Tank shape question

[hmt321]

We are in the planning stages of renovating our basement, i have the go ahead from the wife to put in two, large tanks on one wall. the tanks will be built in wall with aprox 36" behind them. I cant go longer than 6'. In one tank ill keep SA cichlids, choclate, tbar, severums, ect. the other ill probably plant and keep NA natives, mainly shiners, small sunnies, ect. Ill be drilling and hard plumbing the tanks using canister filters.

Glass cages have several varients on the 240:
The tall is 72" x 24" x 31"
The wide is 72" x 31" x 24"

how bad is cleaning the 31" tall tank?

i am thinking that the wider footprint is better for the fish, not sure

most of mine are 20" or so, i cant remember how tall my 125 gal is but it cant be much taller than that

 

[convict360]

My tank is 24 inches high, and I hate it lol. Granted its worse cause its a corner tank, but I definitely prefer tanks around the 18-20 inch height mark; much easier for me to access

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Definitely go with the wider tank. It'll give a wider footprint and a 3 foot tank is going to be horrible to work with. I'm 5 foot and I tried a 3 foot tank, it was the absolute worst decision I have ever made. Even if you're tall, 3 feet high of tank is still a lot.

 

[pops]

I have a 33 tall, it will require a bench, that I have but still reaching the bottom is a royal pain to move things, I had to get a trash grabber. never the less I love the wall of water in front of my face when standing. fish swim up eye level. so its worth it to me, extending vacuum tube does the job for cleaning the gravel, common pleco keeps the glass and decor cleaned up.

 

[pops]

of coarse this depending on the stand, for me tank top is 5.6'

 

[pops]

5' on the 145.

 

[fishnatics]

I would choose the wider footprint. With the stand I have to tip toe to reach the bottom when I clean and I definitely hate it.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Even if you want the tank at eye level, I would go with a taller stand versus a taller tank. Make sure your stand is sturdy, might even need to get bolted to the wall. But even if you have a tank up high that is shallow, all you need is ladder or stepstool to acess it. If it's a tall tank though, you need something to reach the top, and then yo need something to reach the bottom.

 

[hmt321]

thanks for the reply's

ill be going with the wide tank, ill build the stand so the bottom of the tank sits at 36" above the floor.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Great choice