i read that t5 is only good for first 18 inches through water...is that correct? or can i get full spectrum over 20in of depth? i could set up MH's instead but would have to either get some fans for cooling or a chiller for the summer.

04/16/2008, 08:28 PM	#13
mikedege You kidding me or what? Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: the O.C. Posts: 879	When my 24" tank was up, it was incredibly bright. If you get quality stuff, you'll be fine. I have 8X54W T5's. Tek retros, with Icecap reflectors... very very bright, I usually only run 6 of them. -Mike

04/16/2008, 09:28 PM	#14
bwbixby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Buena Park, CA Posts: 672	Thanks for the advice, looks like ill go with the 135 gallon 72x18x24 than! And ill just make sure im very picky about what i do for my T5 lighting.

04/16/2008, 09:32 PM	#15
TheFallofSidney Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buena Park, CA Posts: 964	Lol might as well go 72x24x24. You'll be happy with the extra width for scaping. __________________ My folks were always on me to groom myself and wear underpants. What am I, the pope? Current Tank Info: 50g 24"x24"x20" Display & 75g 60"x24"x12" Prop Using ZEOvit

04/16/2008, 11:10 PM	#16
i2go Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 674	hey bwbixby, My next project which will probably be around 100g, so im going to make sure the inside of the of the stand is going to be big, so I will have a lot of room to work with. ALl my tanks have had cramp stands and big sumps, so it's hard to work with. Dunno if you already know that, but yea... : ) Good Luck!