Bow Front vs Rectangular Tanks?

[budsreef]

I'm thinking my next tank is going to be in the 70-90 gallon range and was curious if there are any advantages/disadvantages to bow front vs rectangular tanks? I think the bow fronts magnify everything inside since it acts as a lens which may be desirable. What are your preferences and why?

 

[cameron]

Personally, I like the flat fronts but can't see why other than the distortion which happens with glass fronts as well at an angle there would be any real problem. Otherwise it is usually a cost issue as rectangular tanks are generally cheaper and you have more flexibility with your stands. I think another good question on getting tanks is acrylic versus glass. I think as long as you stick with glass in most sizes and dimensions you aren't going to be unhappy.

 

[jhutto]

Agree, with Cameron on the glass part. I have a Nano acrylic and its very difficult to get the coraline algae of it. You have to use plastic scrappers, credit cards and go slow to make sure you do not scratch it. In my 90 gallow which is glass, one sweep with the "razor like kent scrapper" and its gone.
Bowfront are cool looking but I like the regualr retangular tanks just fine.

 

[george]

Bowfronts definitely look cool. The only limitation I can think of is stand selection or if you're DIY-ing the stand, ease of construction.

 

[petrasb]

I am thinking of selling my 175 bow front soon. I am returning to school and won't have time. Let me know if you are interested, you may stop by and check it out also.

 

[blind1993]

also bowfronts have to distribute the wieght better so u will have more pressure on the stand and glass.

 

[budsreef]

petrasb;60148 wrote: I am thinking of selling my 175 bow front soon. I am returning to school and won't have time. Let me know if you are interested, you may stop by and check it out also.

That is bigger than I want to get at this point. I'm thinkng 90 max.

 

[budsreef]

Cameron;60131 wrote: Personally, I like the flat fronts but can't see why other than the distortion which happens with glass fronts as well at an angle there would be any real problem. Otherwise it is usually a cost issue as rectangular tanks are generally cheaper and you have more flexibility with your stands. I think another good question on getting tanks is acrylic versus glass. I think as long as you stick with glass in most sizes and dimensions you aren't going to be unhappy.

Thanks, glass it will be. I'm not sure if you are saying the rectangular has distortion or the bow front has distortion?

 

[budsreef]

jhutto;60134 wrote: Agree, with Cameron on the glass part. I have a Nano acrylic and its very difficult to get the coraline algae of it. You have to use plastic scrappers, credit cards and go slow to make sure you do not scratch it. In my 90 gallow which is glass, one sweep with the "razor like kent scrapper" and its gone.
Bowfront are cool looking but I like the regualr retangular tanks just fine.

Thanks, what does the GC stand for on your tank and are you happy with the 90?

 

[blind1993]

the bowfront is what he means.

 

[budsreef]

George;60146 wrote: Bowfronts definitely look cool. The only limitation I can think of is stand selection or if you're DIY-ing the stand, ease of construction.

I'll probably buy the stand with it so hopefully that won't be an issue.

 

[jgoal55]

I highly reccomend going to look at a bowfront tank filled with water and other things before you make your decision.....some people like the look but I personally am not a big fan.....the distortion is pretty severe esepcially the bigger the tank gets so basically you can onl;y look at it from the front and never at any angles.....I like small bowfront tanks alot but for bigger tanks you dont really need any "magnification."

Either way I would just make sure you look at them before deciding.......it's a really personal choice......as far as glass versus acrylic....definitely go glass.....much more scratch proof.

 

[blind1993]

that is not what i was replying to srry i was replying to the distortion comment i think i should have gotten a quote.

 

[jhutto]

GC is the manufacturer of the tank. Its Glasscages in Tennessee. One thing I like about their stands is there is no center brace. Each of the walls is a extra thick plywood which reinforces all around and allows better access to sump. Its solid on the back so no worry about the sheetrock getting wet. However, it does retain moisture inside so I run a fan to keep the moisture down.

 

[blind1993]

doesnt a fan cause more evaporation.

 

[jhutto]

yes, it does some. I have an auto top off so it really does not matter. Sometimes I just leave the front off the bottom and not run the fan. I like the stand. Canopy allows retrofit very easily and am running t-5s so no chiller is needed.

 

[blind1993]

wow no chiller needed i will need one if i add any more heatmy tank gets up to 79 and if i take the canopy off the tank goes down to 74. i dont want the tanks temp to get over 82 anyways.

 

[budsreef]

jhutto;60388 wrote: GC is the manufacturer of the tank. Its Glasscages in Tennessee. One thing I like about their stands is there is no center brace. Each of the walls is a extra thick plywood which reinforces all around and allows better access to sump. Its solid on the back so no worry about the sheetrock getting wet. However, it does retain moisture inside so I run a fan to keep the moisture down.

I was looking at their site last night and have a lot of questions for you if you don't mind? Which 90G did you get? Did you get the regular glass, which color caulk, and any other options? Did you buy their sump and/or add the door on the end? What would you do different if you were doing it again?

 

[jhutto]

Did not buy it from them. I got from the ole wise one, Cameron. He bought a total package and dispersed the tank and some of its parts keeping the live rock and other items. The tank is their standard glass tank. It uses 48 inch lights that are retroed with T-5. Got two with it (Owner used MH that Cameron kept and t-5 combo ). I added 4 more to make it 6 with 54 watts each. Wanted to go no cjhiller to keep the costs down. Its a little deeper than I wanted at 24 inches and it does have the one off center overflow drilled in the bottom. It came with a acrylic sump and all the plumbing. I have a turbofloater in there now and will convert the sump to a refugium soon using the Turbofloater 1000 as outside the sump skimmer. Like the tank.
Canopy and stand seem more robust that the standard pine stands you see elsewhere.

 

[budsreef]

Thanks, Jhutto! They have a 90 Long and a 90 Tall that I'm looking at although I need to find a place to put it before I decide.

Anyone have opinions on which 90?

90 Gal. Long 48L x 18W x 25H
90 Gal. Tall 36L x 18W x 31H

or maybe the
95 Gal. Wide-36 36L x 24W x 25H