Upgrade or New 120G tank?

DCG1286 · Apr 21, 2010

Well I am at a point of where I do one of two things with my tank ... Upgrade or go with a custom built 120. :)

My tank is going on nearly 12 years old (previous owner had it for nearly 11) so the tank has quite a bit of mileage on it! It is in great condition and everything, but I am really digging the rimless set-ups I keep seeing!

The biggest set up I would want to upgrade is a 180 ... for now at least ... which is only 60 gallons more than the current set-up, but it'll be a 6ft tank rather then a 4ft. I know the g/f would LOVE to do the 180 ... all the extra room and blah blah blah ... she is addicted to the fish ... beyond addicted. :smile:

Personally I want to go with a glass cages 120 rimless (I KNOW I KNOW ... a lot of people don't like their work etc.etc.). I actually have a 45G Cube in my apt. that was made by them given to me by a friend. It is a great looking tank and well built.

My heart is not in it right now to do a 6ft tank ... all the extra live rock, lighting, pumps ... etc.etc.

Anyways ... I would like to know your thoughts!

Thank you so much!

-David

dakotasreef · Apr 21, 2010

Sometimes bigger is not always better. I know plenty of people who actally have gone with smaller tanks. They changed their focus and gone with a specific species tank. They have focused on making it the best tank they possibly could.

I love larger tanks. I tend to lean towards giving fish the proper room to swim and having as much room as possible for corals. But at the same time as you know, it comes at a much greater cost. Time and money.

But you could always make it a work in progress and slowly work your way up to it. Just collect what you need over a period of time and when you have it all you are ready.

I hope that you can get your heart into it. It is always fun setting up a new tank. I love watching the corals and fish grow.

Good luck

stunreefer · Apr 21, 2010

DCG1286 said:
My heart is not in it right now to do a 6ft tank ... all the extra live rock, lighting, pumps ... etc.etc.

You answered your own question David ;)

DCG1286 · Apr 21, 2010

dakotasreef said:
Sometimes bigger is not always better. I know plenty of people who actally have gone with smaller tanks. They changed their focus and gone with a specific species tank. They have focused on making it the best tank they possibly could.

I love larger tanks. I tend to lean towards giving fish the proper room to swim and having as much room as possible for corals. But at the same time as you know, it comes at a much greater cost. Time and money.

But you could always make it a work in progress and slowly work your way up to it. Just collect what you need over a period of time and when you have it all you are ready.

I hope that you can get your heart into it. It is always fun setting up a new tank. I love watching the corals and fish grow.

Good luck

This is very true. :) It's been 16 years (I am only 23) since I started this hobby ... fortunately I know what it is to take care of a large tank ... and the thought of it ... with the minimal time that I have these days ... is the biggest problem! :)

stunreefer said:
You answered your own question David ;)

I think so as well ... hahaha ... so then, I think the question is which 120G tank to go with ... I like the Oceanic Techs (but haven't seen too many of them around these days ...) Glasscages ... etcetc.

akma · Apr 21, 2010

I have a aquatic obsessions rimless tank and I love it. But I think they went out of business. I would check out miracles if you want custom rimless. Their work is insane. If I did get stock I would get an oceanic tech. Look at rookie's tech post. I love his tank.

DCG1286 · Apr 21, 2010

akma said:
I have a aquatic obsessions rimless tank and I love it. But I think they went out of business. I would check out miracles if you want custom rimless. Their work is insane. If I did get stock I would get an oceanic tech. Look at rookie's tech post. I love his tank.

Hey!

I have seen Phil's (Rookie) tank in person ... it's a beautiful set up, and the real reason I would consider getting an Oceanic Tank. The Aquatic Obsession tanks are also VERY VERY nice ... I will definitely be looking into them.

I hope you are the same guy from MR ... I would love to check out your tank in person if you are ever around. Hopefully I can make a decision soon and get this set up at the beginning of the summer. :)

stunreefer · Apr 21, 2010

You can do a 4 foot long 180 gallon... my tank is 48"L x 36"W x 24.5"H ;)

akma · Apr 21, 2010

Oh yea man. LOL,
You can stop by anytime you want, but i'm in NJ right off the PIP. You can see my tank thread for pics of my tank.

DCG1286 · Apr 21, 2010

stunreefer said:
You can do a 4 foot long 180 gallon... my tank is 48"L x 36"W x 24.5"H ;)

hahaha ... that's a great idea ... I will definitely take that into consideration! How do you have that tank lit up? I would think 4 MH pendants would be required over something like that ... or some GIANT lumenarc reflectors!

akma said:
Oh yea man. LOL,
You can stop by anytime you want, but i'm in NJ right off the PIP. You can see my tank thread for pics of my tank.

Don't worry I am not one of those people that complains about how far someone is ... lol ... I see that stuff all the time and it's like if you really want something you will drive out of your way for it. I have seen people complain about tolls to pick up FREE stuff ... LAME! Plus it's always cool to see other people's set ups.

DCG1286 · Apr 24, 2010

Well the decision has come ...

I have decided to go with a 6ft 180G tank ... I got a ridiculous price from the LFS ... delivered and everything. :) Time to start shopping for new equipment!!! WOOHOO!

Truth be told I have MOST of the equipment I need for the upgrade so not too much else is needed ... aside for some extra lights and a larger skimmer (not under estimating the cost of this ... just saying I don't need to replace EVERYTHING :) )

inactive · Apr 24, 2010

Right on!

ecfencing · Apr 24, 2010

so what did you wind up going with? An AGA 180?

DCG1286 · Apr 24, 2010

Kraylen said:
Right on!

You know it!

ecfencing said:
so what did you wind up going with? An AGA 180?

AGA 180 ... 6x2x2' ... They deliver it get it in and all set up (with my direction of course) ... and that's that. :tongue:

Still debating on which skimmer to go with ... I do love the look and the action of the cone skimmers ... they have a hefty price tag ... but I guess in the grand schemes on the upgrade it's not soooo bad. :wink:

DCG1286 · Apr 25, 2010

I think I am going to go with 2 36" ATI T-5 fixtures over this tank. Any objections? Advice on how many bulbs to go with (6-8-10)? Bulb combos etc.etc. :)

I figured I would just ask questions here rather then make another thread and cloud up the boards. :)