Footprint/height importance In A marine tank

[Nyghtfire]

ok i'm looking at setting up a marine tank and have been doing alot of research, and now i feel i know enough to start i'm considering size.
Basically i'm considering a 3x2ft foot print as this is about as large as i am able to go, it is possible though that i might be able to get away with a 3 ft x 3ft tank if i rearrange my room... to handle it, although i would rather not.
i am only intending to keep small peaceful fish, and a few inverts.
2 x Percula Clownfish are a must though.
and max size of about 4" maybe 6" depending on stock.
limit of about 8 fish, and maybe 10 inverts....
sump of undecided size, most likely a 20 gallon (just really to hold a deep sand bed and a skimmer)

Height, i was thinking either 18 inch or 24 inch "24 inch preffered for the greater water volume with more stable parameters.

Basically i'm used to freshwater and keep very few large fish, so i'm used to chasing a large foot print, in comparison to height...
in a marine, is height important?

And how important is a footprint in a marine stock, it seems to be as though it would be very important, but alot of the reef's i've seen have been quite tall, but a little footprint, seems to me as though footprint would be important, but i'm not sure.

 

[FLESHY]

Thats because the reefs focus is on corals, not fish.

All monster SW fish keepers know that footprint is HUGE...especially with how easy it is to buy SW babies that will quickly get to a couple feet in length...(See my panther grouper. Shoulda done a growth thread...oh well. )

36x36x24 is an awesome 134.65 gallon tank. I would be incredibly jealous.

Depth in SW tanks isnt really important...other than light penetration if you are planning on doing corals.

I want a 72x48x24...and was pretty close to buying some materials two weeks ago...but instead opened a new bank account to start saving money for an even bigger tank once I get a permanent house.

I love big footprints, and I think most everyone in any discipline of aquaria will tell you the same, unless they are looking for that strange artistic look of the tall tanks.

 

[Nyghtfire]

yep, got a big casino win today =D
but i'm still considering heavily with to go a large cichlid tank instead, (due to looking at moving in 2 years, and by the time i get it done, i'll looking at moving, and i can move freshwater, not to keen on saltwater...

 

[FLESHY]

If your not too keen on SW then why post threads of questions?

 

[Nyghtfire]

If your not too keen on SW then why post threads of questions?

sorry, i spent the day drinking at the casino... missed a word,
was meant to say "i'm not keen on moving saltwater"
i'm more considering it, either way i'll be going for the biggest tank i can fit, and fresh or salt, i overfilter and will be using a sump. just not sure on it. besides i like building things first, so i'll be building the stand which will take me a week - a few months depending on work...

Edit :
Just adding that i'm planning ahead aswell, and the only real reason i'm holding back a little with salt is that i'm petrified i'll end up killing everything when the time comes to dissassemble the tank and move it all...
i'm also thinking that since this is my first dip into saltwater, i won't go all out, and will just try and keep one creature as healthy as possible that is also tough as nails so i can have some leeway as i'm expecting a bit of learning curve, considering a peacock mantis shrimp, as i've read there very tough and quite forgiving. and i love my crustaceans

 

[FLESHY]

SW isnt bad...I have moved several times, and not really lost anything. If you wanted to do a FOWLR...this would be even less of a worry.

Everything is sounding good so far, stick around and learn until you are ready to go all in.

Enjoy your stay at the casino...I was supposed to go gambling in the cities last weekend...didnt happen.

 

[Nyghtfire]

very much so, i can afford the whole set up now
yeah just going to go fowlr for now, or crustacean only with live rock
going to go to my LFS in a few and see what they've got and what help i can be given

 

[Nyghtfire]

Update : got set up and letting live rock cycle a small tank that will be home to a 1 inch (if that...) mantis shrimp, 1.8 kgs of live rock (4 lbs) and the tank is only a small 20 Litre with undergravel filter.
(this is a temp tank for this fellow, eventually he will be moved up into his own 30 gallon tank)

Set up with crushed coral and live rock, with natural seawater. witnessed my LFS set up there own mantis shrimp tank like this in a day, and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, (since i had an identical tank lying around i figured no worrys)

 

[FLESHY]

Post some pictures! We would love to see the little guy.

 

[Nyghtfire]

Post some pictures! We would love to see the little guy.

i will, when he starts to trust me a bit more, spent the better part of the last 90 minutes in a staring contest, i don't know anymore who's studying who. we are just watching each other.
intelligent little guy, and has his head poking out when i'm around, and when i tried to show him to family, he hid away.
i pulled out the camera around 30 mins ago, and he hid quick smart again,took 15 minutes or so for him to come back to watching me.

I'm quite taken with the little fella, and he's a beautiful specimen.
now to name him....