One big monster tank or two shorter tanks on a frame?

[misterwillguitar]

heya gang,

Ive been really inspired by what I've seen here. I had the idea of adding a monster tank to a recess in my wall in a new home (recess is 20 inch deep, 5 feet wide), and originally thought Id go for a 4 feet high tank that would fill that space. Certainly the plumber/joiners/builders think the idea is easy to build. Was just wondering though, which would be easier to maintain and build, a tank of this size, or having a support structure for two tanks that are shorter? Was just considering stocking the tank, being able to clean it and adding filters etc.

Has anyone got any experience or advice in this realm? One really tall tank vs two shorter tanks of same width?

Mr.Will

 

[Yoimbrian]

It's fairly unanimous that tall tanks are a pain in the ass. Are you tall enough to reach through 4 feet of water to get something on the bottom? I have no personal experience however.


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[Dan F]

My deepest tanks are only 30" and they are kind of a pain. I am pretty short at 5'6" - if you have long arms you may be able to go a little deeper without resorting to doing everything with tongs/grabbers.

The other disadvantage is cost. A 4' deep tank requires very thick glass/acrylic and so the cost could easily be double that of a shallower tank.

All that said, I love the look of deep tanks, so if you are willing to shell out the extra money it could be an impressive display tank.

 

[misterwillguitar]

Heya guys

Thanks for the quick replies!
See I saw a photo of a really big tank that seemed to fill the wall and I was so impressed. and then I saw a few on here which were also amazing.
But then sitting back, same as yourself I was thinking "but the fish need surface area more than depth, so it has no benefits for them" and also there seemed the issue of reaching down to clean.

PLUS it seems that ONE of these 4-5feet tall tanks needs alot more work than 2 or 3 tanks of 18inch-2feet height. Work in terms of prepping the house against damp, tearing out walls and hooking it up to plumbing and heating, and then the getting one's arms in!
It seems one can have two or three of these tanks and they can all be self contrained - or maybe Im missing something again?

Like perhaps three tanks above each other of 5 feet width and 18-24 inch high with different fish in (ie a chubby goldfish tank, with a tropical above it).
So is it worth the DIY plywood for this level of tank, or just get 3 regular tanks for this?

Mr.Will

 

[Vanica]

I would go with 2 tanks around 24 tall. Plenty of depth for any fish you put in there and still will leave enough space between them for proper bracing and enough room to do maintainence.