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

Carmen · #1 10-16-2009, 09:37 PM

Looking for anyones personal opinions/experiences on a 144 G Half Circle Tank being used as a reef tank. I have found a Half Circle for a pretty goof price and am going to take a look at it tonight but am wondering how difficult this may be to work with. It is 57.5" X 29" X 29". I LOVE my 72 G bowfront but am ofcourse wanting to go bigger. I am finding many options in traditional tanks but the bow jacks up the price so much that I have not found a feasible option (used). Can't afford new.

I understand there is some distortion as there is with the Bowfront but I am not bothered by that with the bow. is the circle much worse?

How are these for cleaning the glass? Can a magfloat scraper be used?

Any other advise you have to offer would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

Carmen

Leah · #2 10-17-2009, 12:50 AM

Carmen, I really can't see why it would be any different than a bow or wave for that matter. I think it could be an amazing tank. You will probably have a better idea once you see it. Very

Good-luck hope it works out, keep us posted

kien · #3 10-17-2009, 01:07 AM

I think that if the magfloat is important to you then you should take one over there and try it out to be sure the arc won't be an issue. Would suck to get that tank home and all set up only to be annoyed by having to stick your hand in there everytime you needed to clean some algae off. Again, only if that's portant to you. I know lots of people who don't even use magfloat :-)

Carmen · #4 10-17-2009, 02:30 AM

Thanks guys.
I went to take a look and it's a beautiful tank! Love it ofcourse but I have some concerns.
How do people find the 30" tall tanks? I know set-up will be a challenge because I probably can't even reach the bottom

but once set-up, is general maintenance tough? Do you find yourself constantly going "swimming"?
I think the magfloat will still work but would love to hear from someone with an actual half-circle.

Sump is a small sump with an external ETSS skimmer and an external pump. Would probably use a larger sump to accomodate an internal pump?? Not sure of pros, cons on this. Also the Skimmer I know nothing about.

The lights are an Aqualife 2 X 250 MH with 2 X PC
My question too is can I use 6 bulb Tek in a 30" tank or will it not reach the bottom???

So many things to think about....

tredford8 · #5 10-17-2009, 03:13 AM

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 · #6 10-17-2009, 03:19 AM

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