Is a 60" Tank a Bad Idea?

Zen685 · #1 12/19/2007, 09:37 PM

I'm looking into getting a 60"x18"x25" tall tank from Glass Cages. It's the perfect size for my room but I'm afraid I will have a problem lighting it. It's not a very standard size so I'm guessing there will be some issues since most lights are 48" or 72". Does anyone have any experience with this?

BTW, my lighting plan is 3 250W MH with DIY lumenarc style reflectors (already built) and T5 actinic.

ctreefer · #2 12/19/2007, 09:48 PM

Here are a couple links to some 60" builds I've followed for some time. I have a 120 long which is about the same dimensions as what you plan on building. Might I suggest looking into oceanic as they still make 60" tanks and don't have the reputation GC has. I have a FOWLR so I only use PC's and have an orbit fixture over the tank. These are good reads in the thread and some nice builds and should provide some good insight.

good luck!

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...e=25&pagenumbe
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-02/totm/index.php

Zen685 · #3 12/19/2007, 10:07 PM

Thanks ctreefer. I subscribed to that build thread. He's building the exact same lighting setup I'm thinking about doing over the Christmas holiday!

I've read a lot of the bad reviews for Glass Cages but I've also read a lot of good reviews. I'm going to chance them for the price. The price difference should let me get upgrade to starphire.

maxima k2 · #4 12/19/2007, 10:37 PM

I have a 60" tank and only use 2 lumenarc III over it. I could not get a third to fit over the tank.

ZC · #5 12/19/2007, 10:48 PM

I also have a 60" tank and only use 2 250's over it. However I also threw in a 96w quad PC in the middle just to have more lighting over the middle section.

I also second the oceanic tank for GC, just a better company to deal with and have a way better rep. Just my 0.02

Zen685 · #6 12/19/2007, 10:54 PM

The one I built is only 14" across so I assumed I would need 3 to get even lighting over the full 60" Do you have a picture of your tank maxima?

SFeST · #7 12/19/2007, 11:31 PM

I got 60" T-5 retro from reef geek to go over my 60" tank. Including endcaps, the lights are actually only 59" so they fit in the hood perfectly.

AZDesertRat · #8 12/20/2007, 09:19 AM

My tank is 60" and doing well. I have 2x250w Reeflux 10k and 2x140w URI VHO Super Actinics with PFO Parallel reflectors and everything thrives.

andrewkw · #9 12/20/2007, 09:24 AM

It depends what you want to keep. My tank is 60" I don't want the light to be perfectly even. I need lower light spots for things like blastos ect. I run two 250's as well.

gabe3d · #10 12/20/2007, 09:24 AM

Doesn't look like you will have any problem since you got your MH lighting setup already and T5s come in 60''.

I use to have a 60'' tank and ran 2 large L3s with VHOs and it was well lit. Not related to your original question but I'll let you have my thought on it

. My tank was almost the same dimension as yours (60x18x20) and I hated the depth. If you can get a 24'' deep i think it will look better for aquaspacing.

Zen685 · #11 12/20/2007, 05:58 PM

I'm definitely going with a 25" tall tank. My original plan was for a 48x24x25 120 gallon but it wouldn't fit well in my house. I didn't know there were so many 60" tanks out there. I'd like to see some pictures if anyone wants to post one.

homebrewdude · #12 12/20/2007, 06:35 PM

My current tank is 60"
and my new one will also be 60"

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1240993

Canarygirl · #13 12/20/2007, 07:08 PM

My tank is a 120 g. 60" long, 24" tall, and 20" deep. I like the length but it is challenging to fit lighting. I now use 2-250 watters in Luminarc mini's. I'm looking into T-5's because the shimmering from the halides is giving me migraines (I think)

IMO the 2 problems with your proposed tank are 1) GlassCages as the builder, and 2) 18" as the depth.

It is really a pain aquascaping a tank that's only 18-20" deep. I break branches every time I clean the class. Go with 24" deep and you won't regret it.

checkinhawk · #14 12/20/2007, 07:13 PM

my tank is 60x24x24,i have it lit by three 250w de and two 48"vho actinics.

Zen685 · #15 12/20/2007, 07:48 PM

I can't fit a 24" wide tank where I'm putting it otherwise I would. I love the side view of a tank.

maxima k2 · #16 12/20/2007, 08:40 PM

Here you go! This is 60x36x25 lit by 2 Xm 10K and 2 T5HO 48 inches. I know it looks bad, I took an 8 month hiatus from my tank. I had RBs and most of my stuff died. I gave up and almost sold it. My wife said take a break so I did. All I have done to this in the last 8 months is a few water changes, cleaned the pumps, and fed the fish. A bout a month ago I scraped at least 6 months worth of coraline and algae off the glass. Let me tell you, it was not fun. I was burnt out and now I have gotten the itch back http://

AZDesertRat · #17 12/20/2007, 11:20 PM

Here is mine: