I just got a 30g marine tank

[MrMashashin]

My mom had a lady hold onto a 30g marine "set up". I'm going to go look at it tomarrow or saturday. I just read on the "starting Marine Tanks" thread that it's better to have a long /shallow tank rather than a short and tall tank. Do you think a lfs will trade me my 30g tall for a 30g long?

 

[Navarre]

What are the dimensions of the tank?

Basically a long tank gives more surface area to the air and thus helps to oxygenate it. he same can be done with a deeper tank as long as high circulation is in the tank (which is what you really want anyway).

I dont think you will fidn the tank will suddenly become impossible if you choose a deeper tank opver a longer one so its really down to you and what plans you have for the system. Deeper tanks look nice to the eye and gives alot of aquascaping choices for corals. Of course the deeper the tank the stronger the lights so this is also an issue to consider and another good reason for choosing shallower tanks as a starter.

 

[MrMashashin]

oh so there's really no difference between the two besides the lighting? The tank comes with everything, sump, skimmer, power heads 2x i think if not their only $20 at walmart, umm oh! live rock, tank (ofcourse) but it needs a stand though. But i would easly buy one from walmart and put aditional supports in it with 2x4s or 4x8s

EDT- umm i think its 24long , 12-14 wide i think, and about 24-26 tall.

 

[n00bie]

Ya, lighting is the biggest diffference. Being deeper is harder for the light to penetrate as well as it would in the shorter tank. Another difference would be the way the water flows in the tank. To me a shorter tank has always seemed to flow water from one end to the other a lot easier because there's jsut less area to push form the side, but that's my opinion.

Of course with a taller more narrow tank, you have to look at livestock a little more differently. There will be less sand surface area for critters to play in so you may have to plan accordingly in that area.

 

[MrMashashin]

so would it be a wise move to go see if the guy at the lfs will trade?

 

[n00bie]

It's worth a shot, but pretty sure they'll pass. As long as you're doing FOWLR, you may not be that bad off. To get good life and growth on your LR, you woudn't need any more than 4watts/gallon. You could do some mushrooms and other low maint stock without much problem. There's lights available around 130 watts that can be had for just over $100 so you could have some happy life on your rock to keep your fish company.

 

[MrMashashin]

Ok i figured out what i'm going to do.

I'm going to keep the tall tank and scape it how i want, get like 2x 150 watt bulbs and see if i can get a new hood that can hold both at the same time.

EDT- 150 watt bulbs will be bought when i can afford them*

 

[Ed4567]

You probably already know all this, but I'm guessing you are refering to metal halide bulbs which need a special ballast and ignitor to work.
Ed