Displaying beautiful coral reefs in your tank is a great way to set up an aquarium without the added hassle of fish. That said, there is no reason why you can’t include fish but these types of tanks primarily feature stunning reef displays that are typically placed below eye level, whereas a typical marine aquarium would be at eye height.
Choosing the right size tank for your space is a key consideration but while shallow reef tanks are becoming increasingly popular, there are pros and cons to these. Before making a decision on the best tank for you, it is essential to consider the reef tank vs average height.
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What Is A Reef Tank?
To the untrained fish-keeping hobbyist, all tanks are the same. A lot of people might not be able to tell the difference between a tropical setup and its marine equivalent but even if you know, there are subtle differences that turn a traditional marine tank into a reef tank.
If you want to replicate what is found at the bottom of the ocean then you need to get as close to nature as possible. While throwing a few select saltwater fish into a well-balanced tank will give you a glimpse into the ocean, the addition of a mini reef takes the setup to the next level.
In the ocean, the coral reef doesn’t need to get on particularly well with its neighbors; after all, there’s a lot of space down there. However, when you put all of that into a glass tank, you need to think about which corals you use and whether they will thrive with the others in the community. Keep in mind that coral is a living thing and not just a rock.
While there are certain fish that will be compatible with a reef tank, many species will attack the coral and quickly cause it to die. Again, in the ocean, this isn’t a huge issue as there is so much to go around. But if you pop a few emperor angelfish in with your reef, they will quickly tear the entire structure up. For this reason, a lot of people choose to only keep coral, which can be just as beautiful and ever-changing as fish.
Should I Get A Shallow Reef Tank Or An Average Height Reef Tank?
In recent times, we have seen more and more shallow reef tanks, especially over on Instagram. If you look up #reefbuilders you will be inundated with stunning shallow reef tanks that make a beautiful feature in any home. However, there have been a lot of people debating whether this type of setup is better or worse than the traditional average height reef tank. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
Pros Of A Shallow Reef Tank
Better Viewing Options
With an average height reef tank, you are limited to looking at the display from the front. However, one of the greatest benefits of a shallow reef tank is that you are able to observe the reef from above. This gives you an entirely new perspective of your reef and if you are keeping fish in the water too, it allows you to see them from all angles.
Easier To Access The Bottom Of The Tank
Tank maintenance is essential if you want your reef to thrive to the best of its ability. However, when you have an average height tank, it can be difficult to reach the bottom without standing on something. Even then, it can be a nightmare getting down into the depths, especially if you have a very deep tank.
However, your shallow reef tank will mean that you can get to the bottom to perform maintenance with very little trouble. While there is no official depth for a shallow reef tank, we have typically seen them at around 18 inches deep. Moreover, since the tank will typically be placed lower down, you won’t need to climb up onto a step stool to do the work.
Mimics The Ocean Surface
There are a lot of ways that you can get creative with your shallow reef tank. For example, while there isn’t a lot of depth, it is possible to place rocks above the water level. This will create little islands and will perfectly mimic a mangrove if you add plants or an ocean lagoon. That said, you must be careful with the rocks you choose to place above the water as not all will be suitable for this.
Possible To Use A Stand To Raise The Tank To Eye Level
If you don’t get on with the low viewing level of your shallow reef tank, then it is possible to build a stand to raise it more towards eye level. However, you must be careful if you are using an all-in-one tank as these can sometimes limit the height at which you can place them.
Cons Of A Shallow Reef Tank
Front-On Viewing Is Tricky
One of the great things about a regular-sized reef aquarium is that they are placed at eye level and make an attractive feature that instantly grabs the attention when you enter the room. However, this is not the case with a shallow reef tank and while it may be possible to raise the tank slightly, this isn’t always going to work.
If you like to view your tank from the front to get a panoramic view then you will need to get down to the level of the tank which can be uncomfortable.
