small alien
The fungus is among us.
Thanks, James77. Are we talking the 48" fixture because I'm seeing that for $720 no bulbs, $820 with. What am I missing? Are the fans loud? Thanks again.
75 or 120
- Thread starter small alien
- Start date
Henry Bowman
Reefing since '87
I have a 90 which is 4'X18"X24" LXWXH and keep sps with a 6 Light unit and my corals are nice color and grow under a 6 bulb unit. I keep the light 5" off the surface of the water. THe ATI fans are nearly silent. The Aquactinics light's fans are a bit louder.
SirToppemHat
Member
Once you experience the 2' width, you'll never want anything smaller. Width plays an important role with rock scaping, exposed sandbed (for corals and fish) and flow etc..Put the 75 under it.
Henry Bowman
Reefing since '87
The savings between a 75 and 120 is marginal in the big picture. Most of the difference would be in start up costs, skimmer, tanks itself and possibly lighting. He could buy marco rock and seed it with 15-20 lbs of live. There are other ways of cutting costs. Get an efficient pump (reeflo), use T5's. A weekly 10% water change is 7.5 to 12 gallons...not a deal breaker for most and as stated above the real estate gained is worth it. There's a 62% difference in water volume with less than a 10% increase in long term expense (operation not start up), well worth the difference.
James77
Team RC
The 6x54 SunPower is $620 with bulbs.
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/ATI/SunPower_Fixtures/
I have not heard a SunPowerb in person, but I did own a Powermodule, and the fans were extremely quiet-Id imagine they'd be similar.
Ive owned the SolarFlare also, and the cost of that breaks $1000 with bulbs and hanging/riser kits. I found those fans to be way too loud, audible 2 rooms away.
Yes, you're right, start up cost would be the real kicker. Tank itself, larger skimmer, more lighting, bigger circulation pumps, bigger return pump, more live rock, stocking, bigger reactor, etc..... it adds up.
Then there's the long term operation. Replacing bulbs (the bigger and more of them the more expensive), a new reeflo (after a couple years they die and need to be replaced), more additives/reactor media/CO2, more electricity, bigger water changes (not a deal breaker here), more heat that may need cooling, general unforeseen maintenance, etc..... definitely not marginal in the big picture.
Korrine
You could get a ticket!!
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.
yea korrine with todays economy theres quite a bit of us reefers out there struggling to maintain there tanks especially with all the layoffs and what not.Your local craigslist is a great place for bargains right now as people are having to part with there tanks.Ive been unemployed now for about 7mos and would seriously start crying if i ever had to get rid of my tank.Luckily unemployement benefits out here are highest in the country(475 a week) which has allowed me to keep my tank going.....for now. So look out there,theres some serious bargains to be had.
small alien
The fungus is among us.
Hey guys, thanks a lot. Really appreciate the words of wisdom. I'm so used to doing 25% weekly water change with my 20 that I hadn't figured I might get by with 10% with a good skimmer and lit fuge. That would be much easier than 30 gallons a week!
I don't want to pinch pennies. I just figure there is a threshold where it's just too expensive to maintain and that takes the fun out of it. I want to go right up to that threshold but not over and it's hard to predict. I love, love, love the look of the 120 and I know it would be the best tank for me in terms of what I want to do with it. I just want to make sure I don't get in over my head without realizing it. It's a big chunk of change.
I don't want to pinch pennies. I just figure there is a threshold where it's just too expensive to maintain and that takes the fun out of it. I want to go right up to that threshold but not over and it's hard to predict. I love, love, love the look of the 120 and I know it would be the best tank for me in terms of what I want to do with it. I just want to make sure I don't get in over my head without realizing it. It's a big chunk of change.
Nerdy Nudi
New member
A smallalien,
Are you set on the 4' length? There are some newer options on the market and some are priced rather well.
If you want to meet in the middle and are ok with 3', check out the neo 90 from deep sea aquatics. its basically a 3' version of the 120g.
Some major benefits over the 120 and 75
+ get the great 2' back-to-front depth of the 120g
+ only one centered overflow, takes less room and easier to work with
+ Easier and cheaper to light with only $500: an awesome Single halide with or without supp t5's!!!
Now if you really want a sweet new tank, check out marinelands new cubes. they look like oceanic's old stuff (trim) but come in 30" cubes, either 18" tall for a 70g, or 24" tall for a 90g. these are finally hitting distributers. pix are thin at the moment, but out there if you look search. they are sweeeeet.
