Anyone have any opinion/experiences with a 144G Half Circle for a Reef Tank?

[tredford8]

It looks like you have mainly softie/LPS in your bowfront now anyways, so the T-5's should be good for them, and then just keep any higher light or SPS near the top of your rockwork and you should be fine.

[banditpowdercoat]

the skinny magfloat will work, but square ones like the 350, not so well. And the scraper, that you glue on to the magfloat. Not so well. WILL scratch the glass if used on curves. Ask me how I know

[Argentiner]

My tank is 30" and I have to use tongs to get at things. Especially with the canopy on top. I have 2 sizes, the big bulky ones and the smaller ones you see people feeding eels with. Use the smaller one all the time.

As long as a algae free magnet with a razor blade can work, it's fine for getting the coraline off. If it won't work, you will have to use the mag float every couple days to not let the coraline start growing. Impossible to get it off when it builds up without the razor blade. I use mine only once in a while when I have to, but didn't find it scratches too bad. I usually use it without the razor blade on, and have an acrylic pad on it.

I have to keep my SPS more than half way up to get any colour on anything but green ones, so if you want SPS, you'll have to aquascape so you a lot of rock up high. Unless you only want a few... I have a constellation 14 bulb T5 light. LPS and softies can go on the bottom easily.

The half circle looks great. Always loved that one in Pisces with the stingray, and is why I got my bowfront.

[Carmen]

Originally Posted by Argentiner

My tank is 30" and I have to use tongs to get at things. Especially with the canopy on top. I have 2 sizes, the big bulky ones and the smaller ones you see people feeding eels with. Use the smaller one all the time.

As long as a algae free magnet with a razor blade can work, it's fine for getting the coraline off. If it won't work, you will have to use the mag float every couple days to not let the coraline start growing. Impossible to get it off when it builds up without the razor blade. I use mine only once in a while when I have to, but didn't find it scratches too bad. I usually use it without the razor blade on, and have an acrylic pad on it.

I have to keep my SPS more than half way up to get any colour on anything but green ones, so if you want SPS, you'll have to aquascape so you a lot of rock up high. Unless you only want a few... I have a constellation 14 bulb T5 light. LPS and softies can go on the bottom easily.

The half circle looks great. Always loved that one in Pisces with the stingray, and is why I got my bowfront.

Awesome Thanks Scott! Not exactly a bowfront but I am going to go for it! The deals is just too good to pass up! I am sure the 30" depth will drive me nuts but the tank has to be worth it!

A Constellation 14 Bulb?? Wow! That's alot of bulbs! Thinking my 6 bulb won't cut it then??? I suppose I will see when it's all set up - I can try out both! I am not an SPS person - I have none! So it is just LPS and Softies but I like bright and sparkly blue/purple!

Thanks everyone!

[Argentiner]

The 14 bulbs are 7 36" and 7 36" side by side, so your 6 bulbs wouldn't be much different since the tank is shorter.

[Carmen]

Originally Posted by Argentiner

The 14 bulbs are 7 36" and 7 36" side by side, so your 6 bulbs wouldn't be much different since the tank is shorter.

Ahh okay that makes more sense! Well I am much more excited now. So we will see MH VERSUS T5!

[Ryan]

Carmen I cant give you an experience on the half circle but I can give you som exxperience with 30" tall tanks. When Mike and I first got into SPS we found a guy locally who was practically giving away his corals. The catch was we had to bag it all and the tank was 30" deep. Both of us were arm pits deep and I got long arms. 30" doesnt seem like much but even going 15" towards the back becomes a LONG reach. Be prepared to use some tongs, or wear a top you dont mind getting a little wet.