Looking to upgrade. Options/opinions.

KassScott · Nov 1, 2022

Hello all. New here. I’ve been running a very small simple little salt water and have been interested in an upgrade for a while but haven’t taken the leap. Well I’m ready…. So started looking and originally was interested in the 32g bio cube the pet store showed me and in researching found BRS 5 min series (insert shaking fist here lol) and then realized (honestly what I already knew) that I prob should do a bit bigger and they truly sold me on the Red Sea 170. Clean lines/plug & play etc. it just looks better than a 40 breeder with all the stuff hanging in. Anywhoooo…. Researching and started looking at market place options and found a used Red Sea 170 for like $500. (If it’s still available.) good deal right? And then I found this… planet aquarium 120 gal/stand and all the extras listed in photos and can get it all plus some extras for $2000. Soooo brand new Red Sea for probably nearly $2000 after taxes, shipping, heater etc. or this one below. . I know hard decision right? But I just want to make sure I’m not jumping into too much tank or a problem. He’s only selling because he upgraded to a 240 gal 8ft tank so o feel like he had taken very good care of it and knows what he’s got etc. thanks in advance. Any input welcome!!

Idech · Nov 1, 2022

Since they’re both the same price I would buy the 120 gallons, and get the extra lighting and others for 600$ (that’s cheap), as long as it's in good condition and wasn’t left without water for a long time. I hate scratches so I would ask about that too.

If you get the smaller one and really love it, you’ll end up buying bigger eventually anyways. So since it’s the same amount of money, why not get more to play with ? Bigger volumes of water are more forgiving of mistakes too, so that’s good for beginners.

Drawback : it’s going to take a lot of money to fill it with corals and more money for everything else. But you can choose to take your time and go slow.

Gtinnel · Nov 1, 2022

So the question is should you get a Red Sea reefer 170 or a planet aquariums 120g? If so I would absolutely go with the 120g assuming it’s in good condition. I would always go with the bigger tank and in this case it’s a huge size difference.