Tank Size Question

matt the fiddler

matt the fiddler

New member
So, I am purchasing a house this week (yippie) which means since I am not renting I get to start the long process of planning my BIG at least 120 gallon tank :p possible SPS, Tangs, and Anthias...

I am trying to figure out a size for a tank, and I am torn between both 120 sizes, 150, and the 6 foot 180.

Cost wise, I already have all the rock, lights, skimmer, CA Reactor, Neilson, circulation, etc. to drive any of them. This is all left from my older overengineered BB 75 gallon that crashed from Aquacontroller CPU meltdown....

I already am planning on a pretty big sump... so there will be a substantial water volume regardless...

SO my question for those that have run big systems in the past... is the big jump in operational cost when the tank goes from 4-6 feet... or is it a linear function of volume? Initially, if the 180 has the same lights as the 120, and the circulation issue is taken care with similiar watts- would you be closer to the running costs of a 6 foot 120?

My thoughts are... going the 180
Tank cost would be more
Water changes would be more..
Power would be the same (for the way I would run it)
Heat would be equal or less, with more volume to diffuse the same .
Bio Capacity/ territory would be higher
tank could take more $$ to not look empty.

Anyone else want to chime in?
 
I think you have it nailed. Go big or go home! Oh, you are going home.... Well, do what you already know you want to do.
 
If your looking to have a good amount of fish I would go for the 180 for sure. 120's are nice for a mid level tank but i wish everyday I had more room
 
So Next Question,
What are you guys doing with sand now?

I ran my old 75 SPS Bare Bottom with a Bullet II skimmer (did I mention over enginered?)

This may telly ou how long I have been out of the Research side of the hobby for.... but,
I would like to consider a refugium for PH and Bio reasons.. or potentially a remote DSB... but is there a way to run them and still have the Bare Bottom nutrient removal work?

My long term goal is a Tank with zones, SPS, Ricordia, and zoos as the main corals...


Should I just throw out the BB mentality- and go shallow sand in the main tank?
 
ok well we are on this topic i have a 75 and would like to go upto a 120 that way i cant keep my lighting and stuff. If I upgrade will my floor hold it? Do i need special supports?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15238051#post15238051 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by iaJim
Time for JJ to weigh in on BB.
Click to expand...
I particularly like when the question gets asked like, "How much sand do I need to fill my 210 gallon?" and JJ simply responds with, "None." and leaves it at that. HAHAHAHA
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15237470#post15237470 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by matt the fiddler
waverz, where are the prices on those tanks?
Click to expand...
I think for the 300 your looking at 3.5k-ish.
 
Hey Matt,

If you go acrlyic, midwest custom aquariums in MN made mine.

GO BB!!!



Justin

Most floors should hold it, but if you can be safe & add a couple supports & basement jack under the tank.
 
The tank will be an in wall in the basement on a slab with the sump room in the back side of the Laundry. My Wife already understands no laundry chemicals on that side of the room ha ha :)

That also will help with some natural chilling.
300 gallons is more than I will do now... I am eying 125-200 with the 180 being on the top end of the scale. I mean, I want to have money left for fish if I do this :)


I close on my house tomorrow, so hopefully as i move I will get time to think about Fish Tank Placment :)
 
Oh.. crossed posting.. I totally missed your first post Jstn

I am seriosuly considering doing the BB setup I had in my 75 with Black Starboard.... I just have to make some decisions like a Chaeto refugium, keeping my Bullet II or going the mesh needle wheel, ...

For Circulation, I want the Wave box feel.... I have 2 tunzes, but I still need to get the Aqua Surf Module... I also have an Oceans Motions 4 way in storage that will be on a very nice closed loop with the sloshing waves. :D I would almost need barebottom with that circulation....

It is easy to dream big, I will just have to hope I can pull this project off at the scale I am dreaming of:
 
Last edited:
you might want to watch those mesh needle wheels, i've heard alot of horror stories about pumps burning up super early as they tend to spin far faster than they should with the weight loss on the drive shaft
 
BOY moving, painting, unpacking is a pain! Closed last week, almost getting the house livable!


180 is the absolute max, and that is pushing it. I still want room for a future frag setup, a good sump system, and most importantly a good sized QT tank..

The good news is, I changed the wall on which I want the tank to be built in on = more equip room space behind and not being on top of the laundry. The sad thing is it means only 1 side of the tank viewable to the room... and the Drain, faucet, and water supply half way across the basement.. and having to offset the rear channel of a pre installed 5.1 sound system.

Is a pool table in the equip room asking for Mr. Murphy? I have a friend looking to get rid of one, and the only spot that has really has enough cue space, not in front of a movie projector is that unfinished part I am also eyeing for a sump.
 
i wouldn't do it personally, on stray break and alot of breakage. i'm seen many unintentional jumps and they can go quite far and in a fish room, yah thats alot of money :)
 
My thoughts too.. I am trying to see if a curtian or temp. wall could be put us as separation

My wife likes the 5 foot 150, which is a big part of the battle...

Pet Smart.. (Gasp) has a sale on marineland tanks right now... I could get a 150 High reletativly cheaply... They claim they can't special order or get in what is out of stock... sigh.... don't they know what a sale is?
 
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