Upgrading: What tank size?

[ReeferReefer]

What is your ideal reef tank size?

So I have been all over the place the last few weeks planning my upgrade. I currently have a 90 gallon AIO system that I would like to upgrade. I am looking to get more room for fish as well as easier maintenance with a sump setup. I know we always say this, but I would like this to be my forever tank.

I am looking for a tank that gives me plenty of room to grow but is not insane for a single person to maintain. I do not have a dedicated water mixing station (currently using brute trash cans). It will likely be a softie dominated tank with a focus on fish.

I have been considering a 120 fatboy (48x24x24) as it would fit into roughly the same area as my 90 gallon (not the biggest factor) and would let me reuse my current lighting (t5 6 bulb). I have a current offer for $1800 on a Leemar rimless setup in these dimensions. Comes with rock, skimmer, sump, 3 AI Sols (not sure if these are worth much anymore) and some other equipment.

When searching online I found a good deal on a 120"tall" (60L x 18D x 24H) for $400 (Stand, ruby 36 sump and rock included). I worry that the lack of depth may make aquascaping difficult but the increased length might let me keep some tangs I would otherwise not be able to. I could just throw a ReefBreeders Photon v2 over it for lighting and pick up a skimmer. Build would probably be around 1k.

I was looking to stay near my current size but I am not sure if going bigger is going to help or make things harder with waterchanges. How big would you guys go without a dedicated water mixing station/system? Would a 225 gallon (72W x 24D x 30H) be that much more work to take care of? It comes with a ruby 36 sump, skimmer and return pump for $1500. Just need to get some lights and rock. Just guessing that the build would cost around $2300 with blackbox leds and some second hand rock.

I can set up either of these three systems for around or under 2k. I can sell off my previous equipment to make around $500.

I am likely to be moving this system in the next year or two if that makes a difference.

What would you choose? I am at a bit of a loss with these options. I don't need to pull the trigger on any of the current options, these are just what I have found second hand in my local area. My build doesn't need to be completed for the next 9 months but can set up the system early. Any advice on what kind of system I should aim for would be great appreciated.

 

[Super Fly]

I am likely to be moving this system in the next year or two if that makes a difference.

I would wait to upgrade until after moving to new house/apt especially if you'll be moving in 1-2 yrs, would hate to set up/move a large system twice.
As far as tank size, tall tanks would be hassle when trying to do work inside tank, i.e. need step ladder. Otherwise I'd go as big as your $ and space allows... and that 120 tall for $400 sounds like a great deal!!

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

Agreed on just about everything above. Wait for the move and then get the largest tank that fits your budget. Tall tanks are a pain, at least in my experience. I will say that I love my Red Sea 525xl and don't see myself going bigger until I build a house and have it in wall.

 

[MSB123]

AI sols are great! What I run on my 180.

 

[speedstar]

What is your ideal reef tank size?

So I have been all over the place the last few weeks planning my upgrade. I currently have a 90 gallon AIO system that I would like to upgrade. I am looking to get more room for fish as well as easier maintenance with a sump setup. I know we always say this, but I would like this to be my forever tank.

I am looking for a tank that gives me plenty of room to grow but is not insane for a single person to maintain. I do not have a dedicated water mixing station (currently using brute trash cans). It will likely be a softie dominated tank with a focus on fish.

I have been considering a 120 fatboy (48x24x24) as it would fit into roughly the same area as my 90 gallon (not the biggest factor) and would let me reuse my current lighting (t5 6 bulb). I have a current offer for $1800 on a Leemar rimless setup in these dimensions. Comes with rock, skimmer, sump, 3 AI Sols (not sure if these are worth much anymore) and some other equipment.

When searching online I found a good deal on a 120"tall" (60L x 18D x 18H) for $400 (Stand, ruby 36 sump and rock included). I worry that the lack of depth may make aquascaping difficult but the increased length might let me keep some tangs I would otherwise not be able to. I could just throw a ReefBreeders Photon v2 over it for lighting and pick up a skimmer. Build would probably be around 1k.

I was looking to stay near my current size but I am not sure if going bigger is going to help or make things harder with waterchanges. How big would you guys go without a dedicated water mixing station/system? Would a 225 gallon (72W x 24D x 30H) be that much more work to take care of? It comes with a ruby 36 sump, skimmer and return pump for $1500. Just need to get some lights and rock. Just guessing that the build would cost around $2300 with blackbox leds and some second hand rock.

I can set up either of these three systems for around or under 2k. I can sell off my previous equipment to make around $500.

I am likely to be moving this system in the next year or two if that makes a difference.

What would you choose? I am at a bit of a loss with these options. I don't need to pull the trigger on any of the current options, these are just what I have found second hand in my local area. My build doesn't need to be completed for the next 9 months but can set up the system early. Any advice on what kind of system I should aim for would be great appreciated.

I think your dimensions are off for the 120 tall. That comes out to only like 85g. personally I do not like tall it is all about depth,.

 

[ReeferReefer]

I think your dimensions are off for the 120 tall. That comes out to only like 85g. personally I do not like tall it is all about depth,.

I

Sorry. It is 24 inches tall, not 18.

 

[speedstar]

I

Sorry. It is 24 inches tall, not 18.

