So...I'll start by saying this: When I set up my build a year ago with a used Marineland 75 gallon reef ready tank, I should have just started with the new tank I wanted, not the old tank I had. If I could get a do-over, I would start with a 120 gallon aquarium which would have used more or less the same gear that I used on the 75 gallon (and now my 90): 20 gallon home built sump, Iwaki MD-20XRT external pump, Tunze ATO, 2 x Tunze powerheads, Vertex 130 Skimmer, BRS Reactor, 3 x Kessil A360s [ended up using only two because of the crossbrace], 2016 Apex Controller, ALD module, PAR module. Also, since I had the stand custom built for the 75 gal 48" x 18" footptint, I'm stuck with that in the future. Aside from the greater water volume, I would have liked the 48" x 24" footprint for the 120 vs my 90 gallon when it came to aquascaping. The cost difference wouldn't have been much; with over $3,000 in, I thinnk I may have saved $300 (and added a lot of a** pain) in the end by starting with a used tank, then upgrading to a new one. If you follow this thread I'll tell and show you how much harder it was to upgrade versus when compared to a completely new build. It was a tough three day process staying up until 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning.
That said, after months of planning, I decided to give up my unknown aged Marineland 75 gallon reef ready for a new Planet Aquariums 90 gallon. Why? The biggest reason was the 75 was a hand-me-down from a good friend and reefing buddy. I had no idea how old it actually was, how it'd been kept, and (after reading more than a few horror stories on tank leaks) I started to get concerned that a silicon seam might leak or just blow out. I travel frequently and if/when a leak did happen, Mr. Murphy would ensure it was while I was away. My wife, who kindly induldges my reef addiction, would be the one dealing with 85+ gallons of water in our study. The old tank also had plenty of scratches, and the upper trim was aged and cracking (probably from Metal Halide light exposure). Finally, the trimmed design required a brace front to back on the 48" length which gave me no place to put my third A360.
Here are the first few photos of the Marineland 75.
I completed the upgrade/build a month ago.
That said, after months of planning, I decided to give up my unknown aged Marineland 75 gallon reef ready for a new Planet Aquariums 90 gallon. Why? The biggest reason was the 75 was a hand-me-down from a good friend and reefing buddy. I had no idea how old it actually was, how it'd been kept, and (after reading more than a few horror stories on tank leaks) I started to get concerned that a silicon seam might leak or just blow out. I travel frequently and if/when a leak did happen, Mr. Murphy would ensure it was while I was away. My wife, who kindly induldges my reef addiction, would be the one dealing with 85+ gallons of water in our study. The old tank also had plenty of scratches, and the upper trim was aged and cracking (probably from Metal Halide light exposure). Finally, the trimmed design required a brace front to back on the 48" length which gave me no place to put my third A360.
Here are the first few photos of the Marineland 75.
I completed the upgrade/build a month ago.
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