120 or 125 gal.?

[skimmer22]

I am new to the board, so first of Hello. I will be moving up from a 55gal. and was just wondering if I should go 120 that would be 48in. long or a 125 that is 72 in long? If I go with the 125 would I need three MH? All the info I have read from this sight has been a great help.

 

[tronicsdr]

Do you run MH in your 55?
Typically most MHs cover 24" of tank so most 125s would have 3.
Personally I try and stay cost effective and use VHOs. a 72" VHO is 160W. and will last a lot longer than a MH and is much cheaper to replace...
In my 125 I run 4 VHOs which equals a bit more than 4W per Gal
Hope that helps, welcome to the board

 

[skimmer22]

I don't run MH on my 55. I have 6X65 watt coralife. It's two light fixtures. I have had my saltwater tank going for a year now and it has done great. I was giving myself a year to see if I could do it and now I'm Hooked! I have soft and some LPS.

 

[jayc]

Hi skimmer, and welcome to the boards!! I personaly would go with the 125, because you could keep more in it then in a 120. Just my oppion. I'm perty sure u would want to go with 3 mh's, if thats what u decided to use for lighting.
Josh

 

[skimmer22]

Thanks all. I think I will go with 125 and three MH.

 

[skimmer22]

Thanks all. I think I will go with 125 and three MH.

 

[hopkins6]

I'd go big, but whatever you can afford

 

[zman1]

I went with a 120.... considered both, but I like the width of a 120 and it required 1 less MH. The 125 base RR tank cost a little less in my area than the 120 RR not sure why. What I liked about the 125 was the length as it would give more opportunity for other fish, but the goal on this one for me is to be a reef tank. The width gives greater depth view over my 75 which has a width as the 125 18".
Either way, I don't think you could go wrong with either one... Good luck