Tank Size 180 vs 220?

Parker_KY · 03/19/2015, 08:35 PM

I have a 75 gallon SW tank, fish and coral. I want a larger tank and was wondering what your thoughts were on a 180 vs a 220, pros and cons? Plumbed in corners vs back? I have 2 Aqua Illumination Vega led lights now, and will add a 3rd. Thanks!

ca1ore · 03/19/2015, 09:17 PM

220 is 6 inches taller than a 180. Requires more light to penetrate to the bottom and longer arms, but gives fish more swimming room. Corner overflows are uglier, but easier to access than ones along the back (unless you go with a coast to coast).

A sea K · 03/20/2015, 06:03 AM

Ditto as above.
As much as I liked my 210 it was a pita when working in the tank. I'm 6ft but reaching the bottom was a real chore. As far as extra swimming room for the fish, probably not worth considering, my fish rarely if ever used the upper level of the water column to swim around in. One exception was my S. doliatus, he would regularly venture to the surface to make bubbles, normal behaviour for that fish but I don't think it would matter to him how tall the tank was.
I also had two overflows on the back, it is a little better as far as aesthetics, especially if the tank is viewable from the side. However it made aquascaping a little more difficult not to mention it also made for a pretty good dead spot between the overflows that I could never really work out using 4 Tunze powerheads.
If had to make the purchase over again I would choose the 180 with corner over flows, unless of course you are going custom then I would definately opt for the coast to coast version.

wnehez · 03/20/2015, 06:28 AM

I have a 220 and have the AI Sol. Not sure how much more light the Vega puts out, but I think for a 6 ft long tank, your going to need 4. I thought I could get away with only 3 but you could really tell it needed one more on it. I never had that much of an issue with a dead spot between the overflows, but Im not saying it cant happen. I like having the deeper tank. Yes it does make it a little more difficult to reach the bottom, but it allows for higher scaping. I have one tall mound built against the left overflow and a shorter one on the right overflow to cover them up. Going to be re-doing the scaping soon tho. I will have a lot of free time on my hands coming up. Also am switching from my AI Sol's back to MH + VHO. Like it was said before, its all personal preference. I always went with the "bigger the better" mentality. Might as well. Then you can have more fish

pyithar · 03/20/2015, 07:01 AM

is there no 209 gallon like 84"*24"*24" tanks available in the u.s? if i want something like that, i'll need to custom make it? i'm just curious.

ca1ore · 03/20/2015, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyithar

is there no 209 gallon like 84"*24"*24" tanks available in the u.s? if i want something like that, i'll need to custom make it? i'm just curious.

I think Aqueon used to make one that size; but now the only stock 84" tank is the Marineland 265 (which is what I have). BTW, whether your fish 'use' the extra height in a tank depends very much on what fish you have. I'm a big pseudoanthias fan and they use every inch.

pyithar · 03/20/2015, 08:02 AM

thanks for the answer Simon.

jbvdhp · 03/20/2015, 08:37 AM

My wife made me sell my 6x2x2. I thought that was plenty for me, correct height to work in the tank... Decent length for most fish. I liked it. Then I missed it and bought a 6' 125 gallon. I really miss the extra 6" depth, front to back.
I would go 180, as I don't want a taller tank, and extra work/water with water changes

hart24601 · 03/20/2015, 09:39 AM

I would go with a 180, 220 it's hard for me to reach the bottom.

soulpatch · 03/20/2015, 10:15 AM

180 is on my shopping list for the reasons stated above. I get the footprint depth to do some cool aquascaping but dont have the height so that I have to strap on my scuba gear to clean or make adjustments to the bottom.

My dad has a tall 120 and he literally uses goggles and dives into the tank to get to things at the bottom. Seeing his struggles confirmed that as a no no for me in my home.

thegrun · 03/20/2015, 11:12 AM

I would go 72" x 30"x 24" tall if you plan on keeping corals. The extra 6" front to back gives you a lot more room for the corals to grow out. Of course the 72" x 36" x 24" tall would be even better!

sammy77 · 03/20/2015, 12:34 PM

I have a 220 and I don't have an issue getting to the bottom of the tank. I use a step ladder and a "grabber" to reach the absolute furthest I have to. On a daily basis I have to reach in with my grabbers for my Nori clip that gets knocked off the glass. Also, keep in mind I have Fish only.

jbvdhp · 03/20/2015, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammy77

I have a 220 and I don't have an issue getting to the bottom of the tank. I use a step ladder and a "grabber" to reach the absolute furthest I have to. On a daily basis I have to reach in with my grabbers for my Nori clip that gets knocked off the glass. Also, keep in mind I have Fish only.

I am 6'1" and enjoy not using those things. Shallower tanks make life easier when I can just stick my arm in.

I had a 70 gallon tall at one point and I hated the height. 30". Nightmare getting things at the bottom.

I think 24" is the max I would like to go without needing a ladder and tools.

Wazzel · 03/20/2015, 02:42 PM

I had the 30" tall 120 and a 27" tall 160 (custom sized) and never again will I have a tank taller than 24". More than 24" tall is a chore for me to reach the bottom.

Parker_KY · 03/20/2015, 09:00 PM

Well......I like the idea of a 72" x 30"x 24", I think the 6" extra depth would be nice. However the price goes way up for custom tank & stand.

I have a local dealer that has a 180 Marineland, plumbed in corners, with black stand for 900.00.

