Tank dimensions. Whats the difference?

[robvia]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of different tank dimensions?
Take for instance a 90 gallon tank.
Mine is 6 feet left to right, 12 inches front to back and 24 inches of water depth. It is great for viewing. I can see things very easy. I could put quite a bit of rock in there and give the fish lots of “grazing” area. It’s a long way from end to end, which I would think would be good.
A more standard 90 gallon would be 4 feet left to right and 18 inches front to back and 24 inches of water depth. Advantage would be buying 4 foot lights instead of 6. One 4 feet light is cheaper that two 3 foot lights.
If you dropped to 18 inches of water and kept the 12 inches front to back you would increase to 8 feet in length to keep the 90 gallons of water. Now you need two 4 foot lights. I would think you could create a lot of “grazing” surface on your rock work in this tank.
How would this affect the fish? Tangs like to graze and like swimming room. Would the cube or the long rectangle be better? Does it matter? Is 90 gallons, 90 gallons, and forget what shape?

 

[tizzo]

I think it's more of an appearance thing. I like depth (front to back), I would like to look into my tank and see forever, but I have to settle on 18 inches (for now).

 

[pufferman]

when it comes to choosing a tank shape, is is best to choose the shape that maximizes the surface area. in your case, both tanks have the same surface area. i personally prefer a rectangular shape to a cube. i think the width is not really the biggest concern as long as it is at least 1.5 times longer than the length of the largest fish in the tan. when you have a tank with a longer length (i.e 6ft), your fishes can swim a longer distance at one time without changing the direction...this can actually make fish think that they have more space than there is actually....another advantage is that it can distribute intra/inter-specific aggression more effectively....also a rectangualr tank has more panoramic view...imo.....everyone has a differnt preference...so go with whatever you like.

 

[tizzo]

There is a thread called 500 gallon tank converted to 850 gallons in the reef tank forum that I just bumped, If you notice his tank is VERY deep, and I can't tell for sure but it doesn't look to be THAT wide in the frontal shots. THAT'S MY dream tank!!!! Heck, I think that's everybodies dream tank!

 

[frozenice]

I agree with pufferman, i like longer than higher. And it does give them more room(atleast they think it does). Fish swim left to right not up and down.:notsure: Think about it.

 

[tizzo]

This is wierd, either some of this post got deleted or I'm losing my mind!! When I said depth, I mean front to back not top to bottum. That also contributes to the surface area. And I said earlier, which I also think got deleted, that with a shallower tank, if he ever decided to get a reef, it would be easier and a little cheaper to find lights.

 

[verde_ad]

I have to agree with tizzo on this one. Depth, to me, makes a tank look more misterious. Of course in a tank like steve weast's, his tank is, I belive, 8ft deep. This really makes it feel like it goes on forever. Most of us can't have that kind of freadom with our tanks, but you can do that kind of stuff when you are a contracter and can do alot of the building yourself. Anyway a lot of it is asthetic, so go with what you like.

 

[robvia]

That tank is great, but I don't think I could spend that kind of money to get a 6 or 8 foot by maybe 3 foot viewing window in my family room. I can't imagine that you would see your fish very often. I think that tank is great, but I don't think you would see the fish that are in it. Preference I guess. I want to see all the little things in the tank.

 

[dreeves]

Fish such as Tangs and other strong swimmers would appreciate the longer tank for swimming room...corals could be easier and more plentiful in a shallower (top to bottom)...every tank size has a purpose for whom ever needs the purpose...knowing now what I didnt know when I bought my first "standard" size 90 (48x18x24)...I would have gotton a standard 75 (48x18x20(I think 20))...

 

[tizzo]

No way, no how, not me. The only reason I got the 90 at the time was because it was practically the same price as the 75 (give or take a dollar or two ) anyway now that it's set-up, I am so glad I got the deeper one. Now, I'm shopping for a bigger tank and depth (again- front to back depth) is definately an issue. I want as deep as I can have it and still be able to walk between the tank and the couch... no, no I'm kidding. But if 2 6 foot tanks were side by side but one was deeper I would definately get that one!!!

 

[robvia]

I can understand wanting more water space. My real question was given a fixed water volume, what do the fish like better? There may not be an answer to this question since they like the ocean, but what are the experiences here? More front to back, less water depth? Is it more about how it looks in your room?

 

[robvia]

How about this?
http://www.geocities.com/rvia100/tank2.html
Rob

 

[robchuck]

I think fish like tanks with a lot of surface area and swimming space.
Larger surface areas allow for more gas exchange. Think of standing outside in a group of smokers vs. being in a small room with little ventalation with the same group of smokers. Fresh air cycles through the outside area much easier and freer than through the small room and it's more comfortable to breathe in the outside area. Same thing goes for tanks; more oxygen is able to enter the water and exchange with other gases as the surface area becomes larger.
A tank with good swimming space will naturally have LxW dimensions that accomodate open water swimming and allow fish to turn around comfortably without doing a 3-point turn. I would rather provide width than height for fish, as they do most of their swimming at the same depth in the wild, and don't care much if a tank is 20", 24", or 30" tall.