Omg !!!!!

[cjrudy]

The wife just gave me the go ahead for a 75 gallon reef tank (currently have a 29 gallon BioCube)

WooHoo !!

Let the planning begin

[DoubleM 10]

good for you. i just got the ok for a 46 bow front lol good to hear other poeple are getting the green light

[galoot]

1st step. buy a bigger tank, but tell her it's only a 75!

[cjrudy]

nice

[greech]

1st step. buy a bigger tank, but tell her it's only a 75!

A 120 sounds about right.

:beer:

[unbreakable]

A 120 sounds about right.

:beer:

would be better!

[mallorieGgator]

1st step. buy a bigger tank, but tell her it's only a 75!

Oh, that's just evil...

[cjrudy]

I'll stick with the 75, probably all I can afford

[username in use]

90 is the same footprint, so the stand will say 75 on it.

[afernandez]

90 is the same footprint, so the stand will say 75 on it.

:lol: that's what I was going to tell him :)

[bamf25]

My wife gave me the ok for my 1st tank ever!! I am getting a 120g as soon as I can pick it up.

[Hurdicuss]

My first reef tank was a 75, and when I come across old pics honestly I think it was my best reef tank thus far. I think 40 breeders and 75's are a great starting point for breaking in new reefers... Both have great dimensions for a reef tank (personally although it would be larger, i do not care for the added height of a standard 90), there is a galaxy of 36" and 48" light choices out there, equipment to run this size tank does not cost an arm and a leg, you have a good selection of livestock for a tank this size and they are both standard, common sizes so finding one won't be a problem and the tank itself won't break the bank!

Although, I do agree with the above posters... In that, since you are upgrading, go as big as you can for what space and money (and of corse the wife ;) will allow). Otherwise, sooner than later you will realize "Well... Yeah, we could have fit a 120 in the same space..." Or... "We should have just sprung for the 180..."

My last little bit of advice for anyone in your position is to buy equipment overrated for the 75 you are planning for. That way, when the upgrade bug bites again (and it will!) hopefully you can manage with carrying your existing equipment over to the next upgrade lowering your next start-up expenses.

Hope this helps. It's great to have a spouse who supports and enjoys your addiction... er, I mean hobby... Especially when you will invest more in your system than you probably will on your house or kid's college fund! :lol: Good luck with the upgrade, and there are certainly enough build-log junkies lingering about so you should post a log for it.

[scaryperson27]

The only thing that really is going to take a majow hit your wallet more going from a 75 to a 120 is the tank itself.

Keep tabs on Craigslist and see if you can find something cool, custom, etc!

[cjrudy]

All good advice, Thanks

[Patrick Cox]

Congrats! I am installing a 57G rimless today. This is an upgrade from my short lived 36G Bowfront. I don't have room for a 48" tank. (unless I can convince my wife to move her desk out of our office.) ;)

[sslak]

90 is the same footprint, so the stand will say 75 on it.

Deeper tank will cost you more on the electric bill for lighting and more water means more salt and more 2-part.

It's not the glass box that's expensive, it's the monthly upkeep that gets you. Plan for what you can afford!

[travis32]

I went from a 55 to a 125g. I'm running 2 heaters instead of 1. Got a good deal on criagslist on tank, stand, controller, lighting, etc.

I went from PCs 4 X 65 W to 2 X 250W MHs. I ran the PCS 11 hours, The MHs around 6 -9. In reality, based on the electric bill so far (3 months of the 125g). the dosing is a little more, but not much as I'm still getting by with limewater dosing. I upgraded to RODI, but, in general, the monthly maintenance isn't too much different than my 55g as long as one keeps on top of things.

I haven't done a water change yet, I have a ATS and macro fuge starting up. I'm doing things on a limited budget and so far, it's been extremely successful.

I limit feeding to every 2 to 3 days, and over the last 3 months my SPS, LPS< and Soft corals are showing signs of growth and happiness..

Buy "quality" used where you can. (be cautious, don't buy new unless you have to. ) I got the 125g through a semi local (150 miles away) reef club. And it's been great. A very honest person, and he delivered and helped me set it up and everything.

Just be careful when searching used and know what you're looking for.

[iwishtofish]

The only thing that really is going to take a majow hit your wallet more going from a 75 to a 120 is the tank itself.

Keep tabs on Craigslist and see if you can find something cool, custom, etc!

No offense, but not necessarily. Someone choosing a 120 over a 75 might decide an 8-bulb T5 fixture would be better than a 6-bulb. This would be considerably more expense up-front, and more with the purchase of replacement bulbs over time. A 120 would probably need more live rock and sand. Maybe another powerhead, if water circulation is key. Not to mention a bigger stand, more salt...everything adds up (fast). Oh, and then there is electricity.

One thing I've learned is that cost increases dramatically as one goes bigger.

[scaryperson27]

Yeah that's true but if you are going with metal halides, you can put those on a 120 and pretty much achieve the same thing. As far as waterflow, I think having the same amount of rock as you would have in a 75 would make for a nice open layout in a 120, which would make it easy to achieve a good pattern of waterflow.

You would need more sand
another powerhead or two
You could use the same lighting.

You're saying the cost dramatically increases.
I'm saying it doesn't increase dramatically.

If you can find a good deal on the craigs on a larger 4' tank, then you will be golden!

[iwishtofish]

Maybe it's just "dramatically" for me! :rollface:

[Crush Coral]

I have a 75 and I wish it was 4 inches shallower and 6 inches larger from front to back. Should come out to about 100 gal but have not calculated it yet. I believe that if you easily reach the bottom of the tank for playing with it it is a lot more fun. I am 6' 2" and still can not reach the entire bottom of my tank comfortably. My 75 is not drilled so no sump. I think this summer I will have a tank made and I will build a stand to the specks I mentioned.

[tprize]

Maybe it's just "dramatically" for me! :rollface:

No you are correct

50 pounds of sand more 50 pounds of live rock more corals to fill the void you have more fish to fill the void you have. It's not just equipment costs sometimes it's aesthetic costs as well to get the same look and feel from a 75 to a 125 is a lot more money.

Personally I say go smaller and get nicer equipment nicer corals more automation etc..

[xtm]

lol, congrats.

My wife "wanted" me to upgrade to a 300g or more.. I told her sure, as long as you'll be the one doing the water changes :lol:

[IDrawFish]

You've got a good wife cjrudy but apparently not as cool as xtm's lol, Mine would let me do anything but the condo association won't ;O(

[ReefyReef]

CONGRATS! I usually buy first and deal with the headache afterwards =) it was hard trying to explain a $400 powerhead to her

[rnscross]

CONGRATS! I usually buy first and deal with the headache afterwards =) it was hard trying to explain a $400 powerhead to her

thats priceless :lmao:

[willandmelsreef]

waitng for my wife to ok a 240 gallon