120 or 90 Gal Reef???

[kevinf]

Hey guys! I finally got to the point where I could take some measurements at the house I'm building and found that I'd have enough room to put in a 120 gal. I originally had intended on a 90 gal. Which one is better for a reef? I've heard that since the 120 is longer and has more surface area it's typically a little easier to keep? True?

 

[slowest is fastest]

Both a 90 gal and a 120 are the same length...4 ft The main difference is in the width (front to back) a 90 is 18" and a 120 is 24". It is IMHO much easier to aquascape a 120 with the extra 6" of depth and FWIW the 120 does have more surface area.
If you have the room ...Go for the 120 gallon.
SiF

 

[kevinf]

The 120 gal I was looking at was 72" long. The 90 gal was around 42" I think. The 90 was more box shaped while the 120 was more like a long rectangle. Make since?

 

[broomer5]

I'd imagine it would be easier ( less expensive possibly ) to light a longer 120 than a deeper 90 - if there's actually a difference in tank depth ( have not checked - too lazy now )
If you have the room - man a 120 sounds awesome !
Although I also like the look of a 90 when using a DSB and live rock. Still gives you some depth ( water ) to work with.
What substrate are you planning to use -and how much live rock is in the budget ?

 

[kevinf]

LOL I stans corrected. OK here's the dimenions of the tanks. Turns out its a 125 not 120. the 125 gal is 72x18x22 and the 90 gal is 48x18x24. So the 90 is a little deeper which is where I guess the lighting diff comes into play. I've also read that the longer tanks give more room for the fish to swim. I'm planning on around 185 lbs of live rock and a LSB. I guess what ever you save in lighting ends up going to rock. Any reccommendations?? Thanks for all your help!!!!

 

[slowest is fastest]

Well I guess the dimensions of a tank depend largely on the material and the manufacturer but if you are using an All Glass aquarium then perhaps the 72" tank is really a 125 gal??
L x W x H
90 gallon 48x18x24
120 gallon 48x24x24
125 gallon 72x18x22
FWIW I personally prefer the 120 over the 125 or the 90 for the extra width and height. The extra height on the 90 and 120 make it tougher to reach the bottom corners though (I just get something to stand on )
SiF

 

[slowest is fastest]

Well I guess you figured out the tank size thing a couple of minutes faster than I type.
Do you have an Idea yet on what type of tank setup you would like? (ie reef, fish only etc)
SiF

 

[kevinf]

Definitely reef so the lighting is going to be the biggy. I haven't had a salt tank in about 10 years. It's amazing how much things have changed. My last was a fish only.

 

[slowest is fastest]

There is not a significant difference in the cost of filtering a 125 vs a 90. There is additional costs in lighting however. A couple of examples...if you go VHO a 90 will require 1 ballast (assuming electronic) for 4 tubes while a 125 will require 2 ballasts for the same 4 bulbs(six foot). You would need two metal halide fixtures for a 90 and three for a 125...one fixture every 2 ft.
The 125 will provide more surface area and horizontal swimming area for the fish but the 90 also has the vertical advantage mentioned earlier. The 125 will also give you more space in the cabinet below for equipment etc....something I never seem to have enough of.
Either choice is a good one it all depends on what you like and a little extra cash in beginning for the 125.
Good Luck
SiF

 

[jonthefb]

if you can afford it, always go bigger. i have a 135 oceanic reef ready tank, that i wish i would have gone p to a 180,, however teh 135 was quite a step up form the old 75. anyhow, i love the 135 either way, and would defintaley reccommend gettign the 125. your fish, corals, inverts will all thank you for it because of the ROOM! its so nice to aquascape with a tank thats 2 feet deep. you can do a whole lot!
good luck, and keep us posted as to your progress!
jon

 

[broomer5]

yep KevinF,
Better just put this to rest and get yourself a 150 !

 

[kevinf]

Originally posted by broomer5
yep KevinF,
Better just put this to rest and get yourself a 150 !
LOL I wish. But I'm really limited on space in the den. Now if I could get that 125 and then the 42" Plasma tv to go over the fireplace.....

 

[broomer5]

man oh man
Big tank - Big TV
heaven

 

[yetex]

Go as big as you can because once it is set up you will always want the bigger and better tank.

 

[danrw84]

kevin, just out of curiousity, what is your profession!? this is some expensive stuff! i want to follow in your foot steps!!
i would love a 120 with 185lbs of LR! dang!

 

[kevinf]

Originally posted by danrw84
kevin, just out of curiousity, what is your profession!? this is some expensive stuff! i want to follow in your foot steps!!
i would love a 120 with 185lbs of LR! dang!
LOL, I'm a forester for a forestry consulting company. If know any foresters you'll know we don't make a lot of money. However my wife is a physical therapist and we have very little debt and NO KIDS!!! Besides after the last guitar I bought, aquariums seem a lot less expensive.

 

[fishy88]

go with the 120

 

[danrw84]

lucky

 

[saltywashington]

Kevin-
Did you say you were building? I would get a 250 or bigger and build it in the wall of the den. Then you will always have enough room.

 

[tnr]

Go with the 125 After a short time you'll wish you did.