Reef Tank Depth question...

I debated which forum to put this in... Lighting... I built this... so I went with the General Reef Topics....

I understand that for light penetration the deepest I normally see coral tanks is 24-36". Most seem to be 24". I get the physics... light sources for aquariums aren't strong enough to get enough light deep enough to keep the corals healthy without "excessive" light sources that would drive up electricity costs and heat.

Two questions...
1) Assuming LED lights... what the deepest you'd go on a coral reef tank??

2) If one were to go deeper than that... and only put coral in the upper 24" of the tank... how do you think that would work??

Thanks in advance for your thoughts... I debating a new build for my living room... I have a completely vacant wall begging for a big tank.... 12' by 4' footprint floor to ceiling available.... plus a sump room behind that wall... Thus, I am thinking 8-10' tank length... 3' width to keep room for plumbing behind... the question is tank depth....

If I do 3' depth, I have 3' under the stand.... but I want all my sump stuff in the sump room so I can access it easier... so what do I do with all that space under the tank... seems a waste to do nothing with it.... deeper tank or something else????

Thanks
Mark

 

I tend to lean toward a shallower tank due to the reasons you stated, along with the heat factor (more light= more heat). That said, there are a few corals that would prefer lower light. I think you'll find plenty to put in the cabinet under the tank.

 

There are some LEDs like the Ecoxotic Cannons that can go deep. How deep I can't recall but they are used on public aquariums. That said, I would measure from your finger tips to your armpit and not go deeper than that.

 

I have seen par levels for 3 watt Cree diodes that can support LPS at 30 inches with the right lenses. You may end up with some spot lighting though depending on the arrangement. So at 30 inches for LPS you could go deeper than that for lower light coral, but as Matt pointed out, much deeper than that you may need a scuba respirator.

 

I thought AI lights with 50 degree lenses are supposed to penetrate that deep, am I wrong?

 

How much par do you want at 24", 600 par? ok, here you go.
https://reefledlights.com/shop/reefspectrum-genesis-3-pro-2/

Oh, would you like 700 par? That just costs a little more money.
https://reefledlights.com/shop/cri-reef-genesis-3/

This (IMO) is one of the better high end LED lights I've found. I have an order for one of their lights for my new tank, I just am excited for it to get here!!
These guys (that build) these lights are amazing. The owner is going to be at the Aquatic Experience doing a talk/presentation. He's the most friendly guy ever, who will talk my ear off about LEDs and corals forever! I love it!

Anyway, you're depth thru me. Anytime, I'm thinking towards the ceiling, that's height, depth is how far away from me. Like in photography, Depth of Field. Anyway, in my local club there was a dude who had a 400g tank. He was seriously considering getting a full-face scuba mask so he could reach everywhere in his tank. There is something to be said about too big, especially if there's something that fell back into that corner behind that rock and you juuuuuuuuuuuuuust can't reach it.

 

Awesome responses!! Thanks!!!

 

Welcome back bud.

I have been eying the Orphek and Kessil cannons of late. My tank is 37" deep and needs some penetration to get there.

The Orphek 100W version is supposed to be good up to 72" deep and has several different lenses to adjust beam spread. I have yet to see either in person however.... I really hate to drop that much on a single fixture without some eyes on.

besides light... holy crap is it deep. Tongs are a must. I will be using a snorkel and mask to help place corals. Since I have a 34" stand, I need a 6' ladder to even be able to reach in. Gets sketchy.
But... GOD do I LOVE the look a big deep tank.