125 Gallon Marineland tank?

[Rangerbob86]

I’ve been researching and preparing for my first reef tank for about 6 months now, and am almost ready to get started. I have a six foot space in my living room and was planning on either a 125 or 180 gallon tank. I went into my LFS today and the owner recommended a 125 Marineland glass tank with 2 corner overflows, a black background, and black silicone. It came with a nice black stand, sump, and all necessary plumbing parts. It also comes with free delivery and setup. The price is $1200.

Does this seem like a good price? He also let me know that I’ll get discounts on live rock and fish if I purchase a tank from him. I had been considering rimless for a while, but think I’ve decided against it. I was also considering getting a custom made tank with starphire glass, but he made it seem like as long as the tank is clean, it’s not worth it.

Any recommendations either way? Any help is appreciated!

[Pluedke1]

I love my rimless starphire but that is a decent deal if they set it up and give you discounts on other products. Starphire IMO is a very noticeable difference. since you have already waited, get a starphire 180. You won't regret it. Make sure you won't be moving anytime soon, will be a heavy b. Good luck in whichever venture you choose!

[Rangerbob86]

Thanks for the reply. So you'd get a 180 starphire rimless custom built then? Any idea what I could expect to pay for that?

The LFS recommended the 125 over the 180 to me because the 125 looks sleeker and the 180 looks bulky.

[igadget56]

Get a 180 or you will wish you did.

[soulpatch]

if you get the 125 you will wish you had the 180. (wel depending on the footprint depth vs height)...

If you get the 180 you will wish you had gotten a 220. Never ending circle. HA HA.

I agree to get the largest tank you can but whether you go custom with starphire glass or not is up to you as it is your money. That said 1200 for a complete drilled 125 with delivery and setup is a pretty good deal...

[Rangerbob86]

That's what I keep hearing from everybody else. Maybe he's just trying to get rid of a 125. He also said he thought 125 was better as a first salt water tank for maintenance, etc.

Is there a manufacturer that makes 180 with starphire? Either rimmed or rimless? Or do I pretty much have to get that custom made?

[soulpatch]

some lfs will have them around if they are in an area that will move them but for the most part they are ordered in. At least around me.

what is the 180 dimensions? I have a 125 now for my fresh water and will be converting that to a 180 reef next year. The 180 reef though is much wider and same height as the 125 so i gain some more real estate for rock work and corals.

My 125 is 72x18x22 where as the 180 is 72x24x24. So sure I gain 2 inches in height but those 6 inches in width lend to a lot of real estate for fish. That is 3 square feet of tank gained (not counting height)

[blrrobinson21]

I don't know if marineland makes 180 tank but I would definitely chec. Marineland is running one heck of a deal for the month of february, big discounts.

[ReefsandGeeks]

I'm a little more on the extream end, I got a 40 and wish I got a 210 haha. Planning on getting one, but may be moving for work in the next year, so for now I've limited tank spending to necessary only. No more corals/fish/equpiment unless it's needed for their health. Anyways, +1 on getting the larger tank. The 180's would give you way more options for rock work and coral. I can't even imagine how much more room I'll have when I get a tank 5 times my current size.

[fishgate]

The tank by itself is under $400. So depends what else you get.

[IdahoCindy]

What a funny comment..."the 180 would look too bulky". He is trying to get rid of the 125, I bet.

[Rangerbob86]

I appreciate all the replies everyone. I think I'm going to get a quote from him for a 180 starphire rimless, and a 180 starphire rimmed, and go from there. I don't want to buy the 125 just because its cheaper and regret it later!

[soulpatch]

Good luck

[jrp1588]

Man, new tanks are expensive. I got my 125 for $120 on craigslist. Scored a stand for $50, I just need to drill it and put on an overflow, and I'll maybe be $250 in. haha

[soulpatch]

Man, new tanks are expensive. I got my 125 for $120 on craigslist. Scored a stand for $50, I just need to drill it and put on an overflow, and I'll maybe be $250 in. haha

Yeah but you get that brand new smell and know there has never been any medications put in there or a scratch on the glass. Same thing with new cars. You pay a premium to buy new vs slightly used but know exactly what you are walking into.

My big tanks are all used right now but never again as I want new moving forward.

[Rangerbob86]

Alright, just got back from the LFS again. A custom reef ready rimless 180 gallon (72" x 24" x 25") with Starphire glass on 3 sides will run me $2500. Same deal as before...includes custom built stand and delivery/setup with half off live rock and sand. Does this seem like a fair deal? I think it does, but any input is appreciated!

[PatW]

That is a pretty good deal.

The advantage of the 180 vs the 125 is you have some depth to the tank. That allow you more room for your aquascape. Marineland even has a line of tanks with a 36 inch depth that makes for very nice scrapes. The 6 foot length is good because it gives pretty much the minimum length needed for many of the tangs.

[murdock84]

Do the 180. I have a 20" width and kind of wish mine was 24".

[soulpatch]

I woudl go for the 180. Considering the weight of that tank the delivery and setup is worth a ton

[Rangerbob86]

Awesome, thanks again everyone for the input! I think I'm going to go for it!