144g Oceanic Half Circle tank

[pantinor]

http://www.elmersaquarium.com/k40144ochalf.htm

A friend is thinking of getting this as his starter tank, fish only with live rock at first, and wondering if anyone has experience with the half circle shape (maybe regarding lighting or water flow).

Any feedback or suggestions appreciated. Thanks,

-Paul

 

[Armando]

I have a 1/2 1/2 tank. Also called Corner Tank

It's a great tank. The only problem is that the curved glass makes it nearly impossible to get good pictures.

 

[smcnally]

I think I would get dizzy looking in that curved glass. Cool looking tank though.

 

[Michael Mota]

Isaw one of those in the lfs last weekend and i thought man what a nice tank but not for me at that price,lol

 

[dz6t]

it is hard to keep the glass clean, harder to scrap.

 

[etszoo]

I think you would need to be a little creative with lighting. Plumbing and flow would be
actually easier (IMO) due to currents that could be created with the curved glass.
I agree with Armando though, pics are difficult at best with curved glass.

 

[scubaD]

Hi. I am the friend Paul refers to. We (my wife and I) are still evaluating, reading, and planning. We really like the half circle. It gives us more volume with less length. We have a limited length available. Everything we have read says bigger is better/easier so we want to go big. We have also given up the idea of fish only. We love the coral and invertabrates. I am a little discouraged to hear it is impossible to take decent pictures. I am an avid amateur photographer. Does the photo limitation apply to bowfronts as well then? Hmmm, more to think about. Thank you everyone.

David

 

[RichConley]

If the major consideration for the half-circle tank is the length of the available space, you may want to talk to glasscages, or any of the other custom tank builders around. If you decide the circle is too much for photos etc. Cube style tanks might work for you.

The 144 gallon is roughly 58 inches long. If you can fit 60", you could get a custom 60" X 30" X 30" tank. (57.9x29x29 for circle) That would be roughly 230 gallons. With the price you're looking at for a circle type aquarium, make sure its exactly what you want. Custom is always an option.

 

[scubaD]

Thanks for the info Rich. Length is a cosideration. The idea of the half circle is that when we are sitting on the couch watching TV, the aquarium will be diagonally to our left in front of us. We were thinking the half circle would give us a good view at that angle, whereas a rectangle we would be looking at the corner.

David

 

[agent6473]

I personally like flat front tanks. I think its much easier to see everything. The curved glass always seems to distort things a bit.

 

[etszoo]

The bowfront does distort the depth of field. It is just the angle and the subject you need to think about. It is certainly not impossible. I say do it!
-Eric

 

[Eliot]

Looking at the corner isn't as bad as you think. The way the light goes through the water you see the same fish through both sides and it looks like you have twice as much stuff.

 

[nitrofish]

you could get away with this:

190 Gal. tall 60 x 24 x 31 $550
glasscages.com

 

[testhead1313]

I agree, the distortion kills me. I'd go with a flat front.
Chris

 

[JeremyR]

Oceanic kills you for price on oddball/custom tanks.. we do all of our tanks like that thru a different party for probably half the price.

Glasscages is pretty low quality, after seeing their work in person I can't see trusting them with a big tank or calling it living room quality.

 

[DEIGNAN14]

distortion? Ive got a 92 corner and have never noticed distortion...

 

[smcnally]

distortion? Ive got a 92 corner and have never noticed distortion...

Curved glass really freaks some peoples eyes out. I love the look of bowfronts, but they bother me to look into from up close after awhile.

 

[stevenp]

These guys do a really nice job with custom aquariums. I visited someone that had a 240 gallon tank they built. Starfire glass, dual external overflows... I think he paid $2200 delivered by freight to his front door. It was a stunningly beautiful tank...

They also quoted me a 156 (same dimensions as Oceanic) reef ready at a competetive price to Oceanic.

http://www.miraclesaquariums.com/

Steve

 

[scubaD]

So we took a multi-state aquarium tour today. Saw Paul's aquarium and another friend's as well. Both are standard rectangle. Checked Paul's out from the diagonal and it wasn't so bad. You do get 2 views of the same fish. Kind of cool like that. Did also have the oppurtunity to put my nose right up to a bowfront. Looking straight on looked great, turn your eyes to the side and everything becomes distorted. I think we have decided to go with a more standard rectangle shape. Thank you all for your input and links.

David