How common is this tank size??

[Jason]

I'm looking into purchasing a 150 gallon tank which has the following dimensions. 40L*29W*30H

The guy says it was store bought but I don't recall ever seeing a tank with these dimensions in any store. Have you?

The only ones that comes to mind are the larger display tanks in the fish rooms at BA's and Superpet.

The reason I like this tank is the fact that it's compact (for a 150g that is)and was thinking of making this into my first salt water set up.

[FishPassion]

Not sure how common a size this is, just wanted to let you know if you are going to salt, depth of tank and light penetration. Plan ahead because a 30 inch depth tank will be harder to penetrate with light than a 24 inch depth.
Klaus

[Jason]

So what type of lighting would this tank need if I did make it a SW tank? Would one 400w MH and two antnics be enough? Or would it be better to go with a FOWLR for this depth.

[Jason]

Ok I just went to see the tank and my dimensions were off. It's 30L*29W*40H.

[BigDaddy]

a 40 inch high tank?  yuck.  Who wants to maintain a tank that's almost 3 and 1/2 feet tall!

[FishPassion]

My 65 hex is 36" high and sitting on an 18" steel stand totalling 4'5" in height and I have a 12 inch custom top with halides in it. I am 6'6 in height and have a terrible time reaching the bottom of it. If you are getting this tank at a really good price and it is in awesome shape it would make a very nice display tank. You will have to do some homework as to what you are going to stock this tank with if going reef. FOWLR is an easier alternative as you will not have issues with lighting and flow and please dont forget flow, as I have been working on my 65hex for many mths to accomplish a proper flow due to my rock coming up 3 feet at the back of the tank. It can turn out stunning but it takes alot of time patience and research to get your reef working properly in a tank like this.
If you want to take a haul out to my place and see my hex you are more than welcome and I can give you a lot of ideas as to what WILL work in a tank like this.
Regards
Klaus

[Jason]

Thanks Klaus I just might take you up on that offer. I ended up getting the tank by the way, I found it looked so unique and the price was so good that I figured I'd give it a shot.

So "if" I wanted to go reef what would be the best lighting to penetrate the 40" depth?

[BigDaddy]

The strongest metal halide you can find

[Jason]

Do you think one 400w MH would be enough or say 1 400w and 1x175w-250w

[veron]

1000 watter if your going corals on a tank that deep. would look nice with a 20k

[FishPassion]

Send me a pm and we can talk on the phone sometime for a start.
Im kinda grining here but yep the guys are right Bigdaddy and Veron you will need one kickass bulb ta light it, depending on what you are putting in that tank. Butttttttttttt you can still make a reef tank out of it with less lighting it all depends on what you put in there. Gimme a call sometime and we can chat, theres always a way to beat the odds...

[yellowtang]

In such a deep tank. I would suggest a dual 400watts MH.
However.........if you're keeping just softies then a dual
250watts MH will do he trick supplemented with either T5s
or PCs.
IMO. 

[babblefish1960]

You tell him fishpassionate guy, there are no hard and fast rules at the edge of the envelope, and I'm sure it will all turn out amazingly well, from a certain point of view. You'll be getting inventive about how to reach the bottom for maintenance and such, but you'll manage just fine. This is one setup I would love to see a picture of.

In fact, you may want to create a picture catalogue of the process to show us all how you solve the setting up of a deep tank when it's longer than your arms.(it is longer than your arms right?)  Good luck with that.

[FishPassion]

Hey there oh Babbler one, yep my tank is deep and I have to stand on my tiptoes if you can picture that, not a pretty site hehehe. But so far it has been very doabl altho I am very much a newbie here yet, I try to learn and experiment specially with flow lighting etc. I have one 250 watt mh and probably around 95 lbs of rock give or take piled up the back of the hex to the top. low light corals and non photosynthetic on the bottom to middle and middle to top lps. I dont have nor will I attempt sps found out Im to much of a clutz with them and the 250 watt bulbs I use in the tanks are well, mediocre for that application...

[Jason]

Ok I started looking around for MH lighting and found this ad.

http://www.usedottawa.com/classified-ad/2106714&category=building-supplies

Would this do the trick?

I did a search with the model number and found this site with some specs.

http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/b.pl/m400u.html

[FishPassion]

All of the lighting that I have purchased is intended for aquarium use the item you are showing and I am not an electrician looks to be some type of either street or warehouse lighting.
I looked at the alternative route at the beginning and tried finding lighting that would suit. It usually costs you more money and doesnt work. Research sites and see what others are using. I learned and try as much as possible to research every light, coral fish etc that goes in my tank. Its not an inexpensive hobby and mistakes will cost you money so eventually you end up purchasing the proper item or piece anyways.
You really have to plan and know what you are going to put into your tank Before you start. Reef, fish only etc ??

[Seanc]

I am using street type lights for my fixture. I have two 175watt MH on my 120, and they work perfectly fine. But mine are weather resistant so that makes them more suitable for aquarium use. but if you made a proper canopy, and got rid of the reflectores they have, and do everything right it can easily work.