75 vs 90 gal startup.

[Conor_K]

So I have been lurking here for a bit and am slowly going to be getting started in this hobby.

I originally planned on a 90 gallon. Odds are very good, I'll only have one DT ever. (Famous last words, I know).

So here's the rub. There is a pretty nice perfecto 75gal tank and stand for sale nearby with some accessories ( that I probably wont use) for $220.

This is tempting, however, as a reptile/dart frog guy, i have always avoided the 18" depth thing...

So i am looking for opinions. Pros/cons of a 90 vs 75. Personal preferences, whatever you have. ..

Thanks!
Conor

 

[stingeragent]

Do you want more depth than 18" or less? In reef tanks more depth is usually better ( can't decide from your post which you prefer). A lot of it depends on do the fish you want need a 90 or a 75? Will the dimensions of either benefit you more in some way? Keep in mind taller tanks are harder to reach the bottom. (common sense you'd think, but after having both a tallish tank, and shorter one, I much prefer the shorter one.

 

[Conor_K]

Oh i am definitely leaning towards more depth. 24" would be preferable.
I do like the shorter height of the 75 gallon.

It's a pretty tough call. In general i feel like the larger tank will be better all the way around, but i may be putting to much emphasis on 15 gallons. The 2 extra sqaure feet of floor space would be nice though....

I'm pretty torn..

Thanks for the input

 

[orucco]

Most standard size 75 gals are 21" high. Mine is.

 

[stingeragent]

Is this your first saltwater tank? Another thing to think about is equipment. Lighting, flow, heaters, test kits, salt,ro/di, refactometer, etc. Some of this could affect your choice. A 48" in T5 fixture is cheaper than a 72in one ( No clue on those tank sizes just an example). Also, if you get bit by this hobby, that first tank won't be around long.

 

[shifty51008]

Im confused are you talking about a longer 90 gal? The 75 and 90 i beleive have the same foot print just the 90 is taller. Either tank will work fine though.

 

[Conor_K]

This will be my first tank, I know there is a lot to think about, but I am in no rush. Both tAnk sizes in my case are 48". The 90 is just deeper and taller.

I Like the depth, not the height. I guess i am looking for people thoughts on that dilemna.

Fish are so far out I am not thinking about them yet. I'll match my fish choices to the tank parameters.

 

[Conor_K]

Im confused are you talking about a longer 90 gal? The 75 and 90 i beleive have the same foot print just the 90 is taller. Either tank will work fine though.

Wooo. Maybe I have been missinformed. If this is the case, that makes my decision easy.

To the google machine!!!

 

[stingeragent]

My search shows the 90 is 1in longer and taller, width is the same.

 

[shifty51008]

http://www.aquariumcarebasics.com/aquarium-dimensions/

 

[Conor_K]

My search shows the 90 is 1in longer and taller, width is the same.

As does mine.

Good call on that shifty. Barring any complaints about perfecto, i'll be picking up my DT tomorrow. Ahead of schedule, but a deal I don't want to let go.

Edit: I found only a difference in hieght on most sites.

 

[Aframomum]

Biggest complaint I've heard against the 90 is needing a step stool to do any work in the tank. That and most that get a 90 later on wish they went with the 120 instead.

Forgot to ask, are you planning on running a sump on this?

 

[Conor_K]

I am planning a sump. Hopefully a 40 breeder if I have room.

I'm hoping to go look at this 75 gallon setup today.

As mentioned this will be very slow at first. I still need to order the RO/DI setup and a whole bunch of other stuff. I wasn't planning on tank shopping for a month, but if this setup is in good shape it will save me from building a stand which I'm perfectly ok with....

 

[stingeragent]

Make sure you look at the bottom trim of the tank and see if its touching the stand the whole way around

 

[Conor_K]

Make sure you look at the bottom trim of the tank and see if its touching the stand the whole way around

Will do. Thanks for the tip.

Anything else I should be looking for would be much appreciated.

 

[Aframomum]

Bring a flashlight and go through the interior of the stand to make sure no water damage, ie particle board does terrible when it gets wet.

Good luck and congrats!

 

[Drewl117]

Look for scratches!!! I bought a 125 that had some scratches and didn't think it was a big deal... Every time I look At the tank that's what I see now.

 

[LuciDog]

FWIW, I have a 90 (freshwater but ignore that) and a 120. The footprint of the 90 is 48"x18", the 120 is 48"x24"

When designing my Aqua scape for the 120, I had a tricky time stacking to the height with 24"... The 90 is the same height, but less floor space. This is going to pose a problem IMO. You will ultimately be laying rock on the glass in a 90 just to achieve the height in rock. Otherwise, it won't be stable.

If the 75 has the same floor space as the 90, just lacks in height a bit, I would go with that.

 

[Conor_K]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll be sure to check all this out when I go look at this thing.

 

[3dees]

if you have room for a four foot tank I would go with a 120. that extra six inches is so much better for scaping. I have 150 lbs. of rock and none is near the glass. easier to clean and my fish can go into the rocks on one side and come out the other. don't worry about the height. I'm only 5'5" and with a three step stool I have no problems reaching the bottom.