Benefits of wide vs tall tanks.

[Zionas]

Hi all, I wonder if you had to choose between the width of a tank and height of a tank, which metric would be more important to you? Are there any benefits of wide tanks vs taller tanks with regards to fish swimming space and coral placement? What are the pros and cons of both? Is there any height that you would consider “too” tall / “too” short of a tank?

 

[Anubisxii]

I think 30 ish inches would be my max for tall unless this was a huge tank. You want to be able to reach down to the bottom. Think of how many times your going to have to get in there to move stuff, catch fish, siphon sand, place corals etc. Personally I like the 24 -30 inch tall tanks. Also not as deep tanks make lighting them less work atleast cost wise.

 

[Topekoms]

Wider is better more room to aqua scape

 

[Zionas]

I thought so. I’m of about average height (5’10) so I don’t want maintenance to be a pain if the tank’s too tall. Would the 16”-20” range be too short?

 

[Doctorgori]

I got a very tall 48” 150g ... I wanna say is 30” deep and totally stinks when a big turbo knocks over a coral...
If I had a do-over I like the geometric dimensions of most Red Sea tanks..
I like 24” max height and minimum 18-24” depth

 

[Anubisxii]

How many gallons are you looking at? Most tanks follow a weird standard that I personally don't know off the top of my head. It depends on what your trying to keep as well. Coral fish only etc.

 

[Zionas]

Mixed reef, mostly softies and LPS (maybe slight LPS dominance) and perhaps some easy SPS later on. Pretty decently stocked fish wise, 70-80 gallon range but would consider up to a 90.

Either way gonna be a 48” long tank.

 

[Anubisxii]

I would agree with @Doctorgori red sea has great dimensions so does waterbox. I would look at the height they use for those size tanks to reference. Most take height into consideration unless you get a cube tanks that's tall for that purpose.

 

[Zionas]

Yeah I had a look if I go with a 90 the closest would a Red Sea 450 but I’m thinking of maybe a custom 90 that’s 48” x 28” x 16” but would 16” be too short? I’m mainly going for the extra width because I wanna fit a Bristletooth Tang.

 

[Doctorgori]

Yeah I had a look if I go with a 90 the closest would a Red Sea 450 but I’m thinking of maybe a custom 90 that’s 48” x 28” x 16” but would 16” be too short? I’m mainly going for the extra width because I wanna fit a Bristletooth Tang.

behaviorally that genus isn’t quite the active swimmer like Naso Tangs et. I watch my group and they swim at top speed back n forth the entire 6 ft length ... I’m no tang police but IME length is more important than width

16” might be tight aquascaping wise

 

[Zionas]

Mmm I see. I think I’m gonna go about 20” in height and 24” in width. Would you say 4’ is not long enough for any Tang, or would the Bristletooths be more than happy in standard 48” x 24” dimensions?

 

[DaneGer21]

My current custom tank is 60”x36”x24”, its amazing having the extra width. So many aquascape options with the extra width, and tons of extra swimming room on all sides of it. My scape is right down the center so I can add corals to all sides, not just a “front side” which gives me the extra swimming on all sides of it.

IMO, 24” deep is PLENTY! Spend the money on the WIDTH, not the height! Trust me!

 

[TriggerFinger]

I’m 5’7 and hate the 24” height and 18” depth on my 90g. My pony tail and arm pits get wet and aquascaping space is limited.

 

[Miguel Negron]

The best answer is think about maintenance lol deeper the tank, the more you gotta shove your arm in

 

[fishguy242]

width...height say min 18

 

[Cole.mormon]

24 in tall width is most important

 

[Cell]

Generally, I'd want wider for coral and deeper for fish.

 

[Mjl714]

I agree with most comments on height and maintenance challenges, for me, 25” is perfect. What about the area where you plan to place the aquarium? What would work and look best there? Lighting costs could be more if you end up with more surface area (width).

 

[Zionas]

The area’s not really big because I live in an apartment, so maybe 28” for width is too much and I’ll just go with 24”. It will be in this area in my apartment, see attached photos. Room in total is probably 276 square feet with bed for two.

 

[Zionas]

To fit the Tang I’d probably want to do 24” in width and 20” in height I’m 5’10 but I’ve seen tanks maybe 24” tall and I had a hard time reaching them without a stool lol.

So 48” x 24” x 20” for a custom 95G would be ideal for me or would that also come with issues? Lol.

The house BTW is very new the building was completed in 2016. I’m on the second floor and the building complex is very low rise with probably 7 floors in total, wooden floor but with concrete and steel underneath. No rooms on the 1st floor 1st floor is only the management.