Whats the sweet-spot with tank size vs cost of maintenance?

[NeveSSL]

Hi all,

I am gearing up a tiny bit to get back into the hobby after we buy a house in a few months. I'm wanting a tank, but I do not want to spend $500 on my electricity bill every month just to have a 240 with 400w halides over it. Not that you have to do that any more, but you know what I'm saying.

What is the sweet spot to you guys?

I definitely think LEDs have made a huge, huge improvement in power consumption in larger tanks (IE, no chillers!) which makes larger tanks not as bad on electricity by far. I'm thinking around a 120g might be about right for me. Not too many LEDs, a single return pump, pair of Vortechs, done.

What about you all?

Brandon

 

[mrsaltwatertank]

I was going to say 90g but if you have the space a 120 is a nice middle ground between big tank and small tank.

 

[gmoney243]

yea a 120 is perfect id say its not to big but big enough to have some decent sized corals and fish

 

[harley]

yeah i'm thinking a 90-110 is great! a 48 Cree DIY system from rapidled $500 boostled typhoon controller $54, decent skimmer, $200, a couple koralia evo 1400's (on sale now at drs foster and smith for $34) with a wave maker!

 

[rcmike]

My 110 isn't that bad to take care of. I would say the 90-120 range sounds about right.

 

[NeveSSL]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I think 120 is probably about right, too, but I'm still jonesing for a 180. We'll see when the time comes. I've got to figure out which LED fixtures to use or build, which skimmer to get, etc. I've got plenty of time, though, as we probably won't be buying until October, anyway.

Brandon

 

[Dowtish]

6x3x2!!! Just about any fish you want,(with no guilt) and plenty of space to scape and have sandbed space as well. And I'm sure Rick will let you know what you need for LED's...maybe this is my sweet spot....but yeah, this sounds perfect.:bigsmile:

 

[NeveSSL]

3ft wide gets out of the scope of most lighting units I'm afraid.

Brandon

 

[orthokardia]

I love 5' tanks. My 185 is 60x30x25. I 2x400w MH drawing 750w total. Glad to hear you are getting back in LMK when all is ready and I can frag your children back to you!

 

[Bishop]

This really adds a perspective to things. You guys talk about 120 gallon tanks and I'm sitting here looking at my 12 gallon cube.

 

[NeveSSL]

Thanks, Bart. I appreciate the offer.

Also, I like the dimensions of your 185. I'm pretty much planning on buying my LEDs this time around, though, so I'm a little concerned about coverage at 30", but its not like I will have SPS on every square inch of the tank. We'll see. I'm just beginning to plan and probably won't even be starting for over a year. I'm hoping to have a 180g that I can run for $50 or less a month in electricity. With LEDs, that's now very, very feasible it seems, which is nice! I know some people have had $300 and $400 electric bills due to their tanks... I just can't justify that!

Brandon

 

[andywe]

Brandon, you know you want a 180... Just do it. lol.

 

[NeveSSL]

lol Yeah, I do, Andy.

I'm planning for a 180, but there are many variables to come, not the least of which is what the house we get is like. Its fun to plan, though.

Brandon

 

[rcmike]

Brandon, you know you want an FPV plane.... Just do it. lol.

Well said.

 

[NeveSSL]

LOL Nice touch, Mike.

We need to gang up on Rick and get those Assassin Wings ordered.

Brandon