150 or 180

[doggiepuffer]

So, it has been a very long time since I have had a large tank, but this summer I am looking at getting either a 150 or a 180. Any suggestions to which would be better? I just keeping a diverse reef tank and the price difference is basically a grand plus about 500.00 for the difference in the cost of work, that i will have to have if I go the 180 Gallon Route.

 

[azaintcold]

I have a 150 reef and would always go bigger if its an option. More importantly though, i will definately do a drilled tank for overflow, and also have a closed loop circulation in the tank. I have 7 powerheads in mine right now plus the return, and could still use some flow in the front. I will be purchasing a new tank when I get the chance and, although i haven't determined the size, these things will be a definate on the list.

 

[doggiepuffer]

I know that 180 will the absolute biggest that I would consider. So I am just seeing if I should jsut go ahead and get my 180 and be done with it or get my 150 and the just upgrade latter, cause I all I am looking at doing in a mix reef tank. I am actually getting a 75 Next week, so my fox face and yellow tang will have more room.

 

[morval]

id do a 180 if i had the chance

 

[markeo99]

everybody wishes theirs was bigger I have a 150 wish it was a 250

 

[saltyfish808]

180

 

[blue eye]

Do the 180, get it now and then u want have to upgrade later.

 

[falsepercula26]

don't kick urself later- get the 180 now.

 

[spiderwoman]

Depends on the dimensions. If the 180 has the same foot print as the 150 and only higher, I'd go with 150. If the 180 is 24 inches deep instead of 18, then I'd take the 180. 150 is most likely already 28 inches tall (water height) so you do not want to go any taller than that. If I could have chosen, I would have gone with 24 inch tall and 24 inch deep tank.

 

[doggiepuffer]

The Dimensions of the two tanks are as follows:
150 72 X 18 X 28
180 72 X 24 X 24
I am actually getting the tank this summer, as I am upgrading my 30 Gallon saltwater to a 75 Gallon tank and moving my Freshwater fish from my 29 Gallon BioCube to the 30 Gallon Aquarium. As I have gotten back into having reef setup (had a stark tank about 10-12 years ago) I still like the fish that require the larger tanks LOL

 

[wangotango]

The dimensions of the 180 are perfect. You can do a lot of fun stuff in 24" of tank width that you cannot with 18" so go for the 180.
It's also easier to reach the bottom.
-Justin

 

[globaldesigns]

I personally have a 175G tank with a 105G refugium.
The larger the tank the more options you will have for fish, but also the more water volume you will have which is better for an overall stable environment.
I would go the larger route, and make sure you have a decent size refuge to go with it.

 

[doggiepuffer]

Well, I think the 180's Have it!

 

[stdreb27]

what are you keeping in your tank? If you are doing a dogface puffer, I'd definitely go bigger.

 

[doggiepuffer]

I am going to keep it as a reef tank. I love Dogface Puffers, however since they are not reef safe, I will not be able to have one :-( The 180 Gallon Tank is going to be a project this summer. I have a 75g Upgrade that I am doing this week. It is an upgrade from my 30g and my Fish are not going to know what to do with all the extra space.

 

[doggiepuffer]

I double checked with the LFS on the tank dimensions, I am I was slight off
150 72 X 18 X 28 Reef Tank Setup (Everything but LR) 1649.00
180 72 X 24 X 25 Reef Tank Setup (Everything but LR) 2499.00
Also, I have to buy the Protein Skimmer and for a tank that size, they recommanded an in-line chiller as well. So, I am definetly going with the Chiller. The lighting I beleive is the Obits??

 

[m0nk]

I was originally considering a 125 or 150 but went with the 180g because of the depth. I like how it looks with 2ft back to the wall, it comes out as more of a 3D reef.

 

[doggiepuffer]

Any recommandations on a Chiller?? I know they seem to run about 500-600 dollars, or at least the ones I have seem and I was looking at the Coralife Protein Skimmer for up to a 225 Gallon Tank... or is there a better one for the price, that ones runs about 207.00

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by DoggiePuffer
http:///forum/post/2842443
Any recommandations on a Chiller?? I know they seem to run about 500-600 dollars, or at least the ones I have seem and I was looking at the Coralife Protein Skimmer for up to a 225 Gallon Tank... or is there a better one for the price, that ones runs about 207.00
I wouldn't do a corolife skimmer at all. I'd look here and on other forums for used high end skimmers. You can find a euroreef, and others in the 200 dollar neighborhood that will be a night and day difference from the corolife skimmer.

 

[m0nk]

Originally Posted by DoggiePuffer
http:///forum/post/2842443
Any recommandations on a Chiller?? I know they seem to run about 500-600 dollars, or at least the ones I have seem and I was looking at the Coralife Protein Skimmer for up to a 225 Gallon Tank... or is there a better one for the price, that ones runs about 207.00
Sorry, I don't run a chiller, just keep the AC at 76 degrees during the summer, and have fans in the canopy, and it does alright. I even have 4x 175w MH and 2x 160w VHO.