65 gallon vs. 75 gallon recommended for reef upgrade?

rfarson · Mar 14, 2012

I'm considering what tank to get for and upgrade from a 55g FOWLR to a reef tank with overflow and sump.

It seems like a 65g would be less difficult to maintain and light, but I can see advantages to a 75g also (shallower depth more room).

Is the 75 more difficult to maintain and light?

Does anyone have experience with these sizes and a recommendation?

Here are the dimensions:

65: 36"L x 18"W x 24"D
75: 48"L x 18"W x 21"D

Thanks,
Ron

REEFKEEPER10 · Mar 14, 2012

The 75 is easier to take care of because of water volume and I have to 4 bulb t5 fixtures over my tank. My corals grow good. I don't have high dollar lighting but it works for me. I wish it was wider but oh well. Here is a picture of my work in progress.

chort55 · Mar 14, 2012

Bigger is always better.... as long as you can afford it anyways.

I started with a 20g, shortly after moved into a 75g, then a 180, then a 180 + a 30g, now I am looking at setting up another 75... then a few more, until we move in a few yrs then the plan is to be around 500g with main display, 180g aggressive display in the basement.... and a few other smaller grow out/ whatever tanks lol

Trust me, if you can do the 75g (or even a 90-120 if you have to stick with a 4'max length) then go with that, you will be alot happier.... until the bug strikes again lol

sophia2change · Mar 14, 2012

You may have a try

zle · Mar 14, 2012

you will need buy a lot of frags (espeically sps) to fill your 75g thought.

be careful when buying the light fixture when you not sure what tank you want. Because the 75/90g have different foot print compare to 40/57/65g tanks.

kennywiz · Mar 14, 2012

75 is better because of the 48" footprint. Hard to fit everything under a 36" footprint.
Trust me.

Saulsa · Mar 14, 2012

I like the 36" footprint of a 65. That is just my opinion. It appears to have more depth just because of the proportions.

To be honest your costs of equipment for light/filtration will be relatively the same. 10g is really sort of splitting hairs in this hobby. Unless you're trying to squeak by with minimal requirements.

I would look at the space it's going into and think what would compliment it best. Less can always be more.

Then try and decide how long will this last you? Like others have said this hobby just makes you want to go bigger. Instead of 65 or 75, why not think 65 or 90 gallon? Same footprint with more height.

Secondly, 10 gallons less isn't going to change your livestock desires

brahm · Mar 14, 2012

I'd go the other way. I'm very happy with my 36x24x18 tank. However I would have gone 36x24x20 if I were to do it over, but if/when I upgrade I will proboly go 48x30x20

Saulsa · Mar 14, 2012

Lol nothing like an ambiguously answered thread to help with the insanity of decided on a tank size.

Zoacoral · Mar 14, 2012

I was limited to a 4ft tank, I liked the 3ftrs, but i opted for a a 4ft tank, I didnt like the height on the standard 120 gallon (24 inches) so I ordered a 48 x 24 x 21 tall tank from DSA.. Impressed with there tank..

zle · Mar 14, 2012

I think it's just a personal reference and also depend on whether you have space in your house or not.

I upgraded from a 55g to a 75g last year but never like the 75g because of the lack of the space in my room but plenty of room in the tank for sps. I downgraded from a 75g to a 57g where the foot print is 36x18x20. So far I am okay with this 3 feet long tank.