125 vs. 120

[Nick7]

I\m going to be building a in-wall tank next summer when I buy a house. Trying to get as much info before the plans get started so I can make life easier on myself.

So my burning question:

would you rather have a 72x18x22 125g or a 48x24x24 120g? and why?

thanks

[Cantonesefish]

I originally went with a 125 because I wanted the 6' space for a powder blue tang.

And then I realized for a healthy powder blue you want something more like a 300g. I don't like to keep fish unless I can keep them long term.

In my opinion, having the 2' front to back is much nicer than having a 2' longer tank. Much more options for aquascaping and growout for corals, also it makes your aquarium more natural looking. I would taake the 120 =)

[ludnix]

If I was going for the full 6 foot tank, I'd just get the 180g, it's like the 120, but longer. The 125 will have more lateral swimming area for fish, but will also require more lighting than a 120.

[Nick7]

i thought about that.

I think the 180 is gonna put me too far over budget due to more live rock/bigger skimmer/more lighting.

[jhritz]

if you do a quick search on RC or even google you can find 125's and 120's that are absolutely amazing. you can do lots of different stuff in each tank, so basically its a matter of personal opinion. do you want a paneramic tank or a more square tank in your wall. to a lot of people that do in wall tanks its a matter of how much room to work with (sometimes they dont have 6ft of wall to work with, and sometimes they don't have a wall that permits a 24" Wide tank.) instead of planning on what size tank, i would plan what you want to do with the tank, what you are looking to keep in the tank, and the decide if the 125 or 120 would work better.

IMO bigger is always better, but we're only talking about a 5 gallon difference so like i said it just depends on what you plan to do with it.

[Intothedarkdeep]

Go with the 120g. The extra 6" of width will be great and you would need less lighting.

[lietz06]

I would personally go with the 125 just because of the extra length for your big swimmers.

[downhillbiker]

I would personally go with the 120, or 180 if you want a 6' tank. The 24" width will make a huge difference, 24x24x are great size tanks.

[tank o tang]

Not that big of a difference in equipment needed to run a 180 compared to a 125, but a huge difference in look. Go 180.

[mcoomer]

I really like tanks that have extra depth front to back. Some of the best looking tanks I've ever seen are shallower tanks with rock islands in the rear corners and open space in the front.

Mike

[usefulidiot213]

I would got with the 120 because of the extra depth, and you save with lighting. I enjoy the 6' tank, due to the extra swimming room. However, that 18" depth is a pain in the A$$ to work with when it comes to scaping and coral grow out.

[BigMike75]

Just like everyone above, bigger fish you would want the 6 ft tank. Better look 120 IMO. I am setting up a 90 reef right now but I have a 120 that is a FW tank. So down the road when I need a bigger reef tank I can change out my freshwater tank and use all my same stuff over.

[lordofthereef]

I would also go with the 120, but that is because I like the "boxy deeper" look. Being that you are planning in-wall I persoanlly feel like a longer tank would look better since you are losing the two side viewing angles.

[am3gross]

6 ft is the best!

[sean obergfell]

How about a 60x24x24

[Ev's Reef]

I would perfer the 125 gallon, because I love the deminsions of that tank. I would like the extra room, because I love tangs, and angels. Plus more room for SPS and LPS corals.:dance:

[bigworm175]

120 for sure. The depth and height is so much better looking than length. Looks more natural to me and less lighting. I don't like "skinny" tanks. If you can go 180 even better.

EV, why do you say more room for sps? Depends on how you set it up.

[Luckylouse]

I struggled with the same thing so I has one built custom.

52"x26"x23". It should be ready in 3 weeks!

[flying_dutchman]

Get a marker and draw the frame of both tanks on the wall and see what you like better.

[dwculp]

How about a 150 from glasscages.com that is 48X30X25 tall?

Anyways, given the choice, I like deeper tanks as it looks better and gives you much more options in aquascaping.

[DGee]

120 or save a little more cash and buy a 180... You'll regret buying the 125 and spending all the time to build and in wall out of a tank with such little depth.

If it were me I'd save the money and get the 180.

[jbird69]

120g 48x24x24 is my dream tank. I feel it is the most versitile size tank for aquascaping and efficient lighting. There are a few species of tangs that will do fine in a 120.

[sedor]

I'd go with the 120 as well...however you are going in-wall and in that particular situation I think I would rather have the extra length. This is of course if your doing just the standard from view. What would be even better would be to get the 120 and install the tank on a corner so you get both the length and depth to view. I know i'm not helping much :) With the 120 you will save about $200 on the lighting, but in the long run that's nothing.

I'm confusing myself now :D Good luck with the decision, its more important you make a nice build thread when you get the tank anyways.

[arrowheadpuffer]

120 for these reasons:

o- depth, it really makes the tank look better!

o- If your over-budget with a 180, the 125 is gonna need 6' bulbs or 3 MHs, which is gonna be a good deal more than 4' or 2mh.

[dwd5813]

i think the 120 is a better use of space, but i would love a longer tank were i going in wall. i would reconsider saving up for the 180 if it were me.

[laredo300c]

a 120 48x24x24 is my dream tank.....and will be my christmas present this year.....still kinda shopping around for a 48x30x24 just to go all out, but i'm sure if i END UP with a 48x24x24 i will be just as happy. better for corals

[eros]

48x24x30 is a 150g

[Uncko Macko]

Can't decide? meet in the middle. 120H = 60"x18"x25
I love my 5 footer. I think 1 foot longer or shorter would throw off the look in my living room.

[Charlie Davidson]

125! -- is anyone keeping count? 50/50 ?

[syrinx]

Whatever looks best in the room as the dutchman said. I like 120s- but in the wall I like a longer tank.

[davocean]

120g is definitely a better footprint, easier to scape.

[Dzel]

125 for the extra long space.

[jenglish]

If you want tangs, the 125. If you aren't looking at any large burst swimmers the 120 offers more room for aquascaping. I would say use the equipment you were planning on using for the 125 and get a 180 :thumbsup: Skimmers are rated in gallons but it is really more a measure of bioload. But gallons is easier to estimate than FPPD (fish poops per day).

[discus510]

ill go with the biggest ur money allow u to do. especially if ur doin an in-wall. i just built a 320 with 84 x 30 x 30 and now i wish i didnt spend the money on tat and use it for a 120 x 48 x 36 in wall.

[Uncko Macko]

Check out GlassCages.com

[Anemonebuff]

I regret getting the 125. I wish I got the 120. It ls easier to aquascape a 24" wide tank. Plus the 6' tank costs more to light, both in initial cost and bulb replacement. My next tank will be 24" wide whether I go 4' or 5' in length.