Help decide 90gal or 120gal

[Airborne]

I am going to be upgrading to one of the above. I am concerned with the price difference in both equipment and the monthly electric bill.

I live in CA and will have to run a chiller.

So does anyone know what the cost difference is between both. Both to set up initial cost and running expense.

I like the idea of the depth for a reef. But if a 90 gal is much less to set up and run, then a 90gal it is.

Need a quick response as I will be ordering Monday.

Thanks

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

get a 48" long 120.

*lighting will be the same expense as over a 90

*chiller might actually have to run less over the larger body of water

 

[ddinox64]

I wouldn't get anything my arm doesn't reach the bottom easily. But then again it could be deeper(talking front to back deeper now) and still only about 24" deep(tall now).

Equipment will be virtually the same all away around. Unless you're in the desert, I wouldn't worry too much about a chiller. But then again, that depends on lighting. T5s are the way to go.

Buying off of Craigslist will save hundreds.

 

[titnguyen]

Bigger is better. I go for 120g.

 

[Katmanblue]

I know I'll be defying concensus, but bigger isnt always better. I had the same choice and went with the 90. Sure, light fixtures will be the same size, but what about more rocks? More sand, more water, more salt, a larger rated skimmer, more powerheads for circulation issues. I dont think it would be a HUMOUNGOUS difference in $$, but I just personally didnt want the extra 6" from front to back, especially since I'm only 5'8" and access to the back of the tank would be impacted by the extra width.

Just my two cents....

 

[noboddi]

I also had the same choice, and went with the 90. I live in Arkansas, where it also gets hot, and need a chiller.

With me the budget was fixed regardless of the tank I chose. I went with a smaller tank that I could afford to better equip than a larger tank with a couple of corners cut.

 

[Mopar Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15412119#post15412119 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by titnguyen
Bigger is better. I go for 120g.

+1

 

[bgbeards]

I thought I would need a chiller on my 50g but I have been able to keep it at 79. I live in orange county CA. I even have a 250w MH in enclosed hood. A couple of fans go a long way. I had to go with auto-top off but that is easy. Keeps cool with just a few gallons of evaporation. Just something to think about.