48" 90 gallon VS. 60" 120 gallon - need your help...

[saltwater8]

Hey everyone,
I have been going back and forth on this and would appreciate some input from some of you regulars....lol

I am looking at either a new 90 gallon (48x18x24) set up or a 120 gallon (60x18x26) set up - the 120 is obviously more.
My question is - does the extra foot make that much of a difference?
I know there are fish where it says that they require 100 gallons, but I am not sure if the extra foot is worth the extra money.
Please help!
Thanks as always.
:happyfish

 

[stingrayjs]

Hard to say, workign on my 125 which is a good bit taller that my 75 tank. It is to tall for me to reach in normaly and im 6 foot 3! So I need a steep stool and if I want to reach the bottom I need to put a mask on...yep I need to go into the tank!
Just something else to keep i mind, get something you can handle, unlike me, but I guess its all fun.

 

[pontius]

depending on your filtration, the extra 30 gallons means around another 10 inches of fish that you can have. if it's one or the other, get the 120.

 

[namas05]

Bigger is better.
As far as the difference it is about 30 gallons. lol
Bigger is always better. It will keep you from upgrading as soon. And if you have the room for it why not?

 

[maxalmon]

Also look at the cost of lighting, the 48" lights vs 60" lights. :thinking: the 60" lights run about the same price as a 72" fixture, so why not just go with a 180g

 

[saltwater8]

Originally Posted by maxalmon
Also look at the cost of lighting, the 48" lights vs 60" lights. :thinking: the 60" lights run about the same price as a 72" fixture, so why not just go with a 180g

LMAO, dont even go there!!!

The odd thing is the 150 gallon set up is CHEAPER than the 120 gallon, because the 150 set-up is on sale, the 120 is not....
However, I dont have room for the 72" 150..... The 120 is stretching it.....
***)

 

[turningtim]

I just picked up a 120 (60") and I have to say ity does make a difference. I don't have it set up but it was set at the house where I got it. I like the added length and the 26" height makes for a great display........
Go for the 120
Tim

 

[saltwater8]

Originally Posted by TurningTim
I just picked up a 120 (60") and I have to say ity does make a difference. I don't have it set up but it was set at the house where I got it. I like the added length and the 26" height makes for a great display........
Go for the 120
Tim
I dont suppose you got the Prestige stand and canopy?

 

[maxalmon]

I just setup a 125 for a client, it's just such an awesome size tank, not so big like a 180 or 240 that busts the bank setting it up. You have room to expand your coral selection, visually I just like the look of a 125.

 

[n2theblue]

I just picked up our new 90 and it looks too small.

I kinda think the extra length of the 120 would make the fish happier.

 

[turningtim]

Originally Posted by Saltwater8
I dont suppose you got the Prestige stand and canopy?

Nope, TurningTim stand and canopy

I just bought the tank and some other little do-dads.........

 

[davidmwj]

My personal experience. I was looking at bigger than 90 when I first went shopping. However, I wanted a drilled tank as well and IIRC anything larger than 90 had two overflows. Also, the store had two sumps in the thing and I kept hearing the cash register sound in my head. So that scared me away from the larger, but now I know you can get/build one larger sump to support the tank and overflows. Don't forget that you have to fill that thing up with rock too. I still want to put more rock in mine. Saving my pennies.

 

[coachklm]

i went 135g for swimming room and ease to get in and out to clean.

 

[emperor11]

I'd do the 90..just because IMO tanks look bad with little width. The 90 is 18" wide, and its just a nice tank overall.

 

[jhawk]

I would go with the 120 or get rid of the TV or something and get the 150 that is cheaper.I like long tanks over short tanks just more things you can do plus I enjoy watching the fish swimming back in fouth they cant get the speed in a short tank Look around on this site at some pic of the 90's and 120's to see what other people have done with the tanks maybe it can give you some idea what you really want.The bigger the tank the easier to care for

 

[indymatt]

I just got a 90 because my 55 cracked. Get the 120, it is more money but it is longer and the water has more air contact. Bigger is definitely better, as long as you can stock and set it up to the same specs as a 90, i.e. not cutting corners. I got the 90 and will probably be upgrading my lighting in a year or so.