aquarium clearance above tank?

[12 Volt Man]

the thing is, because my new basement is actually at ground level (has a walkout to backyard and garage) I think I will be okay with the humidity.

if it was below ground, I would imagine I might get a lot more condenstation because of the cool walls, but its not so I should be fine..

 

[deeda]

12 Volt Man, I have a 220G that is 72L x 24W x 30H. I am running 2 canister filters & 2 AC110's. I have to use a 3 step ladder to work on my tank. The top of my tank is 28" from the drywall ceiling.

It's a PITA to clean/remove my AC110's because of the clearance issue with standing on ladder but that may be because I extended the intake tubes w/PVC to 20" in length. Plus my intakes are behind the DIY internal background.

The tank is also in my walk out basement & I have no issues with excess humidity. I do have the Versa glass tops so that does cut down on evaporation.

I love the size of the tank but will probably never get another tall tank. It's difficult to do any aquascaping with rocks or plants without lowering the water level to at least halfway.

 

[FishGoneWild]

I agreed with Hybrid. With a low ceiling you're better off stick to a 24" tall tank. Maybe a 150 or 180 should work. As long as you cover it really well I don't think evaporation will be a big issue.

 

[ReefinRon]

Hi there,

I did the same thing.... I got a 215 with a clam-shell canopy that clears by about 1/8 inch to fully open. It's a PITA but I think its well worth it if you have fish that will use the upper portion of the tank. The only thing I would recommend is getting a tank with a 2 foot depth. (front to back) This will add way more to the perspective of the tank then the extra 5 or 6 inches in height.

Good Luck with everything,

Ron

 

[12 Volt Man]

thanks everyone. since I am buying brand new (not interested in a used setup for a tank this big) I am going to go with the 150 rather than the 180. the extra width comes at a huge increase in price in my area..I am buying the biggest tank I can reasonably afford brand new..and the 150 it is..

I can't wait!

I really do love the "look" of the tank.

the extra height combined with the 6 foot length makes the tank look amazing in my opinion..

I have always felt that the proportions of the 125 and 180 (long but short) do not look as nice as the 150/210 tanks which are 6 feet long but 29" tall.

I know the extra width would be nice, but for the money spent, the 150 is my best value in terms of dollars spent per gallon..

 

[nfored]

My lights are about 24" above the top of my tanks, and its PITA to use my algae scrapper. General feeding gravel vaccing is all very easy, changing the water all of that is cool. The algae scrapper is just so tall that when i try to get the top of the tank I have to angle it or it hits the lights.

 

[12 Volt Man]

I know its going to be a pain in the ass. but Ihave to remind myself that I don't have lots of tanks anymore (no room im the new basement) so I have to go with as large of a tank as I can reasonably afford.

and the 160 (that they call a 150) is it..

 

[koop171]

I hav4e very little room from the top of my tank to my ceiling. and it's going to be less once I get the ceiling done and a drop ceiling in place. It will end up being around 1' and even less in spots where I have my shop lights hung.

 

[Damon0306]

Hey 12-volt, been following your thread, to start the tanks in those previous posts look awesome.

I would keep the chair in the room and remove the clock from the wall

I'm enjoying my 150 which you emailed me about, I am sorry I did not get back to you but I have been having lots of crap going on..

This tank is not fun to clean, with the height and the factory stand its TALL.

Even though I keep it BARE cleaning the alage stinks, I can barely reach the bottom with the standard alage/brush/handle pads.

I only picked this size tank for the most gallons I was going to risk on a 2nd floor apartment.

I've owned a 180G when I lived home, had it in my parents basement, even though it was quite wide for cleaning, the extra 30 gallons was worth it.

If floor strength is not an issue, I think you should get the 180 vers the 150.

 

[12 Volt Man]

Thanks Damon and everyone. I am going with the 150 size vs the 180 size mainly beacause of the big price increase in buying the tank/stand/top new from the LFS (which I want to do - not interested in second hand stuff).

the 150 stand, tank, glass top is $650. the 180 is $1100. almost TWICE the price..

I know I will be happy with the 150 since it makes the tank I have now (the 90) look like a guppy tank by comparison. I have seen them both sitting side by side at the LFS and the extra 2 feet in length combined with the extra 5 inches in height make the 150 look absolutely massive compared to the 90, which already seems fairly big to me...