I am debating upgrading to a 120-125G and wanted to hear some pros and cons people have with the different size options. The measurements on a 120G would be 48x24x25 and the extra depth would be awesome for coral placement however would the shorter length be detrimental to stocking tangs? The 125G could be either 5 or 6 ft long depending on height but you lose the extra width for aquascaping and coral placement. Anyone have a 4 ft long tank have issues with tang stocking? Thanks for the input!
Looking for thoughts on a 120-125G upgrade
- Thread starter ksigaekdb
- Start date
Kobashi
Member
IMHO this is ALL personal preference.
If it were me, I would focus on:
1) Considerations (spaces) to where you are putting it in your house or which wall it fits.
2) Lighting... if you are using a pre-made light fixture (T5 or Halide perhaps), most are typically set for 48" tanks. If you are custom building or using pendants, disregard.
3) I cannot envision the dimensions of a 125g 6 foot tank looking very proportional (even with adding another 5g of water, but that might be just me... I just wouldn't make it too long and too shallow or risk looking like a pet-store display... you might want to save the 6' for the 200g tank that's coming next
.
4) Worrying about the Tangs IMO is pointless ... for that amount of water, no matter how you dice it, there should be plenty of space for them to mark as their own, and/or to hide. It would maybe be a consideration if you were talking like a smaller 40g tank or something.
If it were me, I would focus on:
1) Considerations (spaces) to where you are putting it in your house or which wall it fits.
2) Lighting... if you are using a pre-made light fixture (T5 or Halide perhaps), most are typically set for 48" tanks. If you are custom building or using pendants, disregard.
3) I cannot envision the dimensions of a 125g 6 foot tank looking very proportional (even with adding another 5g of water, but that might be just me... I just wouldn't make it too long and too shallow or risk looking like a pet-store display... you might want to save the 6' for the 200g tank that's coming next
.4) Worrying about the Tangs IMO is pointless ... for that amount of water, no matter how you dice it, there should be plenty of space for them to mark as their own, and/or to hide. It would maybe be a consideration if you were talking like a smaller 40g tank or something.
Mael
New member
Standard 6foot should be around 180gallons IMO, this gives you 6x2x2, I personally dont like to go much deeper than 24-26" as you then cant reach the bottom with a stoll and your arm up to the shoulder in the tank, and even then it is still difficult.
That said the taller tanks are beautiful and allow for some more room for SPS and other corals at the top, so it is up to you if you want to go tall or not. If you do go tall, there is no way to go wider than 4 feet and still be in the 125g range usually.
My brother has a 5foot 110g and it looks nice but it is only 26-28 tall i think. His sailfin is cruising the whole tank all the time, which brings us to tang specific, and most people on here would make a comment about putting tangs in anything less than 6foot, although I personally think 5 is fine.
These are my opinions and should be taken as such.
That said the taller tanks are beautiful and allow for some more room for SPS and other corals at the top, so it is up to you if you want to go tall or not. If you do go tall, there is no way to go wider than 4 feet and still be in the 125g range usually.
My brother has a 5foot 110g and it looks nice but it is only 26-28 tall i think. His sailfin is cruising the whole tank all the time, which brings us to tang specific, and most people on here would make a comment about putting tangs in anything less than 6foot, although I personally think 5 is fine.
These are my opinions and should be taken as such.
AZBigJohn
Usually confused...
I upgraded from a 55 gallon, and went with a 6 foot bowfront for two reasons. One, I wanted the 6 feet for the wall I was going on (10 feet long) and I wanted the length for tang or angel to ultimately be a showpiece fish. It gives me several benefits bit with a few extra challenges, too. It is 2 feet deep, so I have the nice depth for corals. It goes from 18 inches to 26 inches, so I have some width for larger corals and landscaping in the middle. It is 155 gallons, so my water volume is right in the middle of the range as well.
The challenges are in the specific shape. Making screen covers for jumpers (My wife and I love wrasses) was rather tough as I had to custom bend each one to fit the openings. Lighting wasn't too bad, as I used Kessil pendants, and they work great. I had to use the stand that came with it as making my own created too many engineering challenges to support the tank well while maintaining the look my wife insisted on.
In my opinion, if you are going to upgrade, if you want a 125, go 4 foot. If you want a tank with larger fish (tangs) I would aim for a 6 foot tank in the 180 range.
The challenges are in the specific shape. Making screen covers for jumpers (My wife and I love wrasses) was rather tough as I had to custom bend each one to fit the openings. Lighting wasn't too bad, as I used Kessil pendants, and they work great. I had to use the stand that came with it as making my own created too many engineering challenges to support the tank well while maintaining the look my wife insisted on.
In my opinion, if you are going to upgrade, if you want a 125, go 4 foot. If you want a tank with larger fish (tangs) I would aim for a 6 foot tank in the 180 range.
Having just made the jump to a 120, Im very happy, but...Someone told me to consider a 5 foot in length and 2 feet in depth with a shallower (about) 20 inches in height. This would have been great for corals and access reaching inside. If rimless, with some of the new available options on lighting, you can get a Beautiful tank with great light penetration. Easy access for aquascaping and cleaning etc. I would have gone this way but the lighting would have put me over budget. 
The stand to fit the tank might have cost more, but I think the look would have been worth it. Plus plenty of swim space for the Tangs!
The stand to fit the tank might have cost more, but I think the look would have been worth it. Plus plenty of swim space for the Tangs!