03/19/2015, 08:35 PM	#1
Parker_KY Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 21	Tank Size 180 vs 220? I have a 75 gallon SW tank, fish and coral. I want a larger tank and was wondering what your thoughts were on a 180 vs a 220, pros and cons? Plumbed in corners vs back? I have 2 Aqua Illumination Vega led lights now, and will add a 3rd. Thanks!

03/19/2015, 09:17 PM	#2
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	220 is 6 inches taller than a 180. Requires more light to penetrate to the bottom and longer arms, but gives fish more swimming room. Corner overflows are uglier, but easier to access than ones along the back (unless you go with a coast to coast). __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

03/20/2015, 06:03 AM	#3
A sea K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Branford Fl Posts: 3,024	Ditto as above. As much as I liked my 210 it was a pita when working in the tank. I'm 6ft but reaching the bottom was a real chore. As far as extra swimming room for the fish, probably not worth considering, my fish rarely if ever used the upper level of the water column to swim around in. One exception was my S. doliatus, he would regularly venture to the surface to make bubbles, normal behaviour for that fish but I don't think it would matter to him how tall the tank was. I also had two overflows on the back, it is a little better as far as aesthetics, especially if the tank is viewable from the side. However it made aquascaping a little more difficult not to mention it also made for a pretty good dead spot between the overflows that I could never really work out using 4 Tunze powerheads. If had to make the purchase over again I would choose the 180 with corner over flows, unless of course you are going custom then I would definately opt for the coast to coast version. __________________ I am not a pro so excuse me if I'm wrong. Current Tank Info: 30gal Deep Blue rimless 9/10/2014, 80gal Deep Blue rimless 40gal sump/refugium 9/11/16 LPS reef, 2 x Kessil A160 with a single Maxspect Razor, RO Prime 150INT skimmer, Sicce 3 return pump, Vortech MP40 and MP10

03/20/2015, 07:01 AM	#5
pyithar Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: yangon,burma(myanmar) Posts: 1,786	is there no 209 gallon like 84"24"24" tanks available in the u.s? if i want something like that, i'll need to custom make it? i'm just curious. __________________ take it easy, pyithar Current Tank Info: 150G display, 50G sump, mixed reef

03/20/2015, 08:02 AM	#7
pyithar Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: yangon,burma(myanmar) Posts: 1,786	thanks for the answer Simon. __________________ take it easy, pyithar Current Tank Info: 150G display, 50G sump, mixed reef

03/20/2015, 06:28 AM	#4
wnehez Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ringtown, PA Posts: 351	I have a 220 and have the AI Sol. Not sure how much more light the Vega puts out, but I think for a 6 ft long tank, your going to need 4. I thought I could get away with only 3 but you could really tell it needed one more on it. I never had that much of an issue with a dead spot between the overflows, but Im not saying it cant happen. I like having the deeper tank. Yes it does make it a little more difficult to reach the bottom, but it allows for higher scaping. I have one tall mound built against the left overflow and a shorter one on the right overflow to cover them up. Going to be re-doing the scaping soon tho. I will have a lot of free time on my hands coming up. Also am switching from my AI Sol's back to MH + VHO. Like it was said before, its all personal preference. I always went with the "bigger the better" mentality. Might as well. Then you can have more fish

03/20/2015, 08:37 AM	#8
jbvdhp Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,131	Tank Size 180 vs 220? My wife made me sell my 6x2x2. I thought that was plenty for me, correct height to work in the tank... Decent length for most fish. I liked it. Then I missed it and bought a 6' 125 gallon. I really miss the extra 6" depth, front to back. I would go 180, as I don't want a taller tank, and extra work/water with water changes __________________ This hobby = no more money Current Tank Info: 8' 240 gallons of headache

03/20/2015, 09:39 AM	#9
hart24601 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 633	I would go with a 180, 220 it's hard for me to reach the bottom.

03/20/2015, 10:15 AM	#10
soulpatch Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 4,017	180 is on my shopping list for the reasons stated above. I get the footprint depth to do some cool aquascaping but dont have the height so that I have to strap on my scuba gear to clean or make adjustments to the bottom. My dad has a tall 120 and he literally uses goggles and dives into the tank to get to things at the bottom. Seeing his struggles confirmed that as a no no for me in my home. __________________ 150 SC tank build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550948 Some have bar tabs. I have a coral tab at my LFS. Life goals.

03/20/2015, 11:12 AM	#11
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I would go 72" x 30"x 24" tall if you plan on keeping corals. The extra 6" front to back gives you a lot more room for the corals to grow out. Of course the 72" x 36" x 24" tall would be even better!

03/20/2015, 12:34 PM	#12
sammy77 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: IL Posts: 373	I have a 220 and I don't have an issue getting to the bottom of the tank. I use a step ladder and a "grabber" to reach the absolute furthest I have to. On a daily basis I have to reach in with my grabbers for my Nori clip that gets knocked off the glass. Also, keep in mind I have Fish only. __________________ 220gal FOWLR When you're down....look up....get up....and don't ever give up! Current Tank Info: 220gal FOWLR

03/20/2015, 02:42 PM	#14
Wazzel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 4,743	I had the 30" tall 120 and a 27" tall 160 (custom sized) and never again will I have a tank taller than 24". More than 24" tall is a chore for me to reach the bottom. __________________ Mark Beware the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it's a train. Current Tank Info: 120, LED, Bare Bottom, SPS/LPS

03/20/2015, 09:00 PM	#15
Parker_KY Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 21	Well......I like the idea of a 72" x 30"x 24", I think the 6" extra depth would be nice. However the price goes way up for custom tank & stand. I have a local dealer that has a 180 Marineland, plumbed in corners, with black stand for 900.00.