30" vs 36" tall tank (450~ gallon tank)

[The Crunkness]

Another question on my custom tank build. Keep in mine the feature fish of this tank will be a black arowana

I need help deciding between 30" or 36" tall. I know its not much, but still. My dilemma is that I don't want it to be too difficult to clean. My 7' (W) x 4' (D) x 2' (H) was a beast to reach all the back to clean ( I did not have access to the back).

I should be able to reach all sides. I'm doing an in wall build with easy access to back and sides, but am also thanking about adding cabinets above the tank in the front to provide access as well (still unsure about this)

What would you do? Any pros/cons that we can discuss? Light penetration I know can be a factor, as well as just reaching in the tank for cleaning etc, but what else am I not thinking of?

 

[Blakewater]

You can buy extenders to help you clean. Personally if you’re going in on this I’d go all in as far as you could go. That way if you repurpose it down the road there’s more options open for you. Most people suggest a minimum of 3.5-4’ width for arowanas anyway so I’d say do the max you’re comfortable with. From previous experience with my tanks it was always more or less the tank height that made cleaning a b*tch not the width

 

[DN328]

Some things I start to think about. Do you plan on substrate? I find it doesnt matter what kind, powerheads alone aren't enough as I like "cleaner" bottom. This means if you manually do that you'll need to keep that in mind. There are pre- made siphons like python that are quite long.

Do you plan to have plants or just fish and decor? There are lights that can handle the depth with needed intensity and par, but will cost a bit more.

 

[celebrist]

Bigger is always better but I can tell you that my 450 is 30 inches deep and can be a hassle to rearrange the scape. I don't regret it though ?

 

[pacu mom]

My tank is 48" tall. Car wash brush with extendable handle. The brush will reach all areas of the tank. The hardest part to reach will be the back wall with all the plumbing that will be in place. Might have to get in the tank to clean sometimes.




I am vertically challenged, so needed a platform to access the top of the tank. The floor of the platform is hinged so we will have access the the sump that will be partially under it.



For lighting, we went with Simkar Reflect A Bay industrial shop lights. The lights are mounted so we can have 2, 3, or all 5 lights on. Tank is not set up, but I am sure we have more than enough lighting.

 

[The Crunkness]

Bigger is always better but I can tell you that my 450 is 30 inches deep and can be a hassle to rearrange the scape. I don't regret it though ?

View attachment 1412917

Great looking tank! I really like the 30" height, maybe that is enough for what I want. Thanks for the picture!

 

[The Crunkness]

My tank is 48" tall. Car wash brush with extendable handle. The brush will reach all areas of the tank. The hardest part to reach will be the back wall with all the plumbing that will be in place. Might have to get in the tank to clean sometimes.
View attachment 1412920



I am vertically challenged, so needed a platform to access the top of the tank. The floor of the platform is hinged so we will have access the the sump that will be partially under it.
View attachment 1412923


For lighting, we went with Simkar Reflect A Bay industrial shop lights. The lights are mounted so we can have 2, 3, or all 5 lights on. Tank is not set up, but I am sure we have more than enough lighting.

View attachment 1412924

Wow what a project! Is that glass or acylic? If glass I would be curious about climbing inside. I would be way to nervous to break the bottom with my fat ass.

 

[pacu mom]

Acrylic. Wouldn't consider anything else for my tank busters. I need a stepladder to climb in and out of the tank. Tank vacuuming has a different meaning for me. BTW, the seams of the background panels were covered up for one continuous background. I repainted more than half of the background because my panel repairs left the right side too blue.

 

[pacu mom]

Since you will be doing an in wall build, consider external overflow boxes. I have two 4' external overflow boxes on my tank. While most people don't have access behind their tanks--you will.