Downsizing help me decide

[kien]

wow, that's actually a pretty nice setup. I really like your minimalist aquascape. But ya, I would be annoyed working on this tank as well, especially since you don't have a sandbed! That's a lot to reach down into the bottom (for me with t-rex arms). Even on my old 90g I had a 2" sandbed and I was still annoyed with the reach. Plus, I can see how scraping the back would make you want to slit your wrists with the kent scraper. Getting down near the bottom on that back wall would be torture (for those of us with short arms).

Anyway! I think it would go a long way to simply shave 4" off the top of this tank, in my opinion.

Even if you put a picture in the back wall you would still want to scrape it to keep it clean so that you could see the picture. Unfortunately scraping the back wall is just a necessary evil. However, there are people who simply don't care about what grows on the back wall and simply let it grow over with whatever. Again, I think lowering the height would make scraping the back A LOT easier and more manageable.

[Coralgurl]

Beautiful tank!!! I can see why you would want something shorter to work on!! Even with a background, the coraline will still grow and given how you maintain your tank, you will still end up scraping the back. Definitely do not go with a tank that is 12 wide, you will end up with rock on the back wall and no room to move around!!

I agree with Shelley, 48x18x18 would be a great size and you can't beat the height!!

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I'm old school. I'd add some taller rocks and raise your aquascaping another 8-10" at least.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I do agree with the others who suggest going with 4' x 18" x 18" if you are downsizing.

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I do appreciate the input. That size would have to be a custom tank (48 x 18 x 18) and I don't really want to go there.

I also looked at the dimensions of the 55 and it's too narrow. The 75 is only 3 inches shorter, if I added a sand bed it would be pretty much the same thing. When your fish start nibbling at your armpits, you know your not fresh right?

I guess I'll just hang onto the 90 and start a journal.

Originally Posted by SeaHorse_Fanatic

I'm old school. I'd add some taller rocks and raise your aquascaping another 8-10" at least.

I had thought about that but I can't figure out how to do it nicely. Plus I would definitely get more par from the T5's.

[subman]

I had a ninety as well and hated the height and how to narrow it was. I love your setup now it looks great I would say having a black background has stopped me from cleaning the back of my current tank (that and I can't do it without a snorkel lol) I would give that a shot first.
Great looking tank either way

Well I got sick and tired of standing on my toes to clean the glass. I spoke to Dave and placed an order for a 48" x 18" x 18". Thanks for everyone's help.

[Enigma]

Originally Posted by ChizerBunoi

Well I got sick and tired of standing on my toes to clean the glass. I spoke to Dave and placed an order for a 48" x 18" x 18". Thanks for everyone's help.

That's going to be a great tank!