75g vs 90g...

[davidryder]

anyone have a preference? i like the 90g because the price for an extra 15 gallons is cheap, but at the same time i think it seems a little tall.

this is a 90g:

vs some random 75 gallon:

the 90g just looks tall in an awkward way. i think the 75 gallon tanks' shortened height gives it the appearance of being longer.

 

[Emoezekielsr5]

75 looks perfect.

 

[xenon]

90g all the way! The more water volume the more stable.

 

[DrBDC]

And once you're doing 90, just go ahead and do a 120 for the extra 6 inches of width. I wish I had.

 

[yeldarbj]

90g. I've got a 65g that is the same height as the 90, but only 3' instead of 4'. I really like the added height, especially if viewing the tank standing up.

 

[drplopper]

I've got a 90, and love the way it looks. It did seem tall at first when it was empty, but not so much after getting a few inches of sand on the bottom, plus having the extra room for stacking live rock is nice.

A shorter tank like a 75 would make it a little easier to get to things on the bottom when doing maintenance, but to me it's not a big deal.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

I prefer the 75g. It's not as deep which makes it look fuller, easy to reach the bottom for a full cleaning, and takes less powerful lighting to reach the bottom of the tank.

 

[benray4fun]

All good points, hell I even like fish bowls!...

 

[stereomandan]

I went through the same thoughts a few months back when I was looking at either a 75g or a 90g. I went with the 90g, and am glad I did. The 75g would not let some of my corals grow out, and the ability to see more of your tank without squatting down is very nice.
This is my 90g a few months ago. Once you put the canopy on and everything else, it doesn't look all that tall.

Dan

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

and the ability to see more of your tank without squatting down is very nice.

That's where a good stand comes in to play

 

[techigirl78]

I think both have their advantages. I really like the way my 90 looks, but it is so much easier for me to deal with my 75 as I am a short person with short arms. I also think the pic comparison is a bit off as a completely stocked tank will look much different then a nearly empty one.

 

[Phillybean]

Both have their pro's and cons. If the 15 extra gallons are all you wanted, just get a bigger sump/fuge. If you want more space for corals, follow DrCBD says and go for the 120.

I went with a 75 for a few reasons, one of them being height. I think a tall tank looks out of place, imho.

I also wanted to save my powerbill and with a 75 I can pull off 175 MH as opposed to a 90 when 250 are really needed. For tank viewing, I just went with a taller stand.

 

[McCrary]

Or you could go with a 110, same length and depth just 30" tall.

 

[stereomandan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9375571#post9375571 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travis L. Stevens
That's where a good stand comes in to play

Very true, but you can only make a stand so tall. I designed my stand to be as tall as possible, but so that I could still reach into my tank without stepping on a stool. The top lip of my 90g is basically armpit height for me.

Make it too tall, and it can't be seen well when sitting on a couch or chair...

You are correct, that a well designed stand makes a big difference.

Dan

 

[Ehgemus]

great info, I'm in the same boat.

 

[Misled]

My tank is 24 high on a fairly high stand. The stool sits in front of the tank. Can sit on the stool to look in. When it's time to work the stools always ready.

 

[FishMachine]

go for the 90

 

[harday]

I was in the same boat. I started out thinking a 58g Oceanic. Then it was 65 g. Then I took my wife with me to look at the 75, and she picked out the 90g. If I would have had the room, I would have gone 120. I was right at the threshold of "this is getting out of hand", but now that it's done, I love the 90 and am glad I bought it instead of the 75. I just got it up and running - here is a rough pic. Good luck. .

 

[USC-fan]

when i was upgrading from my 30 i first looked in a 45, then a 65 and last a 90. 90gal is one of the easier reef tank size to setup. Most only have one middle brace so it make getting lights easy. My next tank will most likely be a 180gal, I really like the size of that tank also.

 

[fishyz]

I just bought a 90g, and i'm glad i didn't go with the 75. I think it's nicer having that little bit extra height.