Just wanted to give you some more options, Im an option kinda guy.
Are you set on the 4' length? There are some newer options on the market and some are priced rather well.
If you want to meet in the middle and are ok with 3', check out the neo 90 from deep sea aquatics. its basically a 3' version of the 120g.
Some major benefits over the 120 and 75
+ get the great 2' back-to-front depth of the 120g
+ only one centered overflow, takes less room and easier to work with
+ Easier and cheaper to light with only $500: an awesome Single halide with or without supp t5's!!!
Now if you really want a sweet new tank, check out marinelands new cubes. they look like oceanic's old stuff (trim) but come in 30" cubes, either 18" tall for a 70g, or 24" tall for a 90g. these are finally hitting distributers. pix are thin at the moment, but out there if you look search. they are sweeeeet.
Just wanted to give you some more options, Im an option kinda guy.
small alien
The fungus is among us.
Options are good as is your very odd avatar. Nice one!
That Neo 90 is a beautiful looking tank. I've never heard of any experiences with that brand. Anyone? Very nice look. Anyone have an idea of cost? I cannot find it for sale online.
Also, with the Marineland cubes. Anyone have an idea of price for the 90?
Thanks!
That Neo 90 is a beautiful looking tank. I've never heard of any experiences with that brand. Anyone? Very nice look. Anyone have an idea of cost? I cannot find it for sale online.
Also, with the Marineland cubes. Anyone have an idea of price for the 90?
Thanks!
danrobberg
New member
I used a hmilton t5 fixture on my 120. it was a 4 x 54 watt. I wish I hd the two xtra bulbs. I loved the fixture though. kinda expensive though
Nerdy Nudi
New member
@smallalien, thanks.
regarding deepseaaquatics, they are what is left of oceanic. a few years ago oceanic was bought out by all-glass, who was in term purchased by aqueon.
oceanic was moved out of texas. deepseaaquatics was formed by those left behind. Ive seen the tanks first hand, they are sweet, but a bit pricey, just like oceanic and they look like paternal twins.
neo90 will run you about 1300. any local fish store should be able to get one through a distributor or straight from deepsea.
marineland can be had from your lfs, just ask them to call their supplier as well. pricing is better. marineland has 2 style stands, a fancy version, just like their deep dimension tanks (36" cubes!) that has doors on the sides, its about $250 more than the standard style. pricing: 70g 800-1050, 93g 900-1150 - depending which stand you get.
ps marineland and deepsea reps, feel free to send me a sample for my advertising work
regarding deepseaaquatics, they are what is left of oceanic. a few years ago oceanic was bought out by all-glass, who was in term purchased by aqueon.
oceanic was moved out of texas. deepseaaquatics was formed by those left behind. Ive seen the tanks first hand, they are sweet, but a bit pricey, just like oceanic and they look like paternal twins.
neo90 will run you about 1300. any local fish store should be able to get one through a distributor or straight from deepsea.
marineland can be had from your lfs, just ask them to call their supplier as well. pricing is better. marineland has 2 style stands, a fancy version, just like their deep dimension tanks (36" cubes!) that has doors on the sides, its about $250 more than the standard style. pricing: 70g 800-1050, 93g 900-1150 - depending which stand you get.
ps marineland and deepsea reps, feel free to send me a sample for my advertising work
Macimage
Active member
You will be very happy if you go with the 120. The dimensions are great for aquascaping. If you set up the 75, you will want to upgrade or wish you had gotten the 120.
As already mentioned, the Sunpower fixture would work well.
The Icecap retro kit would also work well for lighting:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5..._6x54W_SLR_T5_Very_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap
You can even use the 4 bulb kit depending on the corals you want to keep:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...8_inch__4x54W_SLR_T5_Pre-Wired_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Ballast_&_Bulbs_by_IceCap
Joyce
As already mentioned, the Sunpower fixture would work well.
The Icecap retro kit would also work well for lighting:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5..._6x54W_SLR_T5_Very_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_IceCap
You can even use the 4 bulb kit depending on the corals you want to keep:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5...8_inch__4x54W_SLR_T5_Pre-Wired_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Ballast_&_Bulbs_by_IceCap
Joyce
small alien
The fungus is among us.
Thanks, Joyce. With the 2' front to back, do you start to have trouble getting the lighting not to be shadowy with 4 or 6 bulbs? I'm looking to keep LPS and softies and a medium flow kind of setting.
