Upgrade to 120 gallons. Is it worth it?

[BHD]

Hello everyone,

Right now I have a 75 gallons already. Its been running for 5 years. Lately I want to upgrade my tank to a 120 (4' x 2' x 2'). I will be using my old Sunpower light. So pretty much nothing else change except the tank. Maybe a new skimmer sometimes in the future. The new tank will be 485 dollars.

So what do you guys think? Is it worth it for 6 extra inches width and 3 inches height?

Thanks,
Bao

[ahud]

I wouldn't lol. Unless the money and time are not really a problem.

[jerpa]

If you are limited to a 4 ft tank I would do it because you will likely never go larger and the extra 6" for aquascaping is worth it IMO. If you have more space I wouldn't go to anything less than a 180 gallon. Put that money towards a larger upgrade.

[Palting]

Yeah, not worth it IMO as well. Go for a 6' tank if you are going to upgrade. I know it means more equipment and expense, but going from your tank to another 4 footer isn't worth spending almost $500.

[SpinyReef]

The 120g dimensions are really good ones, I had one for 3 years. But if you're going to upgrade, think about what tank you really want so you don't find yourself upgrading again in a couple of years (like I did). While it might look expensive now, in the long run, buying the right tank now will be cheaper. I assume if you've running a sunpower you're into sticks, in which case you'll really appreciate the 24" width for aquascaping. And keep in mind you can run the new tank with minimal new equipment and buy what you need/what progressively over the next couple of years.

[celamb89]

I like a more cubical look... I would go for 4x3x2 or something like that... I like sand beaches and having space to acquascape... I now have a 125gal and cant stop thinking on a 4.5' x 3.2' x 2' or something like that

[BHD]

Thanks everyone for the responses.
I just don't have a good spot for a 6 feet tank at my house.
I can put a 180 gallons in a basement but its cold down there. I guess I will pass on this 120 gallons then.

[Chihuahua6]

Try to find a used 120. My local reef club always has them for sale and they're much cheaper than buying new. I have seen them go for $250 for the tank and stand. Asking price is usually between $250-$350 for tank and stand.

[Khemul]

Your aquascaping will really be the judge. Some of the aquascaping styles don't really gain much from 6 inches of depth. Others it makes a world of difference.

[anbosu]

I think for a reef a 120 is far superior to a 75. For fish I don't think it matters all that much other than your water quality should be better. That said, if you're going to go bigger you might as well save up for a 4x4 240 or like someone else suggest a 4x3 180.

[zakstrong]

if it can be had for cheap cheap then i would say do it. otherwise save your money and do something bigger. I went from a 75 to a 210 and love it. a 120 would have left me looking for more in little time. switching tanks is allot of time both setup and watching it grow back to glory. A cold basement isnt really a bad thing in my opinion, and a 210 is same foot print as a 180 just 6 inches taller. I would much rather have to keep a tank warm then cool.

[gveng]

The 120g (4x2x2) is probably the best size for a reef. I would do it in a heartbeat.

[teog]

A 4 foot 120g is the best size for a reef tank imo. I had one for a few years and then broke it down, and now Im setting up another 120g. I think its dimensions are perfect.

I say go for it!

[Raceimage]

No question about it! You can use the same lighting and equipment and the extra depth makes a big difference. I love my 120 - so much more aquascape and swimming room. Well worth the price IMO. You can also sell your current 75 gal so your out of pocket expense would actually be less than the purchase amt.

[allsps40]

I say do it if you are only limited to 4ft, I am as well and also limited on tank depth. I personally like the depth of the 120. I would try to find a 180 with the same foot print just a little taller JMO. Your corals will also have more room to grow and more room to add more. If your 75g is a 5 year old sps tank then the large tank will do wonders. Not only more room to grow but more water volume so keeping ca, alk and mg stable will be easier. Sps suck up ca and alk fast once they start filling up a tank. Keep in mind that as corals grow they displace water volume so as a tank fills in with large growing corals you will have less water volume then when the tank was new.

[mdbannister]

Definitely go up to a 180 if it's an option, but a 120g is a nice upgrade. You are adding another 45 gallons to your system. Btw, this is probably the wrong group of people to ask if you should upgrade. LOL We're enablers.

[swcc]

I really like the dimentions and posibilities of a 120. wider is better.

[SweetTang]

I recently upgraded from a 75 to a 120 and love it. The 6 extra inches really opens up the aquascape and sandbed. I found a 1 year old tank for $300 that is in mint condition. I vote Yes!

[ahud]

Here are some things I notice:
1) There are TONS of for sale ads for saltwater setups. Most of them are large tanks.
2) The majority of tanks don't stay up a long time before people get bored, tired, ect
3) 90% of people tell you to go big, but most of them are the ones that get tired of it.
4) The bigger you go, the more work it is no matter what people say.


If it was me, and I wanted a 120g. I would bookmark as many local forums as possible and check there for sale ads everyday until I found something in my price range. Chances are one will pop up eventually. Then you can switch everything over and know you did not spend a fortune for a measly 6". I have had 12-24" tanks, yes depth is great, but its not worth spending a fortune over.

I do not get how people enjoy the 200+ gallon systems, I guess being a poor college kid from tight parents makes my stomach turn at the thought of dropping so much cash into a fish tank.

Hope my weird suggestion/rant helped lol

[Cstaricansrfer1]

I'm in a similar situation as you are in. I have had a 75 gallon running for over a year now and have been looking at upgrading to a 125, but the 6' version. The wall I have the 75 on right now is about 7' long so it would be perfect for a 6' tank, and I want more fish so 6' vs 4' would give way better options for swimming room. Probably won't be happening to me until I find a deal that is worthwhile as many others have suggested on this thread.

Anyway, good luck! Keep us posted on what you decide!

[Curious George]

I wouldn't make the upgrade unless it was for a 6 foot tank. $500 is a good bit of money to spend on 6" of depth.