Please help me decide 120g vs. 90g reef

[Roblox84]

I am upgrading my 55 gallon tank and wanted your opinions on the mainenance/cost differences between a 90 and 120/125 gallon tank. I don't like constant tank maintenance as my maintenance schedule is rather sparse right now. I just like to sit and look at the tank most of the time. Would getting the 120 just be asking for trouble? Also the other thing that concerns me is the amount of live rock that I would need to get for a 120 versus 50 pounds or so less for the 90. What do you guy's think?

[Pallobi]

if loot isnt an issue, you'll love the 120... i promise :) the added depth is wonderful for the inhabitants and your aquascaping visions and needs ;)

[csarkar001]

I am upgrading my 55 gallon tank and wanted your opinions on the mainenance/cost differences between a 90 and 120 gallon tank. I don't like constant tank maintenance as my maintenance schedule is rather sparse right now. I just like to sit and look at the tank most of the time. Would getting the 120 just be asking for trouble? Also the other thing that concerns me is the amount of live rock that I would need to get for a 120 versus 50 pounds or so less for the 90. What do you guy's think?

perhaps this will be a controversial statement but my own experience is that up to a point, larger tanks are more stable and thus may require less attention overall.

[Pallobi]

and imo, the amount of live rock in your system only needs to be what you want it too be, you dont need to worry bout any pound per gallon rule... its nonsense in my opinion... a good skimmer and some live aragonite will take care of that... maybe run some carbon too

[Pallobi]

perhaps this will be a controversial statement but my own experience is that up to a point, larger tanks are more stable and thus may require less attention overall.

agreed

[Matt Dean]

I absolutely agree csarkar001. Once the tank is established (a year or so) The larger tank will be more stable and less hassle. Lots of people only do water changes once a month in large systems. You can automate as much as you can afford - even water changes - and, with good husbandry and a reasonable bio load, your tank should be very easy to take care of.

Of course, easy to take care of is a relative term in this hobby. If you really take your time and plan things out and do things right, you should have fairly smooth sailing.

So, go with the 125 - that's what I have and love it. Just make sure you have a quality, over rated skimmer and any thing else that will help with your water quality.

Good luck

[Roblox84]

How much live rock do you think I would need in the 120 to have a "nice" decor, maybe a nice island to grow some coral on, but enough to not make the take look very empty? Because I really don't want to go and buy 150 pounds of rock to make an actual giant reef.

[ultreef]

go for a 120 (4x2x2) you will not regret it. Cost wise, I don't think it's that much more over a 90g.

ie. t5 fixtures, if you're already in the 48" range, then going for an extra 2 bulbs isn't going to cost you that much more.

Skimmer that's rated for a 90 will probably work just fine on a 120g.

You'll love the extra 6" on the 120g.

[Matt Dean]

I have to disagree that the skimmer for the 90 will suffice. You want a realistically over rated skimmer for that tank, if you want maintenance to be low. I use a Bubble King 200 on my 125. Water parameters are always good and the tank is clean.

As for rock, I have around 150 pounds of rock. I have some in the sump and some in my overflow. you could probably get away with 120, coupled with the skimmer and some GFO+GAC. A refugium would go far for the health of the tank as well.

As for dimension, I have a 60X24X20(high) and love it. It's 125. You can still use a 48" light on it. Just keep corals that need high light out of the corners. You can have a lot of fun with the aquascape as well in those dimensions. Min e is a peninsula, but here's an idea of what 110 to 120 pounds of rock in the display can look like.

Cheers

http://www.mattdean.com/build/sixmonths.jpg

[strike2867]

I asked this question a while ago here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1832637

I went with a 90, and couldn't be happier. The height and the width turned out to be great.

[Roblox84]

I have to disagree that the skimmer for the 90 will suffice. You want a realistically over rated skimmer for that tank, if you want maintenance to be low. I use a Bubble King 200 on my 125. Water parameters are always good and the tank is clean.

