Bow-Front vs. Flat Fronts

[kristalAK]

Any major difference other than what is more pleasing to the eye?

 

[dogdoc]

Cost!!!!!!!!!!

I kinda like how the bigger bows look, but I can get a 75g rectangle for the cost of a 46g bow.

May also have some trouble with accessories like lighting or hoods and canopies. Makes some DIY projects a lot tougher.

 

[Intravenous]

I asked this in The Lounge, but got no reply . What I'd like to know about bowfronts is: does the curve distort the view of the fish?

 

[Steph_D]

We have bettas in a couple of 2.5g mini-bows and it doesn't seem to distort the view at all.

Personally, I like the flat fronted tanks better, but that's just my preference.

 

[Orion]

I belive it does distort the veiw some, but not a large amount.

I saw a 200 gallon bowfront once and fell in love.

 

[MOsborne05]

Yes, it does distort the view. It actually would make my eyes hurt if I looked closely at it for too long. That's why I got rid of my 26 bow and got the rectangular 38 gallon

 

[Intravenous]

Hmm...my dad hates his biorb because it distorts the view and so hes planning on getting a bigger (nicer) tank. The bow front rena one took his fancy but hes worried that it will distort the view too. Should I just advise him to go with a rectangular one then?

 

[Steph_D]

I don't mind the smaller bow fronts that my kids have (the 2.5 gallon ones), but I definately wouldn't want anything bigger. I'd stick with the rectangular ones, but that's just my preference.

 

[FroggyFox]

Why dont you go look at some at a local store? I LOVE my 46 bowfront....definitely my prettiest tank. I dont think it distorts the view, if anything it makes the tank look bigger than it is. It WAS more expensive than a rectangle tank, but it was definitely worth it. The only thing I can think of as somewhat of a negative for the size is like dogdoc said, if you're big on DIY lighting and projects then it can present a challenge. If you just stick with stock lighting and hoods (like me) then no worries.

 

[Intravenous]

We don't have many lfs' here, and the ones we do have aren't big. The only lfs that we have that has bowfronts in store, doesn't have them filled with water. So its hard to imagine what the distortion, if there was any, would look like.

The tank will be my dads and he is a beginner, so hes a long way off wanting DIY stuff, so distortion is the only proplem he is really worried about.

 

[FroggyFox]

If thats the only issue and he's willing to pony up the dough, I wouldn't dissuade him and say to get a normal tank. Here's a picture of mine, sorry...my camera sucks, but I think you can tell that there's not much. http://www.geocities.com/silverbelle94/46g.html Radamsk1 has the same 46 bowfront and he has some great pictures, I think there's a link in his signature. I think maybe one of the reasons I like it is because it reminds me of being at a commercial aquarium where they have curved glass...

 

[Intravenous]

I see what you mean , I'll tell him there could be a bit, but I doubt that will be too much of a problem...nothing compared to the biorb.

He's unlikely to suffer mts too bad, my mum won't allow it so he'll probably go with the one show tank which he wont mind spending that little bit extra on to look good.

 

[dogdoc]

I think that the larger the bowfront tank, the less distortion is present. Seems like the bigger bows have less dramatic radius on the front, so distortion is less. On my 16 bow, I can definitely see some distortion, especially when close to the corners.

 

[Intravenous]

Well it would be a big tank, probably one of the Rena ones (Panorama 120 maybe - just less than 80 gallons)

 

[Gunner]

I think that the larger the bow front tank, the less distortion is present. Seems like the bigger bows have less dramatic radius on the front, so distortion is less. On my 16 bow, I can definitely see some distortion, especially when close to the corners.

I agree with dogdoc. My kids each have a 5gal betta tank. One is bow front and one is flat. I much prefer the flat front. The bow front is quite distorted. I will say that the larger bow front tanks look better than the flat ones though. IMHO.

 

[kristalAK]

I like the ones that kind of have an S shaped front to them, certainly not something I can afford. But definently beautiful.

 

[Seleya]

The wave tanks are very cool. I have 2 46 bows and love them -- I'll try to get a picture or two up for you to see. I agree that the larger tanks really look nice and have far less distortion than the smaller bows. Aesthetically, the bows have a bit more punch, imo. In some cases, the flat fronts fit a scheme better but the bows just pop. The 46s are essentially a pretty 50.