Bowfronts

[jrnannery]

Hey guys, I have some questions. What is the general feeling on the matter of bowfront reef tanks? Before long, I would like to start planning a bowfront tank build. I think that it would fit in with the design of my house better than a regular flat-face tank, I think the wife would agree (bonus) because it would feel more contemporary, and I generally think they are cool!

Questions are:
1. Acrylic or glass -- I have no experience with acrylic, and just don't think I would prefer it...or if they make 'em out of plastic.

2. How tough are they? -- I don't know how strong the bond is between a curved piecve of glass mating to a flat edge. Pretty strong, I guess. They've been used with good success, I wager, no?

3. How much do you prefer yours over a flat-face tank?

Thanks
Richard

[Europhyllia]

I manage to scratch glass just fine so acrylic would not even be an option for me

I was just shopping for a corner bowfront and after talking to a previous bowfront owner I decided against it and went with a cube instead (less distortion -optical- and more stability) After having a 125g burst on me I am all about stability...

[Mr Cob]

I had a 144 half circle....distortion on it is much less than a bowfront....but I do love bowfronts. I saw a very nice one tonight... Robert's! GsXtC_21

I found that distortion is not bad if you are looking straight on. If you look around without moving your body then the distortion can be bad.

So...I'm just commenting on aesthetics. Listen to Karin about stability.

[jrnannery]

Two sorta-strikes in a row! Please, everyone else chime in. I want to hear everything.

[Mr Cob]

You can count mine as a +

...because I would buy a bowfront for a display tank. I would be careful about a used one....but definitely a new one. I would love to have a large one in the wall. Honestly, I go for aesthetics first and deal with the rest later... that has gotten me in trouble a few times though.

[TaknByD]

I have a 55g corner bow front tank... I absolutely love my tank... But I only find one draw back to have an odd shaped tank. Finding the right lights to fit right was a little pain to me. My wife actually just bought me a 36" T5 setup with 4 bulbs that are working fine. My stand is lacking a place to hide a sump so I am using a canister filter on it with a skimmer hanging on the back of the tank. I just started up my tank about 3-4 months ago so it's still a work in progress. I love the way that mine fits in the corner and bows out... It seems to save room and like Mr. Cob said there is not much distortion when looking straight on. And mine is glass and I have had no problems with scratches or whatnot... Purchased mine at a petsmart (didn't know any better at the time) about 6 years ago, and it's been a great investment... Good luck to you... :D

[tebstan]

You can count mine as a +

...because I would buy a bowfront for a display tank. I would be careful about a used one....but definitely a new one. I would love to have a large one in the wall. Honestly, I go for aesthetics first and deal with the rest later... that has gotten me in trouble a few times though.


Good points.

Years ago... hmm, maybe 6 or 8... the bow fronts got a bad reputation. They were busting at the seams and the frequent leaky reviews still stick in some people's memories. They haven't had that problem in recent years, though. So new is good, used is sketchy.

Aesthetics is what it's all about. If you like the curved glass, go for it. It can look really sharp.


Edit... okay maybe it was more like 8 or 10 years ago... I'm getting old.

[kkiel02]

The only problem I have is the distortion. I like the way round glass fits into a more contemporary home but the whole moving around the tank to get the right perception I think may get old. Then again you may get used to it. Also take note I have not owned one just seen them. An exagerated example would be the full circle at sea world.

I would also go glass up until 250 gallons unless you use AGE. The pvc bottom makes the tank ALOT lighter. For example- We moved a 300 g AGE with 4 people pretty easy, my 360 g DSA took 6 people and was pretty hard.

[allan]

This just from a visitors point of view.

I believe I've seen Rob's half circle, and I know I've seen Mizeny's a few times.

Both were awesome! The glass seems to have a magnifying effect that really can give you an up and personal view.

But even with my somewhat lengthy arms cleaning the glass would prove problematic as I prefer to scrape up and down. With the curved glass you have to get it side to side.

[Mrs. z28pwr]

I currently have a 144 half circle and love it. It does give you a little bit of a distortion but not nearly as much as a bowfront and as Allan mentioned cleaning it is a little bit diferent instead of going up and down you have to go side to side. I use a mag float with a blade on the end and it makes cleaning very easy, but without it you will be in misery trying to clean the tank. For a reef I would prefer glass unless you are going with a large bowfront tank (300+) than I would probably go with acrylic.

