Help pick my new office 75-100g tank setup?

[scubasteve20]

Moving our office by the end of November. We have approximately 50 gallon bow front/ corner tank that's been running for a little over 15 years, I did basic maintenance for a little while but then had a professional come in due to business hours and my schedule that's been performing the regular maintenance for the last couple years. It's running well but it's time to replace it, the stand isn't going to last a whole lot longer and I'd like something bigger, hopefully big enough for some sort of tang. Mixed reef with the option to get into some easier & hardy SPS.

I have time to keep the old tank running long enough for lead times on whatever I decide. Looking at probably 75 to 100 gallons, definitely not much more than that. The only thing I care to keep from the old setup is a dual Red Sea doser. The light is an old Maxspect which I'm sure is ready for the retirement home. Sump and skimmer are decent but old. Livestock isn't too much currently but will be coming along for the ride and be a great head start.

So far, don't really have a budget, but the thought of an Innovative Marine 75 or 100 (not sure int or ext) looks good at the current discount and hoping about $1k on lights will get what I need. I'm aware of how the other incidentals add up & ready for that. Here are my 2 location options, each 6' but would like to stay at 4' or less. I have to have a way for it to be in public without to much worry, if that makes any sense.

Open to all suggestions. Let's hear it & thanks in advance!

Steve

 

[Fish Fan]

I think most here at Reef2Reef are quite happy with their Innovative Marine systems.

If you're looking for something custom, Glass Cages is the go to for work like that.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[vlangel]

I like the wall of the 1st pic best for the location because I dont think you want that window behind the tank in the 2nd pic.

I have a 75g and I like it a lot. The 48" x 18" footprint was nice to aquascape. I have 16 fish although many are smaller species like chalk bass, mask goby, yellow tail damsels. Anyway its big enough for the smaller tangs or a one spot foxface but small enough for some of the smaller species not to get lost. It holds a nice assortment of coral too.

 

[rayadog]

100

75 is super good enough but if you can swing 100, I can’t imagine you’d regret it; especially if want a small tang. It’s just a matter of footprint.

Before that above comment rolled in I was gonna vote for the door spot, purely for the walk around space; but that’s a good point about the window behind…. It could go either way, if there wouldn’t be any pipes/wires AND you did want to see the tank from the back (which can be cool to have both long viewing sides). But if you didn’t want to see it through the window or block being able to see through the window generally (or bright light bleeding into that room)….

It looks like the doorway on the left, in the first pic, is wider so the tank sticking out a little probably won’t be annoying. That was my initial thought til I looked more. And 4 outlets!

 

[scubasteve20]

So, yeah, the front to back depth in the non-window spot isn't as much as id like. On the other hand I don't care much about how the back looks from the other side of the window. The space is mirrored on each end of the building so I have those identical spots and two different places.

The main purpose is for show and entertainment to the main space. We do real estate closings and often have kids and general clients who really enjoy having a tank in there. I had thoughts of just getting rid of it but the powers that be tugged on my strings and I decided to go kind of all in.

Glad to hear Innovative Marine as a good following here. A lot has changed since I've had to purchase anything serious reef related. I'm still open to other options, but so far I think the im100 is currently still at the top of my list. My reading up on it has been mostly good so far. And as far as I can tell right now the 100 is a good bit cheaper than the 75 if I'm willing to wait. $2200ish for that seems like a solid deal.

 

[scubasteve20]

Lights... Let's talk lights! And anything else I might need to consider if I go with the current leader in the im100.

 

[scubasteve20]

I think I'll do some cardboard arts and crafts and mock something up and redo the photos in each spot. I think that's the only way I can really make a decision as far as placement. Initially I thought I would just get a full glass aquarium with a stand and Hood like it used to be but like I said, it's been awhile. Things have changed. The Innovative Marine stuff I'm looking at all has the back glass blocked so visibility from the rear is moot.

I've been a sufferer of ocd, adhd, instant gratification and analysis paralysis all at the same time. Ask me about my DCS flight sim