As for rock, I have around 150 pounds of rock. I have some in the sump and some in my overflow. you could probably get away with 120, coupled with the skimmer and some GFO+GAC. A refugium would go far for the health of the tank as well.

As for dimension, I have a 60X24X20(high) and love it. It's 125. You can still use a 48" light on it. Just keep corals that need high light out of the corners. You can have a lot of fun with the aquascape as well in those dimensions. Min e is a peninsula, but here's an idea of what 110 to 120 pounds of rock in the display can look like.

Cheers

http://www.mattdean.com/build/sixmonths.jpg

man that's crazy nice. how do you keep your rock and sand so clean and algae free?

[Matt Dean]

That is what I've been trying to tell you. Go big on the equipment. Get the best you can afford and you will not be sorry. I have really good filtration (BK 200 skimmer, UV sterilizer, refugium, GFO, GAC) AMAZING flow, and the tangs take care of the rest:)

I think flow is very important, too. I have a closed loop and an MP20 on the end. It creates a 'vortech' that goes from the sump return down to the closed loop, across the bottom and up to the MP20 back to the overflow. keeps everything clean and aerated. I have NO dead spots in the tank.

[Matt Dean]

Oh, I should also say, I have had almost NO algae problems, short of a LITTLE cyano on the sand that goes away by itself, since I set the tank up 6 months ago.

[Roblox84]

can u post a pic

[EMUReef]

welp to say the least i just set up a new tank about 1 1/2 months ago. I was in the same boat as you but i wasn't to set on what i wanted and was in no hurry so kept an eye out for a used tank at the right price.

I would have liked/Regret not getting a 120g. But since i got my 90g for 60$ im pretty happy with it.

here's my setup.

pictures make the tank look small.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a255/RussWLW2004/081710_19.jpg

[Matt Dean]

can u post a pic

Who me? of what? :)

[Gary Majchrzak]

I am upgrading my 55 gallon tank and wanted your opinions on the mainenance/cost differences between a 90 and 120/125 gallon tank. I don't like constant tank maintenance as my maintenance schedule is rather sparse right now. I just like to sit and look at the tank most of the time. Would getting the 120 just be asking for trouble? Also the other thing that concerns me is the amount of live rock that I would need to get for a 120 versus 50 pounds or so less for the 90. What do you guy's think?
no brainer IMO: 48" x 24" x 24" 120

[winvargh]

Well I say you should get the 120 because I got a 90 and I regret getting it. I really wanted the 120

[davocean]

120g is just one of the best footprints there is for scaping, not a seconds thought for me.

[Liquid Hobby]

I'm building a 120... that's my choice! Bigger is always better.

[Roblox84]

Who me? of what? :)

sorry i was asking if strike could post a pick of his 90

[Roblox84]

Matt Dean, i'm putting this tank built in to a wall. Will the 120 be nice for that too?

[Fishamatank]

I upgraded from a 55 to a 120 and love it. It is 6" taller and twice as wide than the 55.

I did not add any rock to the 120 when I upgraded. Granted the 55 was packed, but I like the look of a little less rock.

[Matt Dean]

Of course! It will be amazing. What are you waiting for? Go DO IT!:bounce1:

[AMIFL]

Go for the 120! It's nice to have the extra 6" of depth. The only trouble that I've had is reaching the bottom of the back of the tank. Good luck!

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u207/lost1317/reef-0050.jpg

[Mrbeachbum2]

120 no if ands or buts!

More stable. Don't really need more LR. Looks better with less!

[Roblox84]

I upgraded from a 55 to a 120 and love it. It is 6" taller and twice as wide than the 55.

I did not add any rock to the 120 when I upgraded. Granted the 55 was packed, but I like the look of a little less rock.

How many pounds of rock do you think you have now?

[Roblox84]

AMIFL......How many pounds of rock is that?

[AMIFL]

I would say it's around 100lbs or maybe a little more. I left a lot of room for my SPS to grow out. I've had most of the sps since October and after about another year, it should fill out nicely. I run a fuge too but I'm in the process of eliminating the dsb in there, bit by bit.