Greetings all. I am considering a reef tank 3' high, 6' long and 30" deep (front to back). I like the aesthetic appeal of a high tank, but am I asking for trouble? What are the down sides of a high tank. Is this doable? Thanks very much for your thoughts. This tank would be viewable from both sides with live rock stacked in the middle.

Hi sock and :welcome: to TR.

This could be a cool tank! Off the top of my head, lighting could be a problem. It is generally accepted that 1 bulb will cover a 2'x2' area so you will have an extra 6". Maybe you could mount the lights higher to create a bigger footprint but it is such a deep tank that it will be hard to get light all the way to the bottom if you are going to have corals. I think that you would have to be conscientious of oxygen exchange. And, you will need to think about how you will keep the glass clean.

Hey sock, welcome to TR.

This will be a huge undertaking. The following should give you things to consider as you go along. These suggestions are simply my opinion.

Your tank would be around 330 gallons and would require careful planning to be successful. One of the problems would be sufficient flow and variable patterns of flow. You would need to push around 6,600 gph as a minimum, more would be better. You can accomplish this from a variety of sources. The main pump taking water back from the sump/refugium and several internal pumps like the Koralia from Hydor or Vortec and others. Lighting, as mentioned above, would be challenging but do able. With a tank that size I would consider an RO/DI unit plumbed into the sump along with calcium reactor, a kick-butt skimmer, a UV Sterilizer, Phosphate reactor and it's likely you'll need a remotely located chiller. Your stand would have to be professionally welded tubular steel powder coated to protect it from corrosion, or marine grade aluminum. It has to hold up under tremendous weight. Just tossing some approximate weight considerations out...

Water = 2,800 lbs
LR = 500 lbs minimum
LS = 600 lbs if you go with 5" DSB
Tank = 500 lbs estimated if Acrylic, if glass 3x that.
Total = 4,400 lbs 5,400 if glass is used (all estimates)

Plus all the other gear in the stand and the weight of the water in the sump/refugium.

You'd have to be sure your floor could support the weight, too.
Cleaning the inside of a tank that deep is a real pain in the arm pit.

And then there's the cost of everything. I could see you hitting $30,000 easily.

Just my thoughts as you contemplate your new project.

Dick

Thank you, CarmieJo and Amhibious, very much. The plan is to have 2 of these tanks end to end for a total of 12' of aquarium. I am looking at glasscages.com for the aquariums and may just go with the 31" high. I appreciate your words of wisdom. Would it be possible to fit all the needed equipment under the tanks. Thanks for the warm welcome to TR.

Wow, 12' of aquarium viewing would make an awesome diplay. I think the lower height would be better and not take anything away from it's grandeur. If I were you, knowing what I know, I would check out all available aquarium sources, including Acrylic.

I think you could easily fit the necessary equipment under the stands.

Dick

Wow! TWELVE FEET! That would be just breathtaking!

Thanks Carmie for your inspiration. Breathtaking is what I am after. Breathless with exhaustion and frustration if things don't go right is what I want to avoid. A deep high tank looks good but adds difficulty. Any idea how those with high tanks get to the bottom for maintenence. I think some big tongs and a plastic shovel would help or perhaps my scuba gear.

This tank would be viewable from both sides: Is an overflow on each end of a 6' long tank advisable or is one end enough?

Thanks very much

It is even a bit hard to get to the bottom of my 22" deep tank. I use one of the long handled scrapers and a mag float. How long are your arms? I could never reach another foot even with the scraper but I am pretty short.