90 vs 75 for a mixed reef

75. For a mixed reef, you will probably NOT be running 250w halides or NOT have 8T5's. Therefore you will probably want a shorter tank. However, if you plan on really nice lighting, the opt for the 90.
 
I liked my 90 better than my 75

I liked my 90 better than my 75

i had one each and i liked my 90g better.
but like jmjohnson said if you plan on really nice lighting.
you can use less light with the 75 becuse of the hight diff.
you would need more light with the 90 becuse it is deeper.
with the 75 you could make a stand taller so you could fit more under the tank like a bigger sump "ie more watter" and if you did that with the 90g you would need a step latter or something to step on.
just my .02
 
i like the 75 more, I think rock work looks nicer and more full in lower tanks.

However I have seen some sweet 90s!!!
 
I am glad I went with a 75...Looks fuller with rocks as most of the extra height is only for water volume as rocks just look a little odd going that high. I set up my cousin a 90 gallon and think the height is just too odd for me. It is also more of a pain to maint. as most people need a chair to do something constructive to the lower parts of the glass. Just my 2cents. I wouldn't mind the height if it was deep like a 120.
 
I hated my 90g. I would go for the 75g or the 120g. The best tanks (IMO) are at least as wide front to back as they are deep/tall. I started out with a 90g becuase I was too impatient to wait for a 120g to come in and regretted it for about a year until I got my 150g (60x24x24). Unfortunately when I moved I had to leave the tank, so then I got a 135g (72x18x24) which was the same as the 90g (just longer). Don't know what I was thinking. :) Now I have a 30x30x15 which I like quite a bit, but plan on trading for a 30x30x24 down the road.

To me the key is being able to gradually stack your rock as you move from front to back. This gives you a lot more real estate to grow corals. With the taller tanks you end up either having a lot of extra space above (which is not bad if you have the lighting) or a rock wall which limits your real estate to grow.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15035686#post15035686 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmjohnson
75. For a mixed reef, you will probably NOT be running 250w halides or NOT have 8T5's. Therefore you will probably want a shorter tank. However, if you plan on really nice lighting, the opt for the 90.
Click to expand...

Why wouldn't he use Halides or T5's on a 75 gallon tank???
 
He can still use halides and t5, just not the really powerful ones. 150w halides or a nice 4 or 6 bulb t5ho fixture will suffice just fine for a "mixed" reef. You only "need" 8 t5s or 250 halides if you want sps on the bottom of the tank, which you would not normally do on a mixed reef. The usual thing for a mixed reef is to place higher light corals or anemones at the top of the rock work, and lower light corals will be placed on or near the bottom.
 
Great. Thanks so much for the responses. I am tall and have longish arms, so the maintenance on the 90 would probably be doable. I think the 75 has a nices, chunky look to it and I'll probaby go that way. But the added water volume and swimming room in the 90 are interesting. But I don't think I want to go MH. I like my t5s. Thanks again. -small
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15044950#post15044950 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by small alien
Great. Thanks so much for the responses. I am tall and have longish arms, so the maintenance on the 90 would probably be doable. I think the 75 has a nices, chunky look to it and I'll probaby go that way. But the added water volume and swimming room in the 90 are interesting. But I don't think I want to go MH. I like my t5s. Thanks again. -small
Click to expand...

Good choice.:cool:
 
I run a plenum/DSB in tank. The 90 is a better choice for me because it ends up about 18" deep to the substrate after all is said and done. I also prefer that the glass thickness usually jumps up to 3/8" on most stock 90 gallons ... well on Aqueon anyway and atleast one other ... oceanic or perfecto or maybe both.

If I were going with a BB tank or a shallow substrate I would probably go with the 75 gallon ... although the thicker glass on the 90 still would make it a tough decision.

Something else to think about for what it's worth.
 
That's interesting about the glass thickness. What do we think about the lighting? Could you keep fungia, lobos, etc. under 24" of water with a 6 Bulb T5HO fixture? Thanks.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15045489#post15045489 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by small alien
That's interesting about the glass thickness. What do we think about the lighting? Could you keep fungia, lobos, etc. under 24" of water with a 6 Bulb T5HO fixture? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Heck I keep a fungia in a 90 gallon under 260 watt PC.:D
And it's about 4 inches across.I'll even post a picture if you want.
It's actually in my gallery pics,in front on the sand bed.
I'd go with the 90 gallon If I were you.:cool:
 
Thanks, Stingy Thingy 45. That is an awesome name! Always good to see pics if you're up to posting a shot of your mighty fungia. Thanks again for your thoughts. -smallish
 
Here's the best one I have here at work.Not the best picture,but you get the idea.The edge was getting blown up by a power head.It's under the YT.
I feed it mysis shrimp and cut up silverside pieces(small)every so often.You can see I have,green pipe organ,candy coral,zoas,GSP and check out the yuma's under that toadstool.I'm going to be switching soon to MH.I want to dabble a little more with SPS(not just cap) and anemones.
Also have a hood I want to retofit.I think you'll do just fine with a 6 bulb T5 over a 90 gallon for a mixed reef tank.


163016IMG_0020C.JPG
 
Thanks for sharing that shot, Stingy Thingy. I really love fungias. It's good to see what you're keeping at that depth. Best, small
 
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