I have a new 120 gal acrylic tank, and may be having a stand built for it. I own a stand that is 60X18X40", but it is too high for my tastes.

What is the shortest stand height that would leave adequate room for a sump/refugium, skimmer, eventually a calcium reactor, ballast, etc. etc. I'm thinking somewhere between 24 and 30 inches.

Also - Since I own a used acrylic tank (and tall stand!) which is in good shape but not perfect, and this'll be my first attempt at a reef, I'm thinking of setting up the old tank in the basement as a trainer, going through the cycling, algae blooms, boneheaded mistakes, acrylic scratches, etc.

Once the tank is established and stable, move the sump, water, LR, livestock etc. to the new tank upstairs. Are there any problems with this approach?

Your thoughts, O learned ones?

Thanks!

Some skimmer designs use a quick release for the collection cup which makes the actual height of the skimmer the required working height. Getting any of the items in and out of a cabinet can be tricky, especially the actual sump itself. If you are using a used tank as a sump, they are already 24" tall usually and you will be operating from the top. I enjoy sitting in a chair watching, a couch would be considerably lower, while many want to stand and view. A 30" height seems minimum. Even then I would cut the front/side of the sump down to 12/16" to maintain access. Remember you need some depth above to structurally support the weight and many sumps need lighting above them.

A demonstration tank setup could overflow into the new setup but probably would not just transfer. It would be tricky to shut one down while you install the machinery in a different location. People who move from one geographic home to another will build a new tank and maybe transfer some rock and corals/fish but they do not try to move everything together.

The tank you can view regularly and enjoy without a special trip downstairs will get the most attention & maintenance. Take your time, aquire as much patience as you can find, and try to design the display tank to provide for your future plans. Maybe you could setup the old tank upstairs and practice the plumbing layout while you store the new. Then switch at the live rock aquisition stage.

I'd stick with the taller stand... The stand I am building now for my 125RR is 38" tall! It will be perfect to look at without having to get on my knees to see into the tank! My current tank is a 55 that is just way too low.

My canopy is 23" tall (above tank rim) factor in my crown trim and once set up the whole monster will be 86" tall! Gonna be sweet! :lol:

I measured last night, my stand is 24" high, sits on 3-1/2" curb [like a shower pan] with a 3" sand bed. So the water starts at 30" above the floor and is the perfect height for me in an office chair.

Looks like the consensus is 30".

Mine is about 36" tall, plus 2 feet for the tank. I'll need a stepladder to get to the inside of the tank - it is acrylic and has cutouts to reach around.

I'll either sell the older tank or use it for somethin else - maybe set up a 110 gal FW tank for my Neon Tetras...

Thanks for the input! Hoping to close on the new house in about 6 weeks and get started in May!

ps

I take your point about the tank being in view instead of hidden away in the basement. I hadn't looked at it that way...

Tanks very much-