New Tank Question

[wkopplin]

Hi all,

After reading Matt's thread on centerbraces, and having remembered I had mine on my 180 repaired a few years ago, I decided to measure my tank to see if it was bowing. It was 1/4" wider in the middle that the sides and my repaired centerbrace was pulling away from the side. I have decided to retire my 180 and send it off to be a sump and fuge for my new setup.

I am looking at getting either a 180 or a 215 (same footprint). Is the added height of the 215 worth the $300 or so extra dollars? The 215 also has thicker glass and does not have a permanent centerbrace, which I like. Both are Oceanic tanks. It will be a reef tank. I already have three 400 W MH lights, so lighting will not be a problem.

[dan]

for the extra $300 i'd go for a 240gal.i know your trying to stay with same foot print,but $300. whats the price for the 180.maybe the price for the 180 plus the $300 can buy the whole 240.just trying to get you in a bigger tank :idea: you know everybody needs one :skeezy:

[DeletedAccount]

I decided on the 180 instead of the 215 because of the height. Being deeper means less light penetration to the bottom, limiting the corals down there, I think. Plus, think of the stool that will be sitting there since it is a taller tank (even for giants like you).....

[wkopplin]

Hehe. I did not think of that. I would need a ladder. My stand is a higher than normal stand as well. It would probably reach my ceiling. I better go for the 180.

[MikeP]

I have the 215 Oceanic. I like it a lot - true you won't get quite as good light penetration to the bottom but the visual impact is stunning. Also the oceanic one uses 5/8" thick glass and has no center brace so it's very easy to work on the tank. Downside is the weight and cost but it is very very very solid IME. You are welcome to stop by and take a look at mine if you want to see what they look like full of water.

[matt]

Ah, the centerbrace dilemma. Not to hijack the thread, but I've spent most of the last two days clearing the decks for my big tank switch tomorrow. This would have been a nice thing to avoid. At least aqua trends is being nice about it, getting my new tank ready immediately and replacing the narrow centerbrace with a standard one free of charge.

But, on your topic, I've always though that a 180 is an ideal tank shape and size. If you can get one without any centerbrace, that's great. As far as the bowing on your tank, I doubt if 1/4" along a 6' span is any indication of failure. I read once that a feather placed on a steel I beam causes it to deflect a measurable amount. That might be B.S., though....

[wkopplin]

I keep going back and forth. I am not too terribly worried about the 180 I currently have as it has probably been like that for a while. It will make a good sump / fuge. It is not drilled, so a RR tank would be much better.

[alexwolf]

180 gal fuge :shock: