Which 120

[hypertech]

I'm in the very early stages of constructing a tank and am fairly new to all of this. I plan to do as much DIY as I can, so I first need to determine what size tank to work around. Then I can start figuring out how everything else is going to go together.

So, I sat down with the wife and came up with a fish list. Based on my someday totally stocked fish list, I'm hoping there will be some advice on what tank size is best (we'll want some corals eventually).

Royal Gramma Basslet
A blenny of some kind
5 - Blue Green Chromis
2 - Ocellaris Clownfish
Firefish
Green Manderin
Foxface
Blue Hippo Tang
Powder Blue Tang

I expect we'll need a few others I haven't thought of (maybe a wrasse, etc).

My thought is a 120 would be a good size for that fish list, but I'm not sure if a 4x2x2 or a 6x2x1.5 would be better.

Any advice?

 

[ambaratur]

[welcome]

It seems to me that if you want the tangs they would be more happy with a 6' tank than a 4' tank. My wife and I were considering a 4' 120 and changed to a 6' 125 because we wanted a blue hippo tang.

Good luck!

 

[hypertech]

I like the tangs but my wife loves them, so they are a must. Actually, I think the only reason she is entertaining the fish tank idea is because she likes the hippo tang so much. She thinks it is cute that they "flap" backwards.

I was leaning towards the 6' for that ..... now I'm wondering if I should just go for the 180 .....

 

[ambaratur]

If you have the space I believe the 180 to be a fantastic size. The extra height and depth of the tank really make a difference in aquascaping. And the equipment will not be much different between a 125 and a 180 (slightly more powerful skimmer needed - but worth it in my opinion).

 

[DrBegalke]

I agree, go with a 180. Also, I would recommend either 3 tangs or getting a hippo that's larger then the PBT to reduce aggression.