May have an "investor", but will have to change tank set-up . . .

[fishypapas]

ok heres the quandry,

gf says she wants in on the reef, but wants input on the set-up, and along with the input comes cash infusion.

heres the big issue:

she wants the oceanic 70g (36x18x25) and i want the 75g (48x18x21)

what we want to keep in order of importance:
1.reef fish (small colorful active types)
2.inverts (shrimp/ stars and the like)
3.lps

fish we have agreed upon:
1.flame hawk
2.ast. gobies
3.cardinals
4.pistol shrimp (goby bud)
5.clowns (undecided which)
6.yellow tang (dont call the cops please)
7.dwarf angel

why i want the 75g over the 70g:

1. dont want to have to worry about buying live rock to stack so high (unless she fipls the bill for the extra rock :0)
2.hate paying for light that we wont get (tek 36" 234w v 48" 324w cost the same, and even an 8 bulb 36" wont put out the same amout as a 6 bulb 48")

now, is this at all important? if i ever do sps, it wont be a major aspect of this reef, just dont like selling my self short (pardon the pun).

so, you should have all the requisite info. any thoughts?

fp

 

[JimW]

Which one do you plan on keeping longer, the tank or the gf?

 

[scrmbld33]

lol id go with the 75

 

[lavann]

tank

 

[Sindjin]

No way. Dont let the worlds collide.

 

[Dubbin1]

I would get the 75 and save money on the LR by buying 40% liverock and 60% baserock.

 

[BucNtears]

Same, Get the 75 and 30% - 40% liverock and the rest base rock

 

[fishypapas]

now im leaning towards the 70g

1. smaller so easier to find a good spot for it
2. the height and proportions give it a nice window look to it, "cubey"

this one is really getting me

3. the megaflow is CENTERED, what a concept ( atleast the one in the lfs)

what ill miss from the 75

1. 33% more footprint, no need to saymore
2. the length... <looks around for cops), for a tang or two

the biggest miss

3. lightng the 70g will cost 33% more as the t5 bulbs are lower wattage per foot but cost the same, ugh

hmmmmmmmmmmm

fp

 

[j83]

The hawk will eat the shrimp and probably the gobies pretty quickly - not invert safe by any means . . .

 

[AllenFord_SC]

I was always told to keep work and play seperate.

 

[staticfishmonger]

my vote is for the 75g. the extra height looks nice, but it also makes a little more difficult to clean and arrange things near the bottom. not to mention with a tang on your list you will deffinatly want the added foot of lateral space.

 

[EmergencyDpt]

I'd do what the GF wants. My partner and I love the tank and often get up in the middle of the night and go scouting with the flashlight. We go on weekend trips to fish stores and plan whole days around aclimating a new fish or coral. It's a great hobby for two people to do. One person does the "decorating" and one person does the maintanance and fun stuff. LOL.

 

[fishypapas]

hey emergenctdpt,

can i guess who does the decorating and who does the maintenance? lol im betting itll be the same on this end.

its good to have someone finally understand the "metaphysical" aspect of my quandry :0).

ideally i would go for a custom 90g, which would make us both happy. shell get her "window" proportions, and id get my footprint back, although in the form of 24" depth.

36x24x24 <sigh>

i just cant justify doubling the price of the tank/stand combo for it, that is without her consent /. thats another $600 for fish, rock, light, et cetera.

by the way, love your sig quote. I think ive read it before though, in the tao te phish.

fp

 

[lossman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6589675#post6589675 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishypapas

i just cant justify doubling the price of the tank/stand combo for it, that is without her consent /. thats another $600 for fish, rock, light, et cetera.

fp

Just get it into your head that whatever your current budget is, you ARE going to exceed it by at least 50%.

BTW, my dh convinced me, rather easily I might add, that bigger is always better, especially in a reef tank! :lol: I have never regretted going with the 150g (his choice) over the 75g (my original choice).

Sally

 

[RichConley]

The 75 would be borderline for the yellow tang. The 70, is way too small.

You may want to look at the 90 gallon. Its the same footprint as a 75, but a couple inches taller.