Limited Rock Height
Earlier, we discussed putting in higher rocks that break the waterline. While this is possible with some rocks, others won’t like being so high up. The issue is mostly related to light. Getting the lighting right in your shallow reef tank can be tricky but you will also need to make sure that your rocks aren’t over-exposed.
There are some corals that like to have a lot of light exposure whereas others prefer the dark depths. If you don’t get this right then the coral will quickly die.
Shallow Tanks Are Normally Longer
While there are shorter reef tanks out there, most shallow options tend to be wider and longer. This sounds great at first thought but when you consider the space you will need to display the aquarium, you begin to see why this might not be such a good thing.
When installing a shallow reef tank, it is crucial that you factor in the larger footprint of the tank and find somewhere suitable to place it.
The Best Reef Tank Kits
If you are just getting started in creating a shallow reef tank or an average-sized setup, you might find it a little overwhelming to start everything from scratch. However, the great thing about modern fish keeping is that you can buy all-in-one kits getting you started quickly and easily. While there are many out there, we believe that these are three of the best!
Fluval Sea Evo V Saltwater Fish Tank Aquarium Kit – Best Beginners Kit
Starting at just 5 gallons, this reef tank kit is small enough for a newbie to get to grips with managing this kind of setup. Although, if you want something a little larger then there is a 13-gallon option. These all-in-one tanks boast everything you need in one compact setup including the filters and lighting to ensure your reef thrives from the off.
With three-stage filtration, you can feel confident that the quality of the water will always be incredible and the honeycomb design means that none of the ‘business end’ of things will be on display.
The aquarium benefits from an aluminum frame which is both durable and watertight. Moreover, the Fluval Sea Evo V features reef-capable lighting that can be operated with a simple one-touch control. For beginners, there is no better option and with a height of just 16 inches, it falls perfectly within the shallow category.
Coralife Fish Tank BioCube Starter Kit – Best Desktop Reef Tank
We have talked about how some shallow reef tanks take up a lot of space but there are some that offer a smaller footprint ideal for offices and other small spaces. This Coralife BioCube starter kit comes with everything you will need to get set up and measures just 15 inches by 16.5 inches around the base. It has a 17-inch height which is ideal for people looking for a shallower tank. Although it feels a lot deeper than it is owing to the smaller size.
The Coralife BioCube starter kit has a 24 hour timer for the lighting so once set, you don’t need to worry about fine tuning it throughout the day. What’s more, this one also has automatic sunrise and sunset settings to mimic the natural environment of the ocean.
The filtration system is built-in to the back of the tank and is covered by an attractive shield meaning you only get the joy of watching your reef. But what really caught our attention about this one was how quietly it operates; if you want a reef tank for the bedroom, this would make a great choice.
Monster Shop Fish Tank Large Saltwater Starter Kit – Best Average-Sized Tank
For some people, it’s a case of ‘go big or go home.’ If you think that a shallow reef tank isn’t for you and you’d rather go for an average-sized tank, there are plenty of options out there. But we really love this large starter kit from Monstershop which features everything you will need to create a live reef on a much bigger scale.
This is a 300-litre tank that measures over 4ft in length. You will need a lot of space but it comes presented in a beautiful surround and will make a stunning feature in your room. The kit comes with a built-in filter and pump as well as an adjustable heater and LED lights so you can set things just right for your reef to thrive.
In addition to this, and something that is not included with the other kits we looked at, the Monstershop tank comes with gravel, a backdrop, and various artificial plants. Everything comes with a 12-month warranty, not that you’ll need it because, with the high quality and 11cm thick glass, we are confident this is a superior product.
Conclusion
There has been a significant rise in the number of shallow reef tanks making their way into the spotlight, especially on social media. While some people are jumping on this trend, there are others who are a little more cautious about getting in on the action. However, there are pros and cons to this type of setup and in essence, you should go for a tank that feels right for you and that you enjoy taking care of; the rest is irrelevant
