120 or 125 or.......?

[Ortho Bill]

I currently have a 90G reef that I have to breakdown due to a remodeling project. The Mrs. gave the go ahead to place a reef tank into the large kitchen/dining room I will be creating. The 90 is nice but I wouldn't mind more depth but......I also wouldn't mind having a six foot long tank. I know, you say go 180 but that's just too much tank for me to maintain. The difference in lighting requirements from a 4ft. tank to a 6ft tank is substantial
($$$$) but if the six would look better I'll bite the bullet. What do you think? Currently have a Hippo Tang, Flame Angel, Hawkfish, Lemonpeel Angel, True Percula and a Royal Gramma in the 90.
Thanks, Bill


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[JRod]

I guess the question is what do you want to have. With the 120 and the depth, you get a larger area to work with on coral placement, limiting the swimming length for fish, although if fish are more of your interest the 125 is great with its 6' length, anlthough the shallow depth could limit out your rockwork.

The 180 gives you the the best of both worlds, length and depth, although going larger also comes at a price.

Good Luck.

Joe

 

[BLOODMAN]

If you have the OK to go with a 6 footer, then I say go with a 180. Six foot long to let that tang swim around and maybe do a "sps on one side and a lps on the other" layout. 2 feet high for easy maintenance and lighting options. 2 feet front back for ease of hardscaping. The perfect size IMO.

 

[Phyl]

I would do a 180 if I could do it over again. I love the 2' depth and height, but would like a little more length. I wouldn't trade the 2' depth for the length though.

 

[JCURRY@WESKETCH]

I have a 125 (72x18x22) and hate the 18" depth. Definitely go 180. Glass cages makes a 150 wide (48 x 30 x 25 tall), might be a good comprimise.

 

[Ortho Bill]

I have heard mixed reviews re: glasscages. Actually I was looking at the GC 150 (60x24x25) when I first thought about upgrading. I don't have a Calcium reactor and I thought if I went that big 150/180 I'd have to get one. I just came from In Living Color and a salesperson told me that when they do indeed have a grand opening that an Ice Cap rep. will be there and there'll be a 35% markdown on his products. This may be a solution to the lighting concerns. Bill

 

[Gooli]

if you get a 125 or a 120....you'll end up a year later wanting a 180.
just get the 180 -

 

[kabal2]

if you have the money and can go with the 180g but if not just go with the 120g if you are into corals, or the 125g if you are into fish

 

[Nagel]

Go 180... If you like softies and LPS you can skip the reactor and just use Randy's two part formula for Ca and Alk. Plus he gives you the info for a Mg supplement

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm

 

[momof6kids]

Speaking from experience of one who went from the 90 to the 150. I wish I had gone the 180 route. The 18" depth just isn't enough. Of course, if I had gotten the 180, I would probably want to go bigger anyway.

Erna

 

[Nagel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7021233#post7021233 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by momof6kids
I would probably want to go bigger anyway.

You always do! I was *supposed* to get a 180, but when the wife finally ok'd it, we found out the LFS sold the tank (was used for $200). She found me a 300, and now I wish I went bigger. Still plan to one day

 

[dppitone]

IMO the 125g looks like a railroad car - not optimum. My first medium sized tank was a 150g, but after living with it I have to agree that for a tank for the home, the 180g is without question the best tank overall. Another option is that there is a 5ft 150g tank out there somewhere that has the same height and front to back as the 180g. That may end up being a good choice for you as you can light it like a 48" long, but it'd be real hard to find one used.

 

[Ortho Bill]

dppitone,
On Ebay I've seen an acrylic 150 similar to what your describing listed for @ $560. Check it out and please tell me what you think. I think it's manufactured in Arizona. Bill

 

[dppitone]

That's probably a fair price for a new acrylic, but I'm such a cheapskate that I'd never pay that kind of price for that sized tank. Keep your eyes open for a used one. I bet one could be had for about $150. It's sounds like you have some time to kill during the renovation so keep your eyes open - one will pop up.

 

[Ortho Bill]

Please let me know if you see one. Since this is going into the remodeled kitchen/dining room I may just bite the bullet and go new- factor it in as part of the remodeling job. It may come down to the new 150 acrylic vs a 180.