Tank Size, What Is Standard?

[Tetraking]

Hi all, just got a quote for the tank i am getting soon, the size of tank i want to fit the space i have is 72" x 16" x 16". Just out of interest today i phoned the lfs and they said "oh thats not a standard size, we will get back to you" they came back with the price of £350 for the tank only, no hood or stand, i think i could get this cheaper by going direct to the company i think the lfs deal with but my question is: What is a standard size 6ft tank and would it make it cheaper to buy if i decide to get a so called standard size?

I only want the tank as i am going to build the stand and hood but £350 seems like a lot to me, what do you guys think?

 

[Colin_T]

Standard size tanks are measured in feet or 18inch increments. A 6x18inchx18inch or a 6x2x2ft is a more standard size. If you order anything that is not 18inches/ 2ft high or wide it will probably be called odd size and a custom made tank will be ordered costing you a lot more.
Just get a standard size tank and make the stand to suit. Go to the LFS and measure a tank up so you get the correct sizes to work with.
350 pounds is a lot of money for that size tank, regardless of the fact it is a custom made one.

 

[wreckster]

Wharf Aquatics have a listing of what they determine standard size tanks (and they are a lot less than £350

Wharf Aquatics Standard Tanks

Edit
Didnt read their page fully - Not that much cheaper for a 6' tank but their standard size is 6'x2'x2' (72"x24"x24")

 

[Tetraking]

Thanks colin, i thought it sounded expensive, i will price up a 72" x 18" x 18" and take a look to see if i could fit in the room

72" x 18" x 18" would be considered standard am i right?

Wharf Aquatics have a listing of what they determine standard size tanks (and they are a lot less than £350

Wharf Aquatics Standard Tanks

Edit
Didnt read their page fully - Not that much cheaper for a 6' tank but their standard size is 6'x2'x2' (72"x24"x24")

Many thanks wreckster, its nice to hear £350 is no much, 24" x 24" maybe to big for place its going.

 

[Colin_T]

the other thing you want to check is the quickness of the glass. Some places will sell a 6x18x18 tank made from 8 or 10mm glass and it will cost a lot more than the same size tank made from 6mm glass.
A 6x18x18 will normally be made with a 6-8mm base (preferably 8mm) and 6mm sides.
If the tank is 2ft wide or 2ft high it should be made from 10mm all over. eg: 6x2x2ft should be 10mm base and 10mm sides. A 4x2x2ft will be the same, 10mm base and 10mm sides.

You could get a tank that is 6ft x 2ft high x 18inch wide. That will cost less than the price of a 6x2x2ft and give you height but not take up as much in width. That size tank would be 10mm base & 10mm sides.