Upgrading from 90g to 165/180g - New member!

Bubbles200

New member
**For the TLDR type --> looking at custom 165g by Great Lakes Aquariums w/ custom sump vs Aqueon 180g w/ off-the-shelf sump --> What would you do?**

Hello everyone,

New to Reef Central and curious to see if I can get some insight (partly curious to see if anyone responds to this thread even). I've been into aquariums for most of my life. I've had various fresh water aquariums as a kid and dabbled in saltwater with mixed results. After taking many years off, last year I purchased a 90 gallon and jumped in head first. It's been a very fun hobby thus far.

I'm to the point where I'm itching badly to move into the realm of big tanks. I feel like I know enough to be dangerous after much internet browsing and harassing of my LFS.

My thoughts are to upgrade to a custom 165 gallon or go into a standard 180 gallon. I want a six foot tank in the worst way. The Aqueon 125g really caught my eye, but the 18 inch depth seems limiting.

Here's what I'm interested:
- Custom 165g (72x24x22) by Great Lakes Aquariums in Hazel Park, MI
- or 180g Aqueon (72.5" x 24.5" x 25.7")
- MP40s, but open to other options
- ASM or Reef Octopus Skimmer
- Kessil Lighting - 360s (Already have two on my 90, would get 1 more)
- Possible addition of 2 T5s used in addition of Kessils (Would need a canopy for this)
- Sump - Prefer buying something with pre made chambers and customizing from there (refugium, skimmer)(GLA has a pretty sweet setup for the 165g)
- 165 attractive because it's unique and cool

Anyone care to comment? Similar stories? Custom vs standard tanks?

Thanks!

Bubbles200
 
I'd check the overflow/drain design on both and see if it's what you wanna run. A lot of the predrilled tanks don't allow for herbie, bean setups unless you do more drilling so that may play a factor in your choice.
 
This is news to me completely. I can do more research, but what are the main differences between Herbie and BeanAnimal? My initial search shows the Bean is a good way to go.

PS - the 165g has three holes and the Aqueon would have two per overflow...with two overflows.
 
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