75 or 125 gallon

pelphrey · Oct 28, 2015

Sure this has been discussed numerous times. I currently have a 75 gallon freshwater setup, but the space can fit a 6' 125 gallon. 180 won't work, it's too deep! If I went with the 75 rimless that's an easy swap since I built my stand. I'm going for looks mainly as this is in our main living area. The deep blue rimless 75 and the 125 non reef ready are the same price at my LFS.

Top reasons why I like the rimless 75 -
Can use my existing stand
Equipment will be cheaper (need less)
Looks (I like the rimless look)

Top reasons I like the rimmed 125 -
6' will fit in the space well
More fish options

Which would you prefer?

melypr1985 · Oct 28, 2015

I voted for the 75 just because I can't stand non reef ready tanks any more. Been there, done that and it was a pain. If the 125 was drilled, then I'd have voted for that for the better fish options.

Pfisherman · Oct 28, 2015

If i had the choice i would go with the 125, if money weren't my limiting factor.
Lighting is the only thing that will cost substantially more, but then you need to add in the overflow box and and return plumbing.

what kind of budget arr you on? Lets do a virtual build!

Pfisherman · Oct 28, 2015

melypr1985 said:
I voted for the 75 just because I can't stand non reef ready tanks any more. Been there, done that and it was a pain. If the 125 was drilled, then I'd have voted for that for the better fish options.

You keep beating me to alll the good posts. I need to type faster.

melypr1985 · Oct 28, 2015

Pfisherman said:
You keep beating me to alll the good posts. I need to type faster.

Sorry bout that.... I get alerts when a new thread is posted.

Pfisherman · Oct 28, 2015

Lol, I thought i was an addict.

pelphrey · Oct 28, 2015

Well the costs haven't been decided yet. I just started cycling my 27 gallon cube... BUT I've been down this road with other hobbies and I have an idea it won't be cheap! I've got well over $1500 in my cube, but that does include my spectrapure 90gpd RODI (I did somewhat plan an upgrade out)!

With that being said the freshwater tank will offset some of the costs.

75 gallon $125-150ish could get more if I sold the stand with it. I'd say $225-$250 with stand
Fluval 306 canister $75ish
Fluval fx6 should get $200+
25 mbuna cichlids $75-$100
48" current USA led $50-$75

I have a Kessil a160w and spectral controller on the cube and a Kessil 150 on a 10 gallon. So I'm pretty sold on Kessil. If I go a 75 I'll do 2 360's. 125 will be a dual center brace with 3 360's. If I go the 125 route I'm pretty sold on the synergy overflows with a 40 breeder sump.

chaoha · Oct 29, 2015

How about the 125 that's 48x24x24? The advantages would be you get the same volume as the 6 ft tank but you can light it with 2 Kessils vs 3 on the 6ft tank

pelphrey · Oct 29, 2015

@chaoha Like the 180 the depth is the concern! Especially if I have to drill the back of the tank which in turn will push it out from the wall even further. I like the 120 gallon tanks, unfortunately the 18 -18.5 depth is the route I'll have to take and as mentioned if I have to install my own overflow I'll have to pull the tank out from the wall and walkway a few more inches!

ReeferBob · Oct 29, 2015

You are better off with the NON reef ready tank. RR tanks are designed for Durso drain systems. Durso should be your last option. Bean first and drill for a coast to coast. Then there is no huge overflow sections in the tank either. A non-reef ready tank can and should be drilled for a Bean overflow. I have a RR 125g that I would gladly swap even up for a non RR 125g!

Dr. Phil · Oct 29, 2015

If you can drill the 125, I would go with that. In my opinion it is always better to have a dump for your filtration and equipment.

On the other hand the length of the 125 will allow you a much wider selection of fish.

pelphrey · Oct 29, 2015

@diaz2010 the deep blue rank is a reef ready tank! It would also be sumped!

@ReeferBob the RR tank could be setup using a herbie drain. I am running the herbie on my cube and it is dead silent with zero micro bubbles in the sump!

Dr. Phil · Oct 29, 2015

If you can get the 125 drilled for an overflow, that is what I would do. You will be happier with the larger volume (at least I would).

ReeferBob · Oct 30, 2015

@ReeferBob the RR tank could be setup using a herbie drain. I am running the herbie on my cube and it is dead silent with zero micro bubbles in the sump![/QUOTE]

This is exactly what I have planned for the rebuild. Use the smaller of the 2 holes in each overflow for the full siphon drain and the other one for the open channel drain. I would do over the back for the return. Using a larger drain for the open channel will allow it to also act as the emergency drain should the primary get clogged.

chimmike · Oct 30, 2015

Go as big as you can. I like a deeper tank than a taller one myself. Easier to work with.

I don't like reef-ready tanks because most of them have drain setups that are noisy. Making your own overflow is easy and gives you WAY more flexibility. Beananimal drain setup is the most quiet and will flow plenty. Do the drain setup right the first time, because once everything is up and running you won't want to/be able to redo it.

pelphrey · Oct 30, 2015

chimmike said:
Go as big as you can. I like a deeper tank than a taller one myself. Easier to work with.

I don't like reef-ready tanks because most of them have drain setups that are noisy. Making your own overflow is easy and gives you WAY more flexibility. Beananimal drain setup is the most quiet and will flow plenty. Do the drain setup right the first time, because once everything is up and running you won't want to/be able to redo it.

I agree with you @chimmike ! For my application the 18-18.5 depth will be my only options. When you factor in a few more inches if the back of the tank is drilled I'm pressing my luck, but I can get away with it. The 24''+ depth on other tanks won't work for me.

I'm still not sold on either one. I know I like the looks of the rimless tanks better, but I also like the options the 6' tank offers. I've read multiple reviews on rimless tanks and to me it seems as if the most common complaint is splashing water over the top and edge when cleaning the tank.

ReeferBob · Oct 30, 2015

pelphrey said:
I agree with you @chimmike ! For my application the 18-18.5 depth will be my only options. When you factor in a few more inches if the back of the tank is drilled I'm pressing my luck, but I can get away with it. The 24''+ depth on other tanks won't work for me.

I'm still not sold on either one. I know I like the looks of the rimless tanks better, but I also like the options the 6' tank offers. I've read multiple reviews on rimless tanks and to me it seems as if the most common complaint is splashing water over the top and edge when cleaning the tank.

Put it through a wall like both of my tanks, All you see is the tank so rimless or not doesn't matter.

787will · Oct 30, 2015

melypr1985 said:
I voted for the 75 just because I can't stand non reef ready tanks any more. Been there, done that and it was a pain. If the 125 was drilled, then I'd have voted for that for the better fish options.

I would have to say the complete opposite, reef ready systems have sooo much wasted space with there overflows plus as it was mentioned earlier they are designed for durso overflows which by standards, suck! If i had to choose between a reef ready and non, i would definitely choose non just so they have the flexibility to choose my own overflow.

I voted 125g, i was told when buying a tank go as big as you go, because if you dont in the future you'll want to upgrade and regret your previous decision