What tank should I buy?

[kyounes]

I've been looking around to buy a new tank. My wife wants acrylic. She also doesn't want to deal with a 6foot long tank.

I guess a 48*24*24 120g is what we are looking for. I'd like to know what you guys think about getting an acrylic tank vs a glass tank. What do you think about a 4foot long 120g? should I get a 6foot long one?

This is what we are planning to buy => 120g RR
Any comments ? Thanks.

 

[phishcrazee]

I like to sometimes get both arms into my tank, such as to move LR around, so I don't like the cutouts on top. Acrylic scratches, but otherwise, I personally would go with a more open top tank

 

[leeweber85]

That size is great for corals. For fish it would be best to get the 6' tank so it depends on what your plans are. 48" is a lot cheaper to light though.

I don't know much about prices for that size, but it looks pretty expensive. You could probably get an AGA glass one for cheaper.

 

[thugmebaby]

Don't go acrylic if your moving around things. It scratches WAY to easily and is a ***** to get out scratches. Clarity is the biggest advantage to acrylic vs glass according to most people you ask.

 

[slovan]

I have a 120 gallon reef ready Oceanic. It's a good tank if you don't want to go really big. The 24" depth is really nice to have compared to the 18" depth on a standard 75, 90 or 125.

 

[tibbs2]

I'd say if you're not going 6 ft, get a cube!

 

[flyingace2005]

Oceanic has a new 1/2 cylinder out. Its 144gal and 57.5x29x29 Iowa petfoods has it set up in there store it is pretty sweet. I think that it is pricey though.

 

[Fishy1]

I just bought a 120....4'x2'x2' and a friend of mine has one too......leeweber85
gave you good tips on the four foot vs. six foot tanks. In the end, you decide

Janey

 

[kyounes]

Thanks for all the replies. Now I have to think a lot.

 

[Sk8r]

You could get a really big corner, which would save you some wall space.

I've had both glass and acrylic. I find no drawbacks to glass except the weight when trying to move the tank. You can clean coralline off its walls with a razor blade. On acrylic, it's a real pain. Show the wife a really corallined tank and explain that possible future.

The acrylic tank I had both scratched, and after about 6 years of use began to bow outward alarmingly in the middle. I'm curious whether the combination of very bright light and warmth is likely to do to a long-run acrylic, or whether it was just a design flaw in mine.

 

[kyounes]

I decided to go with a 120 4x2x2 All Glass Aquarium.

I'm buying it from my LFS here in Rochester,mn.
499 shipping included.

Does that sound like a decent price, or am i getting ripped off ?

the LFS wants an additional 120$ to drill the tank. Could I just drill it myself?

 

[acidlittle]

120 is (IMO) kinda pricey, but if they garentee that they won't crack it then, I would let them. Better them to crack the tank and replace it, then you crack the tank and have to replace it.

Josh

 

[kyounes]

Should i just buy an overflow box? and forget about RR ?
I've never had a RR tank and I've never had a sump. What do you guys think about it.

 

[sgarrett1108]

I bought one not to long ago for under 400 in iowa city. rr as well

 

[Fishy1]

Thought I heard someone mention that Foreman and Ford drills tank for cheap.....12.00? You have to take the tank to them, leave it overnight and then pick it up the next day. No guarantee but I heard they rarely have any trouble......others may know if this is true or not......


120 gallon non reef-ready tank with stand and strip light was $725.00 here in one Des Moines LFS.

Janey

 

[KingSpade]

i would just buy a pre-drilled tank with built in overflows, you can get a 125 gallon for $450 brand new, so im sure the 120 gallon would be a little cheaper, i have a 125 and i love it for my fish but takes a little longer to stock woth corals.

 

[kyounes]

How would it change my life to have RR as opposed to add an overflow box in the back? Like i said, I've never had one, so I'd like to know if you guys think it's a big deal. Would it be extra work on a daily-weekly basis?

BTW, Thanx for all the replies!

 

[Fishy1]

I've had both a 55 and a 75 without overflows/sumps. My new RR 120 has built in overflows. Aesthetics alone is reason enough for getting the RR tank. I got tired of seeing my skimmer, powerheads, heater and Emperors hanging off the back of the tank. Sumps are a great place to hide these things

Janey