Go big or go bigger

[ctkecth]

In contemplating a move to a bigger and more sophisticated system I am wavering between a 90 and a 120- Where the benefits of a bigger aquarium are obvious, I think no advice from anyone can push me one direction or the other. I was speaking to a friend who is pushing me toward a 120. He said that if I want to do things right I should get a Oceanic aquarium. He said they may be alittle more expensive- which is the thing that makes me stop immediately- more expense- yikes.
Are Oceanic tanks that much better than say an All Glass or perfecto?

 

[coachklm]

you can get glass 180's used for cheaper then a new 120....
more expenses can be true but there are ways around that...
make your own rock for less then a dollar a pound.....
in this hobby everyone always upgrades....that means you can pickup used equipement for cheap.... i just picked up a 135...but i know i'm still limited to what i can keep...so i may just sell it and get a 180.... patience.....

 

[emmitt]

I believe AGA and oceanic are made by the same company but Oceanic is their "A" brand. It is a little better but not sure if it is worth the extra $.

 

[ctkecth]

Used tanks scare me. I bought a 55 a few years ago that looked great ran nice for about six months and I came home to find the contents on my floor. Fresh water and not much invested - but still.
I think limitations for me in terms of size limits me to a 120.
I currently have an Outer Orbit lighting system- sweet lights- 2x150 HQI and 2x130 Actinics- Is this enough light for a 120? I am not upgrading lights.

 

[coachklm]

2x150 HQI and 2x130 Actinics- Is this enough light for a 120? I am not upgrading lights.
if your not upgrading then it's going to have to be..right???????
just my suggetioon

 

[ctkecth]

Well, I guess if it is not enough for a 120 I will go with a 90. I just purchased the lighting system and its size and power have made the switch to a bigger aquarium a certainty- just wondering what the new lights can do and what size I can have.

 

[zman1]

Originally Posted by ctkecth
In contemplating a move to a bigger and more sophisticated system I am wavering between a 90 and a 120- Where the benefits of a bigger aquarium are obvious, I think no advice from anyone can push me one direction or the other. I was speaking to a friend who is pushing me toward a 120. He said that if I want to do things right I should get a Oceanic aquarium. He said they may be alittle more expensive- which is the thing that makes me stop immediately- more expense- yikes.
Are Oceanic tanks that much better than say an All Glass or perfecto?

All Glass (AGA) and Oceanic are owned by the same company as Kent - I have an Oceanic 75 NOT Reef Ready bought in 1986 and still using it and bought an All Glass last year - 120 Reef Ready.
When I was looking at the All Glass and Oceanic the main difference was the Oceanic RR come with the stand pipes for the internal overflows and the All Glass didn't. You have to purchase the stand pipes seperate. I actually like the All Glass center tank support better even though it's solid but it's narrow. The Oceanic 75 gal has a glass center support but it's about 10" wide and gets salt creep and algae on it restricting light. Either way you won't go wrong, just pay a little more for one.
120 = 48"x24"x24"

 

[maeistero]

i have all sizes and i'd personally go with the 90 over a traditional 6ft 125. it just seems to look bigger with a 4foot deeper 90 than the long drawn out 125. oceanic is the best, their trim and quality have always impressed me. another consideration is weight. everyone preaches, but it's a very true thing to consider. if the tank is upstairs over a main beam it still can bow side to side easily with a 6ft tank. all in all i like my 180 and the 90 the best. the 180 i couldn't position by myself whereas the 90 is easy to move. (twice) if you build your own stand you can even fit an old cheap 55gal under the 90 for a sump.
another speculation is that rr tanks burst a lot more. i've moved TONS of big tanks without a single incident. i really honestly believe that it comes from drilling, especially tanks that are drilled after assembly.
that's my 2 cents, although i may be insane. i'm seriously looking at putting my 125 under the 180 for a sump and the 75 under the 90 or 135. then i can use my two 30 quarantine as sumps under the 55's i'm currently using as sumps under the big'uns. :hilarious
just realize you'll probably top out around 200gallons unless you really want to kill the bank and risk a custom tank. i wish i would've started out with the 180.