Worth upgrading from 90 to 125?

[TrampledByEwoks]

Anyone have any thoughts on if this jump in size would be worth it? Currently I have a 90 long with primarily nems and softies which serve more as an accent as the fish are the focus of my tank. I’d like to add a fish or two and just can’t decide if the effort for another 35 gallons is worth it.

Current stock list:
- Purple Tang
- Squareback Anthia
- swallowtail angelfish
- 1 perc clown
- engineer goby
- filefish

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

I wouldnt see much benefit from transferring to gain just a few extra inches/gallons, but its whatever you feel you want and works best for you! I would rather spend the money on a larger jump to at least 150 gallon tank.

Maybe you just need the 90 and 125 both

 

[edsbeaker]

Anyone have any thoughts on if this jump in size would be worth it? Currently I have a 90 long with primarily nems and softies which serve more as an accent as the fish are the focus of my tank. I’d like to add a fish or two and just can’t decide if the effort for another 35 gallons is worth it.

Current stock list:
- Purple Tang
- Squareback Anthia
- swallowtail angelfish
- 1 perc clown
- engineer goby
- filefish

If you are interested in tangs, that extra 2’ would be very useful! If it were me, though, I would go up to a deeper tank, maybe 6’ X 2’ X 21”H. I think in a 6’ tank, 18” D would not work as well as 24” would.

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

If you are interested in tangs, that extra 2’ would be very useful! If it were me, though, I would go up to a deeper tank, maybe 6’ X 2’ X 21”H. I think in a 6’ tank, 18” D would not work as well as 24” would.

He talked about it being a 90 long so If its like my tank it would only be gaining 12" in length

But 100% agree deeper is sooo much nicer!

 

[exnisstech]

I wouldn't bother. Front to back depth is as useful as length IMO. I went from a 72x24x24" tank to a 84x30x25" and the extra front to back space is huge. It allowed me to place the scape so the fish can swim in front through and behind the rocks. In the 180 they were basically swimming back and forth in front of the rocks having to pass each other which doesn't help with aggression. I've had a 150 and a 125 and the 18" depth isn't great especially with fish that grow large and need swim room like tangs
Just the purple will get pretty large. Mine that I've over had for 7+ years is probably 7-8"

 

[edsbeaker]

He talked about it being a 90 long so If its like my tank it would only be gaining 12" in length

But 100% agree deeper is sooo much nicer!

Didn’t catch that part! I didn’t even realize that a 90 gallon came in a 5’ length.
In that case, unless OP is going to upgrade the depth from 18” to at least 24”, I don’t think you would be gaining much by only adding 12”

 

[littlefoxx]

Didn’t catch that part! I didn’t even realize that a 90 gallon came in a 5’ length.
In that case, unless OP is going to upgrade the depth from 18” to at least 24”, I don’t think you would be gaining much by only adding 12”

Most 125 gallons are only 18” wide too

 

[edsbeaker]

Most 125 gallons are only 18” wide too

Sorry, I guess I wasn’t clear. I wouldn’t upgrade to a 125. I don’t think it would be worth it.

 

[littlefoxx]

Sorry, I guess I wasn’t clear. I wouldn’t upgrade to a 125. I don’t think it would be worth it.

Nah me neither! I had a 125. And was like oh this tank is so bigggggg. Lol. Yeah now I upgraded to a 300 gallon.

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

Didn’t catch that part! I didn’t even realize that a 90 gallon came in a 5’ length.
In that case, unless OP is going to upgrade the depth from 18” to at least 24”, I don’t think you would be gaining much by only adding 12”

Me either until I found my most recent build for a bangin deal! I love the 5' look on the 90 but it is limited front to back which sucks. I think my dimensions are 60" Long , 18" deep , 19" Tall

 

[edsbeaker]

Me either until I found my most recent build for a bangin deal! I love the 5' look on the 90 but it is limited front to back which sucks. I think my dimensions are 60" Long , 18" deep , 19" Tall

After I had a tank that was 24” deep, I could never go back to 18”!
I have a IM 170 now that is only 5’ long, but it’s 30” front to back. There’s no limit to aquascaping!
I can’t believe that i managed with a 55 Gallon back in the ‘90’s.

 

[TrampledByEwoks]

Thanks for all the replies! I should throw some clarification in here. When I said 90 long I was just saying it’s not a cube. I guess I have the standard 48” 90 gal. The 125 I am specifically looking at is a used Oceanic 125 that is 48x24x24.

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

After I had a tank that was 24” deep, I could never go back to 18”!
I have a IM 170 now that is only 5’ long, but it’s 30” front to back. There’s no limit to aquascaping!
I can’t believe that i managed with a 55 Gallon back in the ‘90’s.

I totally agree! We are still in a rent house or I would have went bigger lol Once we buy a house this tank will just be used for something else and ill get a larger deeper tank as well Sure would be nice to have more room for all my sand dwelling friends

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

Thanks for all the replies! I should throw some clarification in here. When I said 90 long I was just saying it’s not a cube. I guess I have the standard 48” 90 gal. The 125 I am specifically looking at is a used Oceanic 125 that is 48x24x24.

Makes sense haha

I dont feel its still worth it imo. Your only gaining I think 6" in depth and I wanna say 3" in height?

But then again you do what you feel like is the best choice! Some visually like certain dimensions over others, but if your looking for just to add a few more fish I dont see this upgrade doing much. Your 90 still has some room for a couple more small/medium sized fish

 

[edsbeaker]

I totally agree! We are still in a rent house or I would have went bigger lol Once we buy a house this tank will just be used for something else and ill get a larger deeper tank as well Sure would be nice to have more room for all my sand dwelling friends

If it were me, I would probably just wait then. There’s so much work involved in upgrading as it is, I don’t think you’ll find that the difference between the two tank dimensions will get you much. Maybe just wait it out and once settled in a place of your own get your dream tank!!!

 

[dvgyfresh]

Double or nothing imo

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

I totally agree! We are still in a rent house or I would have went bigger lol Once we buy a house this tank will just be used for something else and ill get a larger deeper tank as well Sure would be nice to have more room for all my sand dwelling friends

If it were me, I would probably just wait then. There’s so much work involved in upgrading as it is, I don’t think you’ll find that the difference between the two tank dimensions will get you much. Maybe just wait it out and once settled in a place of your own get your dream tank!!!

Oh theres is no waiting check out my build it's in full force and right over 3 months old.

I wouldn't upgrade really when we did move the tank would go into a spot off to the side or room and a new larger build would go where i want.

 

[edsbeaker]

Oh theres is no waiting check out my build it's in full force and right over 3 months old.

I wouldn't upgrade really when we did move the tank would go into a spot off to the side or room and a new larger build would go where i want.

Whoops!!!! I thought that reply was from the OP! Sorry about that!

 

[Idech]

There’s not much of a difference so I would go bigger.