Tall tank

[Kittenz]

Ok, so I was given a tank which I could imagine doing a lot with. Problem is the height. I guesstimate it's about 1 metre tall, but will go round with a tape measure later. Can this be turned into a reef tank? If so, what sort of lighting would I need?

Thanks!

[bertoni]

It can be used as a reef tank, but keeping very high-light animals at the bottom of the tank might be rather expensive. What are all the dimensions?

[Kittenz]

Don't know for sure yet, gotta go around with a tape measure sometime.

Approx 1.5 metres long, 50cm wide.

[bertoni]

Well, you could try lighting the tank with T5 and using lower-light corals on the bottom. Tall thin tanks are not the greatest, in any case. Aeration is a problem, and the depth does make lighting difficult.

[Kittenz]

Yeah, I could imagine.

I'll take exact measurements as it was quite dark when I saw it.

It's just in my one bedroom house, for me to have volume, it'd be more about the height, can't really fit a two metre + long tank in here

[McTeague]

In my opinion there are many problems associated with tall tanks, here are a few that come immediately to mind:
-very difficult to reach into
-water stacked that high creates a great deal of force per square inch on the floor
-light does not penetrate well to the bottom

[jgrantham7]

I'm doing the conversion in my head, but that sounds like a 90 gal. tank:

4 ft. (L) x 18 in. (W) x 24 in. (H).

Unless it's taller than that.
That's a pretty common size for a reef tank.

[bmrescort]

If it is a meter tall then I believe that would be 36" tall. That would be kinda tall in my opinion.

[Kittenz]

Someone mentioned doing a deep sand bed. Would this have any effect?

[bertoni]

Well, 6 inches of sand would reduce the depth to which the tank need be lit.

[Kittenz]

Okay, here are the measurements! Just been to measure it.

Length: 160 cms
Width: 45 cms
Height: 88 cms

Could this work?

[bertoni]

Sure, why not. It'll be okay.

[rhoople]

With a tank that tall you might want to look into getting Metal Halide lamps. They will reach to the bottom of that tank, and don't be afraid to use a deep sand bed 6"- 8" would be great.
I have a 6" bed in mine, and it's been up almost a year now with no ill effects. People thought I was nuts for doing this, but it has paid off for me. My tank is very stable, and doing just great. Your tank sounds like it will be the same with some time.

[cpl40475]

63inX17.7inX34.6in
http://www.manuelsweb.com/in_cm.htm

[Vinnie71975]

Originally posted by cpl40475
63inX17.7inX34.6in
http://www.manuelsweb.com/in_cm.htm

That is an odd shaped tank. i would go with the highest wattage MH you can find look for a fixture like this one http://www.aquatraders.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=332

With that kind of light output you would be fine with anything you wanted to keep AND you wouldn't need that extra deep sand bed(which i am told can cause problems)

[Kittenz]

Thanks for the help guys