I did own a tank those same dimension, The aquascape was difficult unless going with the rock wall look (same as you already noted). I had some larger tangs in there, and also in the 240g cube 4'X4' they never seemed stressed 10inch Naso pair in there and were very healthy.

 

[theMeat]

180 gal
Nice and big and not too deep

 

[nereefpat]

Of the two tank you mentioned, i would take the 60"x 18" x 24". The extra foot will help with your open water swimmers. Aquascaping will be fine as long as the overflow doesn't stick out more than a few inches.

You can also reuse your T5 lighting here. A 4' T5 fixture with 6 bulbs will light a 5' tank no problem.

I would not want to service a 30" tall tank.

A standard 120 is a great tank for a reef though, and so is a standard 180.

 

[ReeferReefer]

I did own a tank those same dimension, The aquascape was difficult unless going with the rock wall look (same as you already noted). I had some larger tangs in there, and also in the 240g cube 4'X4' they never seemed stressed 10inch Naso pair in there and were very healthy.

I am hoping for a more open aquascape so I do worry about the space. I was thinking I would just do a 3 pillar design. The tank has dual corner overflows so they are not in the way at all. I am leaning towards the 5 foot tank because its the cheapest and would allow me to house some larger tangs.

 

[Pbh-reef]

I am hoping for a more open aquascape so I do worry about the space. I was thinking I would just do a 3 pillar design. The tank has dual corner overflows so they are not in the way at all. I am leaning towards the 5 foot tank because its the cheapest and would allow me to house some larger tangs.

It sounds like you’d prefer the 120 fat rather than tall. I’d figure how much money you’re saving and then really think about if it is worth the savings to get a tank you don’t want that much. If you buy clothes on sale but never wear them or don’t really like them, were they worth the money you spent even if it’s less than the original price? I think with a tank getting one you don’t exactly want on sale makes sense if you’ll be happy with the compromise or if the compromise is the only way for you to get close to what you want.

 

[i_declare_bankruptcy]

You can do cool stuff with a taller, narrow tank. But you'd have to be OK with the wall-of-rock look and find a clever way to stack the rocks in a cliff-like way and secure them together. Done right I think it looks amazing. I think tall tanks are awesome as long as you are willing to get your armpits wet and really strain to get to the bottom of the tank (not an issue in a 24" tank if you're on the taller side). I'm 6'2", had a 24" tall tank when I was younger and had no issues.

That said, for what most people like now (minimalist aquascape and TANGS) I'd suggest the deeper tank (one that's bigger than 48x24x24 though). That will allow you a ton of freedom with aquascaping and give you a bit more room for bigger fish. That narrow tank would be stressful for most tangs other than the small varieties IMO.

I have a 525XL which is in the similar area of dimensions as you. I wish the tank was taller, longer, deeper lol. But I really do wish it was taller; I like the drama you can create with a taller aquascape.

Make sure you choose the rocks according to the aquascape you'd like. I bought a ton of reef savers rock in a hurry which made it hard to get creative. I ended up just piling up the rocks and planning on good coral placement to make my scape look good lol

 

[ReeferReefer]

It sounds like you’d prefer the 120 fat rather than tall. I’d figure how much money you’re saving and then really think about if it is worth the savings to get a tank you don’t want that much. If you buy clothes on sale but never wear them or don’t really like them, were they worth the money you spent even if it’s less than the original price? I think with a tank getting one you don’t exactly want on sale makes sense if you’ll be happy with the compromise or if the compromise is the only way for you to get close to what you want.

Thanks, this is why I wanted to get some advice on the topic. I think I am going to go with the standard 120. Doing a bit of math I can actually sell off the redundant equipment that comes with the 120 fatboy and it will only cost a few hundred different after I have sold off as much equipment possible.

I have always liked the look of rimless tanks as well but never could afford one so this could be a nice change.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Can anyone tell me what you think about this sale?

Here is the 120 I am considering.

https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/for/d/custom-100g-leemar-coral-reef/6775022952.html

 

[JRAD]

Wow-that looks great! That is a ton of nice equipment for the money!

 

[ReeferReefer]

Wow-that looks great! That is a ton of nice equipment for the money!

It's still a bit much for me to bear as far as cost goes. Maybe I can sell off some other stuff that I have to help fund it.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Can anyone tell me what you think about this sale?

Here is the 120 I am considering.

https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/for/d/custom-100g-leemar-coral-reef/6775022952.html

That’s a nice set-up!!

 

[Geebs19]

That is a nice setup!

 

[Mical]

I'm looking at similar for my next set up, this is what I'm looking at - their 120gal

http://www.deepblueprofessional.com/reef-ready.html
http://www.deepblueprofessional.com/series-i.html

The stand has a side door, easier to get sump in & out. Total package about $1200

 

[ReeferReefer]

I might just pump the breaks for a week or two. I have a tendency to jump into things. It is clear with my market research that my area regularly has large reef tanks up for sale on the second hand market. I am in 3 active conversations with 3 different sellers of 120 gallon reef ready tanks in my area. I am going to take the next few months to keep saving up and expand my budget.

My gut is pushing me towards the standard 120 so that is what I will be actively searching for.

Any comments on tank size or dimensions are still appreciated as no concrete decisions have been made yet.