[jrnannery]

So, a new (recent construction) glass bowfront, carefully hand-chosen with an eye towards limiting distortion, with a trick, one-off LED lighting system, preferably with dark-cherry furniture to match our living room set would be the ticket!! I would also need a well- and purpose-built sump of maximum gallonage to facilitate my crazy water-purity endeavors. Sounds like a plan.

Thanks
Richard

[Teeb]

Sounds like a plan.


Sounds like a loan.:)

[jrnannery]

LOL

[jrnannery]

I have a 55g corner bow front tank... I absolutely love my tank... But I only find one draw back to have an odd shaped tank. Finding the right lights to fit right was a little pain to me. My wife actually just bought me a 36" T5 setup with 4 bulbs that are working fine. My stand is lacking a place to hide a sump so I am using a canister filter on it with a skimmer hanging on the back of the tank. I just started up my tank about 3-4 months ago so it's still a work in progress. I love the way that mine fits in the corner and bows out... It seems to save room and like Mr. Cob said there is not much distortion when looking straight on. And mine is glass and I have had no problems with scratches or whatnot... Purchased mine at a petsmart (didn't know any better at the time) about 6 years ago, and it's been a great investment... Good luck to you... :D

Was the Petsmart part of it a mistake, or something? I see that Petsmart has a 25% off sale on all their tanks right now. I really have no idea what the designation, "Reef Ready" is, but none of the tanks I saw last night had it. I have seen it before, though. And, I believe the largest they had was a 55.

Any problems with your tank, which is a Marineland tank, I presume?

Thanks
Richard

[tebstan]

Reef Ready tanks are already drilled with overflows installed. It's best to buy it that way if you're buying new anyway, for the warranty and no risk of breaking glass.
PetSmart probably won't have RR tanks in stock since they don't sell SW. They might be able to order it though. A lot of their stock is automatic replenishment from sold inventory, but on large items the managers have some discretion.

The bow fronts can also come in a 72 RR. There is a 92 corner RR. There is a 155 bow front, but I don't think it comes in a RR. It's awesome though.

[jrnannery]

I've seen a 72 bow front in action, and I really appreciate the size. If it is a RR, then I may go larger, just to reclaim that lost area from the overflow. I know it is a negligible loss, but I'm sure I'll miss it! Yeah, seems like RR is the way to go.

[ismvel]

There is a 155 bow front, but I don't think it comes in a RR. It's awesome though.

And even if you go with this size, there are folks on this site who drill tanks to make it reef ready. Which is pretty easy to do. I have done it myself and have had someone else do it for me, as long as the glass isn't tempered it is a fairly simple project. Just a thought.

[nrkolas]

I have a 46g bow n I love it so u should get one case closed 8)

[nrkolas]

I have a 46g bow n I love it so u should get one case closed 8)

[Reefer4ever]

I have a 36 bowfront and I love it! You should get one! :D

[tebstan]

And even if you go with this size, there are folks on this site who drill tanks to make it reef ready. Which is pretty easy to do. I have done it myself and have had someone else do it for me, as long as the glass isn't tempered it is a fairly simple project. Just a thought.

I'm pretty sure the bottom and front panel on bows are tempered.

The 155 is impressive. It's 6ft long, and 2ft at its widest point of the bow. I've only seen one once, they're not very common. I don't normally care for bows that much, but that one was sweet.

[jrnannery]

Bow to the 155 tank!!!

[jrnannery]

Ok, folks. My wife and I have come to agree on the type of tank - a bowfront, and where to put it. Problem is, I want a tank over 100 gallons...maybe WAY over. However, the wall we are going to place it on is 60 inches (actually 66, but I don't want it touching my bar or going right up to the edge of the wall). Glass bowfront sizes seem to go 'everything below 72 gallons, 72 gallons, and 155 gallons.'

Seventy-two gallon tanks are 48 inches long, and 155 tanks are 72 inches. Is there a problem with glass curvature or something that says they can't make a 120+ gallon tank that is in the range of 55-60 inches in length?

[StevenSeas]

It is just that 5' tanks arent all that common anymore. it requires more specialized fixtures and bulbs that are in awkward sizes etc. Not to say that you cant get one custom built.

[jrnannery]

Standardization!! Drat!! So, that's it, then?

I was told about DSA, or DAS. Supposedly Dallas Aquarium Systems. Anyone heard of them?

[Europhyllia]

Deep Sea Aquatics - DSA. Got my tank from them through Gabe (the large 215g)

[vman181]

I have an older 72 RR BF. The overflow is on the left side if your facing the tank. The newer ones have it in the middle. I would love to get one that is a 175BF. I think those are the best looking ones out there.