Burningbaal Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 we're debating upgrading our 55...ya, already. My wife actually is the one who suggested it. I was going to build a new stand to fit a sump/etc and she said she wants it in a different spot someday. so I'm getting prices for glass from a friend and debating volume and dimensions. l x w x h 1. 24x24x24 cube (60 gallon)...sump is tricky, this is the smallest I might go 2. 30x30x24 cube (94 gallon) sump is better, might be too deep for the spot 3. 36x24x24 (90 gallon) sump is easy, lots of floorspace...still no big fish (tangs, etc) 4. 48x18x24 (90 gallon) I think this is worse than 3 and worse than 5 5. 60x18x24 (112 gallon) might allow for a pair of tangs? 6. 60x24x24 (180 gallon) I doubt I can convince her of this...but it'd be awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 180g if you can pull it off. So much reef! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramy Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I like tanks that are shorter But I am biased because I have so little space so any hope of upgrading to a bigger tank requires that it no tbe to long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkrcklives Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I love my 90 but if you can pull off the 180 go for it. I will be upgrading from the 90 soon. I will be going 48x48x30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bicyclebill Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I'm very happy with my 90. I had a 55, then a 60 before this. The jump from 55 to 90 is pretty impressive; 6" front to back makes a huge difference. I've got two medium sized tangs that are quite happy in mine, though some would say I've crowded them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Also, a 180g is 72"x24"x24" instead of 60"x24"x24" but either of those dems would be sweet! Nice thing is that you can get a 180g all glass RR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwenReefin Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I'm a huge fan of cubes, but a bigger fan of gallons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Well if you are building it, then I would go with a 40lx30dx20or22t the bigger the footprint the better!!!, and 20 to 22 inch deep tanks are so much easyer to get into and work, plus then lighting dosn't halfto be 400watt MH, 250's will be great!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badxgillen Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 i do like big..but dont forget it takes time and money to fill the big boys.i know i have dropped thousands in my setups and that is not what i had anticipated.took me a while to fill my 75.but if thats not a problem then go 75-180 for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimberlee Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Show her the pole results. Bigger is better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beardedsmurf Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I've got a custom built 60x30x24 tank coming by the end of the week. It's ~200 gallons and should be awesome. I had them put in a coast to coast overflow and 3 large holes in the back for a BeanAnimal drain to the sump. This is by far the biggest tank I have ever owned and am REALLY looking forward to the aquascaping possibilities with the front-to-back real estate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimberlee Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I've got a custom built 60x30x24 tank coming by the end of the week. It's ~200 gallons and should be awesome. I had them put in a coast to coast overflow and 3 large holes in the back for a BeanAnimal drain to the sump. This is by far the biggest tank I have ever owned and am REALLY looking forward to the aquascaping possibilities with the front-to-back real estate! See. Bigger better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burningbaal Posted November 17, 2011 Author Share Posted November 17, 2011 I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the votes...but other than just for the sake of having more room...any big advantages to the different dimensions? For example, no dimension will be less than 18" because I've learned that 12" is really hard to aquascape. I know length is needed for tangs...maybe 48" would be OK for a hippo or sailfin? So for things like 36x24x24 vs 48x18x24...both 90, which would you do? Hoping for comments on specific dimensions...I know we'd all love oxe's tank... