Size preference: 36x24x24 or 36x36x20

[DrewFish]

Hi Folks,

My fiancée and I just bought a house that unfortunately won't support my Red Sea Reefer XXL 750. There is however a perfect place for a 36" wide aquarium. It is in a corner where I will have my new office.

I have a lead on a 36x24x24 and a 36x36x20 both with stands and sumps for the same price. What layout would most people prefer? Do you think the extra 4" is a big deal?

I would mostly be stocking with softies and fish. But I know corals grow "up" to the light so I can see the argument why Z is the most important dimension. At the same time it would be neat to basically have two primary viewing windows since the tank is in the corner.

Thanks!

Drew

 

[Lavey29]

Mine is 36x22x22. I would opt for the 20 inch deep tank. It's easier to reach stuff if you need to. I also like the look of shallow long tanks versus cube look.

 

[nereefpat]

The 36x36x20 is a better deal at 112 gallons vs 90 gallons.

Part of it depends on if you like cubes or not.
A couple things that I would consider:
I wouldn't set up the 3x3 cube unless I could do it in a way that I could reach all panels to clean and also reach anything in the middle if needed.
Lighting a 3x3 is a bit of a challenge. You are looking at 2 'rows' of lights usually, especially if using LEDs.
The 4" height difference isn't a big deal, in my opinion. You can reach things on the bottom easier too.

 

[o2manyfish]

There are 2 ways of viewing this. The extra height of 24" is a good thing.

Short and wide is not what most of us find appealing. While it may be convenient to reach something, in terms of presentation taller is a better looking aquarium.

However, the depth of 36" front to back gives you the ability to have a really nice depth of view to the tank. Being the tank is only 36" wide reaching to the back won't be so difficult because you can reach from the side.

When I went from a 125h which I had for 10 years to a 360 (96x33x24) as soon as I saw the tank at the tank builder factory I new I didn't like the tank. The tank looked like me - Short, Fat, Wide. I replaced that tank after 14 months and went to 96x33x28.5 - 28.5 is the length from my arm pit to finger tip. It was the deepest tank where i could reach the bottom to clean the glass without putting my shoulder into the tank.

I went from the 400 to a 560 which was 120x30x36 --- Now we are talking supermodel stats - 36" tall was gorgeous - but it was impossible to work on and keep clean.

When we replaced the 560 last year and went to 750 we went 120x48x30. I bumped up from 28.5 to 30" tall because I was so enamored by the beauty of the 36" tall tank.

This is a pricey hobby. The aquarium box itself is relatively cheap compared to everything else. I know you just went thru the expense of purchasing a home, but consider getting the ideal tank made for your new home - Go 36x36x24. All your equipment is the same - but you will have a much better looking 'box' and that's just the start of a much better looking tank.

Dave B

 

[RedoubtReef]

36x36x24

 

[DrewFish]

There are 2 ways of viewing this. The extra height of 24" is a good thing.

Short and wide is not what most of us find appealing. While it may be convenient to reach something, in terms of presentation taller is a better looking aquarium.

However, the depth of 36" front to back gives you the ability to have a really nice depth of view to the tank. Being the tank is only 36" wide reaching to the back won't be so difficult because you can reach from the side.

When I went from a 125h which I had for 10 years to a 360 (96x33x24) as soon as I saw the tank at the tank builder factory I new I didn't like the tank. The tank looked like me - Short, Fat, Wide. I replaced that tank after 14 months and went to 96x33x28.5 - 28.5 is the length from my arm pit to finger tip. It was the deepest tank where i could reach the bottom to clean the glass without putting my shoulder into the tank.

I went from the 400 to a 560 which was 120x30x36 --- Now we are talking supermodel stats - 36" tall was gorgeous - but it was impossible to work on and keep clean.

When we replaced the 560 last year and went to 750 we went 120x48x30. I bumped up from 28.5 to 30" tall because I was so enamored by the beauty of the 36" tall tank.

This is a pricey hobby. The aquarium box itself is relatively cheap compared to everything else. I know you just went thru the expense of purchasing a home, but consider getting the ideal tank made for your new home - Go 36x36x24. All your equipment is the same - but you will have a much better looking 'box' and that's just the start of a much better looking tank.

Dave B

Well first, thank you for the thoughtful response. Second, holy hell am I jealous. Third, any good recommendations for custom builders for 36x36x24? It does not seem to be a very standard size!

 

[RedoubtReef]

Well first, thank you for the thoughtful response. Second, holy hell am I jealous. Third, any good recommendations for custom builders for 36x36x24? It does not seem to be a very standard size!

Yes, Clear Fabrications Inc out of WA. Jason is the owner and he has a Facebook page. I think there is a link to it in my build thread.

 

[nereefpat]

Glass cages makes a 36x36x25 for $1600

 

[Devaji]

I have the RS 300XL at 36"L x 22"H x 22.6"W I quite like it. i once had a SCA 90 cube at 36x24x24 i did not like that tank.

bummer you cant keep the 750.

I vote for the 36x36x20 or 36x 30x22
play around with the tank builder at glass cages if you need custom work it fun to see what you can get.

I replayed my RS 650P with an innovative marine tank gotta say i do love the aluminum stand and euro braced tank. something to think about but on a 36" tank you will be fine with rimless.

 

[DrewFish]

I have the RS 300XL at 36"L x 22"H x 22.6"W I quite like it. i once had a SCA 90 cube at 36x24x24 i did not like that tank.

bummer you cant keep the 750.

I vote for the 36x36x20 or 36x 30x22
play around with the tank builder at glass cages if you need custom work it fun to see what you can get.

I replayed my RS 650P with an innovative marine tank gotta say i do love the aluminum stand and euro braced tank. something to think about but on a 36" tank you will be fine with rimless.

What didn't you like about the SCA 90 Cube? That is the 36x24x24 that I am thinking of getting?