Same Gallons, Different Shape: Which Reef Tank Would You Choose?

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Let’s say you’re planning your next reef tank. Your budget is set, the available gallons are roughly equal, and now you have to choose the shape.

Would you go with a long, shallow reef that gives fish plenty of swimming room? A wide lagoon with lots of aquascaping possibilities? A peninsula that can be enjoyed from multiple sides? Maybe you’d go completely outside the box with a bowfront, hexagon, cylinder—or even a giant reef fishbowl!

Tank shape affects much more than appearance. It changes how we approach lighting, water flow, aquascaping, coral placement, maintenance, and even which fish we can comfortably keep.

So, if the gallons were equal, which tank shape would you choose?

BONUS POINTS: What advantage (or unexpected headache) did you discover only after living with your current tank shape? Show us your tank if you have a good example!

 

[JumboShrimp]

Way-back-when when I experimented with a 6-foot frag tank as a 'display tank', I really saw the possibilities that a long, shallow tank could hold out. (It was only 10" of water to the weir overflow.)

 

[UncommonSense]

I’ve always been partial to space-efficient corner pentagons… though a peninsula is a close second!

— the final decision would really depend on the the spot being filled…

 

[mfinn]

I'm traditional all the way.
Had a bow front tank once. I found it was harder to keep the front panel clean.
Never had the space for a peninsula tank.
I would combine the rectangle with the extra wide.

 

[xiaoxiy]

Lagoons really give a nice sense of depth.

 

[Gman83]

I voted for peninsula

 

[KrisReef]

The ship channel off of Grand Cayman is nice, the lagoon in Rarotonga is amazing, as are the lagoons in Tahiti. If I could move to one of these places I would ditch the reef tank for a SCUBA tank and live happily ever after. Sadly, she wants to stay near the children & grand children far away from any tropical location with the high temperatures and humidity.

Any tank will do in the mean time. and it is mean!

 

[keithw283]

In my current house, traditional rectangular. My dream tank is a room dividing peninsula tank though. Just nowhere for it to go in my current house

 

[exnisstech]

2 months into my first peninsula and we love it. It's pretty much the center piece of our small house. All my other tanks have been lagoons in a corner.

 

[Bob Weigant]

Ive never had a long and shallow but always wanted one so that got my vote

 

[PolypPocket]

Whatever the bottom middle one is, is awesome looking! But would be hard to clean and scape I think.

I love cubes though, it’s my favorite look. Least favorite aesthetically is the traditional wide ones mostly because it’s been done over and over.