Tank Size/Shape Opinion needed
 

So it looks like I'm moving to a new place in a month and this has me thinking I might create a new tank rather than sticking with the ol' 20G. Now, the amount for room I actually have to work with still needs to be worked out but I want to get everyone's opinion on some tank sizes and shapes that can work with equipment I have.

I because I am a poor grad student I have to rent apartments and so I'm usually limited to a maximum size of about 30 gallons; the tank I am looking to change is 20G and it's just... too small.

I have always been a fan of the shallow square tanks (not a cube). I think they're cool because you have some depth (width-wise) to work with and do some nice 'scaping and you can look down into them from above. I am curious though if my light will work with this shape of a tank. Right now I have a 24" aqualight pro 150W with 2-65W actinics. Do you think the light will be alright over a square shape or is the light distribution going to suck?

Also, is there anyone out there using shallow square tanks as a DT? How do you feel about them?

mine's 30X30X18 and I'm liking it. if you want a 30ish gal tank you can go 24X24X12. Lighting doesn't seem to be an issue to me.

hmmm cube is totally for you, i have a shallow cube and i LOVE it. you can go with 24x 24 x 12 and you light will do the trick. Oh thats a 29 gallon tank....
you know what here is a cool formula you can play with for figuring out tank size and dimensions

L x W x H / 231.0087 = volume in gallons.

29.92

you could go with a complete cube and end up with about a 59.8g tank 24x24x24 your light would work. That is a 150w MH with 2-65W actinics yuor would be prity much max for light if you kept some of the sps and a few other things. It would be cool looking tank easy to make your self have glass cut, drilled and you put it together. 1/4" min 3/8" perferd for a tank this size unless tempered but that would cost more.

Bill

Mine is 27 X 24 X 18 with that exact same light and I have had no problems with the light quantity/quality

you could get the standard 33 G tank 36x12x18 LWH

i like the size of the 40G breeder tank 36x16x18 LWH

+1 on the 40g breeder. I'm using one as a sump, but I think it would make a pretty sweet small/mid-size tank. It probably wouldn't work with your existing lighting though so may not be in the books if you're really serious about the budget.

Thanks for the input! Ya, I've be thinking about doing a 24"x18"x16" or a 24"x24"x12" and making a nice stand to go with (likely with a refugium/sump underneath) with a built in hanger for the light so I don't have to use thse stupid legs all the time. I like the extra depth and having a side as big as the front viewing panel. I'm going to have to see what kind of room I have to work with before I can say for certain what I'll be doing.

I'm going to do some Solidworks drawings to get a feel for the look and I'll show everyone for a vote.

Yes, unfortunately I have to work with a budget. As a grad student you don't get much to live on and having expensive hobbies such as this is tough to manage (I'll gladly take parts donations!:mrgreen:). So, this might be the worlds greatest awesome-tank-on-a-budget build.

I'm getting a tank built as we speak.. and should be done next week. Dimensions are 36 x 22 x 16 with internal overflow. Should be sweet!