75 or 120

Throw in another vote for 120g.
I love that footprint.
24" front to back is so cool for scaping.
And 48" is fixture friendly.
 
If you get a 120 you will be happy and have much joy in your life, a 75 and you gnash your teeth and have much regret in your choices in life;)

The choice is yours.

Jason
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15356620#post15356620 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Korrine
I have a 120 sitting empty in my living room. Have had it since last year actually. Was afraid to start so big for my first tank....now I'm afraid of the cost to start it up. We're not poor, but not rich. How much you think it would cost to get second basic equipment(pump, ph, etc. could add skimmer later). I have a 55g I could use as a sump as the tank is RR already.
Click to expand...

Here's a thought for you :D

I've decided to try to save up for a second hand 180g :thumbsup: This way I can have my must have fish for life :cool:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15356620#post15356620 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Korrine
I have a 120 sitting empty in my living room. Have had it since last year actually. Was afraid to start so big for my first tank....now I'm afraid of the cost to start it up. We're not poor, but not rich. How much you think it would cost to get second basic equipment(pump, ph, etc. could add skimmer later). I have a 55g I could use as a sump as the tank is RR already.
Click to expand...

Having just done this I can give you a rough breakdown of what I spent by careful purchasing and DIY. You can click my red house for pictures and descriptions.

Glass Tank, used -- $200
DIY Cabinet -- $300ish
2 used IceCap MH ballasts and 1 used Eheim 1262 -- $200ish
2 Lumenbright Mini Pendants and 2 Reeflux 12k bulbs -- $400
~120 lbs sand -- $100
~140 lbs live rock -- $350
AC Jr., pH probe, DC-8, AquaSurf, Temperature Probe -- $375
H&S Skimmer, used -- $375
40 breeder to make sump, new -- $90
2 Koralia 4 -- $90
2 Tunze 6100, used -- $390
Level-Loc ATO system -- $100
Plumbing, carpentry, random other stuff I'm forgetting: $500 (SWAG)

This list doesn't include livestock, obviously. I already had RO/DI from past tank, and other stuff too, like test kits, supplements, etc. I'd say $3,500 is probably a good figure to start with, if you're careful. I'd still like to automate my dosing (currently dosing a Kalk slurry every morning before work -- it's working fine unless I'm traveling :rolleyes: ).

Hope this helps,

Mark
 
hey thanks for the list!!

I'm also getting rid of junk around the house. Selling bits and bobs of things on craigslist and places. I have 3 kids so there are plenty of out grown toys and clothes to part with. Just got $90 for some clothes the other day. Plus it's like getting a raise now that the middle child is in school and we don't have to pay daycare for her.
 
75!! i just gone one so I am biased. It is 20 inches from front to back.... not much diff. than a 120... But I was sheltered for a while with a tall 45, so anything bigger than that is going to make me happy.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15402433#post15402433 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Korrine
hey thanks for the list!!

I'm also getting rid of junk around the house. Selling bits and bobs of things on craigslist and places. I have 3 kids so there are plenty of out grown toys and clothes to part with. Just got $90 for some clothes the other day. Plus it's like getting a raise now that the middle child is in school and we don't have to pay daycare for her.
Click to expand...

Yup, every dollar of my build was "extra" money from either moonlighting (I do tech and marketing consulting), from selling stuff from other hobbies that I didn't need/want any more, or from selling other fish stuff I didn't need :p

It's the only way my wife will let me do my thang :lol:
 
Thanks, Mullinsd2. I just found out I have a 2nd little one on the way and I'll need a different vehicle come next year. And with the economy kind of hanging in the balance, I'm exploring some less expensive yet still satisfying options for an upgrade.

I'm thinking about a 36"X18"X18". I haven't seen a RR 50 so I'm trying to decide if I went that way would I plumb for a sump/fuge or do an HOB CPR or Aquaclear Mod. More thoughts anyone?

Thanks.
 
Oceanic 58 if you can find one. My original tank and I loved it. 36" long, 21" tall, 18" front to back. A really great ratio.

And, Congrats on the new kid! We have four and wouldn't want it any other way.

PS You'd be surprised how many kids you can stuff into a sedan. Don't believe the hype...and REFUSE THE MINIVAN!!!!!

:lol: :lol:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15408968#post15408968 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by small alien
Thanks, Mullinsd2. I just found out I have a 2nd little one on the way and I'll need a different vehicle come next year.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Congrats!!! Yea they cost more as you have more. We have 3 and bought a minivan when we found out the 3rd was coming.
 
I have an '86 F150 with two seat belts. I will try to "refuse the minivan". Thanks for the congrats. It is a wonderful gift.
 
Go with the 120. I have a 65 and wish I had gotten a bigger tank. Actually this is the bigger tank I only originally wanted a 34g,lol. But I do wish I had at least a 120g.
 
I'm trying, luther, I'm trying. The more I run the numbers, the more the difference really isn't that great. It just freaks me out a little. I'm getting there. Somehow, this has become quite a psychological challenge for me and a bit of a metaphor for some kind of transition in my life. I'll keep anyone who's interested posted. Eventually I plan to end this thread with with a photo of a beautiful tank cycling away.

Thanks for giving a dam. You know, like the Hoover Dam.
 
I think you will be happy with either tank, but the 120 just has better dimension's and will be easier to aquascape IMO. I know my 65 is 36x18x23 and it was a major pain to aquascape that tall of a tank with only 18" front to back.
 
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