Aquarium Sizes

[ddaddy2420]

Well i have been looking to purchase or trade for a wider but shorter aquarium, but the more i look the more i realize that aquariums aren't made short and wide. Looks like for any 90 gallon the shortest it comes is 24" tall. This makes it almost impossible to reach to the bottom. Does anyone know if this type of aquarium is made? Also 18" wide isn't very wide either, why don't they make a wider rather than taller aquarium???

 

[ichthyoid]

I would venture an educated 'guess' that a standard 120 gallon might be the most popular reef aquarium size.

It's 4 feet long x 2 feet high and 2 feet wide.

That form factor gives you a lot of 'floor space' for specimens and rock. Depth that not only looks good, but that you can reach as well (a stool helps too). The length makes it room friendly also.

Longer tanks make it harder to locate due to limited wall spans that can accommodate them. Greater front to back dimensions protrude too far into many/most rooms.

Fwiw- I bought a Marineland 120 for my next display. It has a single corner overflow. I plan to set it up as a 'peninsula' (narrow dimension against a wall, sticking out into a room). This way it will act as a sort of room divider. I also didn't incur the added expense of a custom tank (I have two kids in college

My $0.02

 

[frantz]

You can have an aquarium made to order by several shops, folks here know better than I on who is good.
Most aquariums are designed for viewing so a large front surface area is desirable. It's not that they don't or won't make other sizes, but why keep them in stock or mass produced if only one aquarium buyer in 500 (or whatever) wants and is willing to pay for it? Basic econ!

 

[ddaddy2420]

So most people don't find 24" deep tanks hard to access the bottom? I hate to go smaller but I would much rather a 21 or 20" tall tank. Shame cause this 32" led I just bought is suited for a 48" tank.

 

[ichthyoid]

Most have at least 2 inches of substrate on the bottom, so depth is a little less at around 22 inches.

I personally don't have any problems reaching the bottom, but I'm 6'3" tall with a 6'6" wingspan too

As mentioned, a stool helps. There are also accessories made to assist with picking things up in deeper tanks.

Or, just add a little more substrate. With 3 inches on the bottom, your 'depth' is now at 21 inches.

 

[frantz]

Roll up the sleeves! I love the 120.

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

Frantz;836507 wrote: Roll up the sleeves! I love the 120.

+ 1. I end up taking off the shirt all together, and using it to wipe off my arms when I'm done with my 120. LOL...

 

[tbryan]

i have seen an 80 and a 60 that is shorter

 

[ddaddy2420]

Anyone know any companies local?

 

[shanepike]

CedzAquAddiction;836519 wrote: + 1. I end up taking off the shirt all together, and using it to wipe off my arms when I'm done with my 120. LOL...

Ha! Glad to know I'm not the only one.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

This is the whole reason I went with a 180 instead of a 210/220. Just couldn't handle the additional 5" depth.

 

[ichthyoid]

+1

I doubt I will ever have another tank that is over 24 inches deep...

...well maybe 27, if it's a DD

 

[schwaggs]

My 210 is 30" deep and it is tough to reach the bottom even with a stool but I love the look and would do it again, maybe even a little deeper. The 210 is a 6 foot tank, that is why I think it looks better with the extra depth. A 4 foot tank looks great with a 2 foot depth.

I ran a 90 reef for years before getting the 210. I would strongly reccomend getting a tank that is 24" front to back. Even more if you have the space. The extra 6" between a 90 and 120 makes a big difference in aquascaping options!

 

[jimmystephens]

+1 im in the middle of an upgrade from a 75 to a 120. Amazing the difference

 

[ddaddy2420]

That's exactly what I want - 24" wide tank but they are much harder to come by than I thought.

 

[ddaddy2420]

Glass ages makes one called a 90 - 4 wide that is exactly the dimensions I want but I can never find one for sale. And I have checked every major city on Craigslist.

 

[tbryan]

there was an 80 gallon deep blue for sale on here recently but it sold already i think it was 48X24X16

 

[ddaddy2420]

Doh, would have bought that immediately

 

[jhutto]

24 inch deep tanks make it easy for most to reach bottom. My 210 is 29 inches and I cannot reach bottom.

 

[rdnelson]

jhutto;837770 wrote: 24 inch deep tanks make it easy for most to reach bottom. My 210 is 29 inches and I cannot reach bottom.

Yes but it looks soooooo nice. .