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I'm so glad that I have the 8x2x2 tank now. If you go with a 180 at 6x2x2 you can still do a ton with it. The tank is perfect size, I have minimal rock work but still plenty for filtration and the fish are loving it. If you do tangs I would still suggest doing the 6ft tank if you can swing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 I built a temp system while working on my current tank last year, it was 48x30x24 about 150g, i thought that was a nice layout Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 If you really want tangs, and it sounds like you do go longer. If your not set on those specific tangs, then shorter and more space front to back is better IMO. I currently have a 125g 6' long tank and a 120g 4' tank, both are fun. I also have a 90g in the garage but I have yet to do anything but fill it with water. I have had 75g,65g,44gt,34g,30g,29g,20g,20gl tanks in the past and from my experience the front to back room is very nice to have. Keeping all the rock 6" or so off the glass really gives the fish some room and the added depth is the favorite part of my new 120g. JME Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burningbaal Posted November 17, 2011 Author Share Posted November 17, 2011 If you really want tangs, and it sounds like you do go longer. If your not set on those specific tangs, then shorter and more space front to back is better IMO. I currently have a 125g 6' long tank and a 120g 4' tank, both are fun. I also have a 90g in the garage but I have yet to do anything but fill it with water. I have had 75g,65g,44gt,34g,30g,29g,20g,20gl tanks in the past and from my experience the front to back room is very nice to have. Keeping all the rock 6" or so off the glass really gives the fish some room and the added depth is the favorite part of my new 120g. JME super helpful, exactly what I was fishing for. thanks for the input. I'm not necessarily set on tangs, but I'd like to if it can work. I think it's probably more important to me to have the 24" front-back though. I may do a 100g @ 48x24x20...what do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate213 Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 I have a 150 that is 48"L x 30"W x 24"H. I love the dimensions. It is much better than my 75. Lots of room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 A 100g would be fun and be enough room for a Kole or Tomini tang IMO, just about any bristletooth tang. To get the Hippo or Sailfin you would need to at least double it, so if 100g is a good compromise with the Misses, then it is good for everyone. There are hundreds of interesting fish out there, I am sure you can find several you will like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burningbaal Posted November 18, 2011 Author Share Posted November 18, 2011 I think the 48x24 footprint is my lead candidate right now...debating 20 or 24 inch height...100 or 120 gallons... I like the idea of the aquascaping and coral possibilities and maybe a bristletooth or kole tang. I'm really staring to like this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayR Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 IMO: I would go the biggest your space and wallet will allow. This protects you from wanting to upgrade in the future in case you got a smaller size tank. I've got a 240G (8x2x2) and loving it. But I think 2 things that are very critical/important are: 1. Maintenance - AKA water changes, access to socks, skimmers and drip line for evaporation. If you take the extra time to plan the above it will make things so much easier. My setup allows me to do my monthly water changes in 15 minutes and without a drip of water on the floor. So I literally spend 15-20 minutes a month to maintain my 240G system. 2. Quarantine - Also take the time to setup a small quarantine tank and make sure to quarantine ALL your livestock. This will save you tons of money and headaches. PS: good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burningbaal Posted November 18, 2011 Author Share Posted November 18, 2011 proposed water change system: 1. I'll have a branch of my return line that I can open with a ball valve to pump water out into a bucket for water changes. I don't really have decent access to a sewer drain line, and it'll only be 2-3 buckets for a standard water change so it'll work 2. I'll have a spare (weak) pump that I can pump water out of buckets with (into sump) to transfer the new water in. again, only 2-3 buckets 3. If I have an emergency and need to drain more than 4-5 buckets, I can run a garden hose either outside or to my sink (20 feet away) to drain the water. 4. top off: planning to have a 10gallon sit above/next to the sump an aqualifter and float valve. 3 gph shouldn't shock the salinity and 10 gallons total can't drop it very much. I'll probably have to refill the 10 gallon once a week or so at most. proposed quarantine plan: I tried using my 10 gallon as a QT once, but ammonia spiked and the fish died (used tank water and a 'dead' HOB filter...not enough bacteria). I'll plan on running the HOB filter on the sump for a month or so with a bunch of filter floss (post-socks) before getting new livestock and plan on getting 20L or something to use as QT. I'll stick the HOB on the 20L, fill it with 10 gallons new water, 10 gallons DT water and put a seachem badge on the glass. I'll have to get a screen and wimpy light, but does that sound ok? It might be time to start an actual build thread...but: my wife really likes the idea of a 60 cube...anyone ever get a sump under a 2'x2' stand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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