Help choosing new tank size!

[reddead38]

Hello everyone!

I just bought a house and i now have room to build my dream tank in the basement! Currently im in the planning stages and i would like some feedback on tank sizes. Right now i am debating on 8x4x4 8x4x3 8x6x4 or 8x6x3

The tank is going to be a plywood build over the next year or so with a glass viewing window on one side probably 7x3. Or 7x2 if i go with a 3' deep tank.

Eventually i would like to keep a few of the bigger monsters like rays, aros, ATF, dorado ect.

What are some pros and cons of these tank dimensions that i might not be considering?

 

[Drstrangelove]

Just a few thoughts:

1) taller tanks will proportionately more per gallon, but not necessarily provide a better home for some species

2) is there a solution to reach the bottom of the tank, especially if the basement ceiling is low

3) is there a solution for humidity

4) is there a solution for water changes

5) will construction be needed, and will that, or the tank itself block exits from the basement (code violations)

6) how will it be deconstructed

 

[reddead38]

Drstrangelove
My thoughts to your concerns

1. This is one reason i was thinking of doing a 3' height instead of 4. I feel like much less than that and i wont have as much viewing window as i would like.

2. The basement is normal ceiling height so i dont think this will be an issue (i can always do a shorter stand, as the sump will be located behind the tank)

3. The tank is already in the basement and there will be several dehumidifiers always running However there is a basement window i could potentially use to make some sort of fan and vent system.

4. Tank is going to be set up on a drip system and plumbed for powered waterchanges via external pumps.

5. Tank will be going into a corner of the basement and then built into a wall with access behind it. So it will be out of the way.

6. Deconstruction wont happen for 10 years minimum, although when the time comes it will most likely require a sawzall as its too big to remove.

 

[TexasMFK31]

1. This is one reason i was thinking of doing a 3' height instead of 4. I feel like much less than that and i wont have as much viewing window as i would like.

Just FYI, 3' height can still be a pain to maintain. Especially if you did 4' to the width and didn't have access on both long sides. My tank with 4' width and 3' tall peninsula is a bit of a pain and I'm 6' tall for reference.

2. The basement is normal ceiling height so i dont think this will be an issue (i can always do a shorter stand, as the sump will be located behind the tank)

No problems I see here, I did the sump behind and it is nice to have for sure.

3. The tank is already in the basement and there will be several dehumidifiers always running However there is a basement window i could potentially use to make some sort of fan and vent system.

If you cover the tank there should be any issue with humidity IME.

4. Tank is going to be set up on a drip system and plumbed for powered waterchanges via external pumps.

Very wise idea.

5. Tank will be going into a corner of the basement and then built into a wall with access behind it. So it will be out of the way.

Keep in mind you got to be able to maintain the back corner you can't get to.

6. Deconstruction wont happen for 10 years minimum, although when the time comes it will most likely require a sawzall as its too big to remove

I hear that, I'm going to have to remove a window and reinstall it when I swap out my new tank with the old.

 

[nzafi]

When you start going over 30in you start having to worry about glass thickness due to pressure. I know 3/4in glass is good enough for 30in, but not sure 36in. If you go 48in deep you probably need closer to 1in.

A 30in tall and large tank is still a pain to clean. I just setup my 8x4x30in tall tank. It is much harder to not get wet and water everywhere when standing in the front of the tank and trying to reach the back.

Think long and hard about putting the tank in a corner. I was forced to put my tank in the corner (1/2in away from the wall) and it stops me from doing any maintenance. The only way to get to that corner is for me to literally get in the tank.

Getting in the tank to do maintenance can be a big problem depending on fish you keep. Non-aggressive, youre probably fine. If you are keeping aggressive fish or anything that gets startles it probably will be a problem.

Humidify is not an issue for me yet, but I made sure that aside for 3 1/2in feeding holes in my lids, there are no other gaps in my tank

Good luck with it.