Help me decide which tank to get

Damarcman · 12/12/2009, 10:36 PM

I've had a 29 gal for about 4 years now and it's time for an upgrade. I have a hippo tang since the beginning and he's 3-4 inches now and I need to get him a bigger home. My ideal new tank would be 40"x24"x21", but quotes I've received from reputable tank builders want about $1400 or more shipped. So I've been searching every mass produced tank out there. And I think I've narrowed it down to two.

Marineland/Perfecto 93gal 30x30x24 cube Non-Reef Ready ~ $400 quoted.
or
Marineland/Perfecto 75gal 48x18x21 Non-Reef Ready ~ $150-200

I would go bigger than those, but I'm in a condo/apt style 3rd floor and everyday dream of my own House (so i hope to move within a year or so), and can't have a huge tank here. Only supposed to have 10gal max

per H-O-A.
My Main wants in a new tank is more room for more fish. Larger space for big blue to swim, I would like some schooling fish.
Fish list wants...
3-4 anthias,
5 blue-green chromis,
7-10 Longspine Cardinalfish
... and maybe a few more Small fish to go with my current
1 blue hippo
2 Pink Skunk Clowns
1 yellow clown goby
1 Diamond watchman goby
1 Red head goby
1 Bicolor bleenie

I want new rock work that doesn't look just like a pile of rocks or a wall of rocks, I want it to be fluid and have overs and unders for fish to swim through.

On both of them I want an open top with hanging lights, probably t-5s. I'll custom drill overflows with boxes on back top. I plan on probably 1 mp40 vortech, Reef Keeper controller, and DIY stand and reuse some current equipment.

Here are some pics of current tank...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/3634450...7622864735689/

What the heck is the name for these things? mushrooms, rics?
they are like a disease on this big rock, there are tons of them.

david pinder · 12/12/2009, 10:40 PM

The biggest you can afford. other wise in a few years you will be doing it again. I know I know and I know again

wrott · 12/12/2009, 10:52 PM

I'd get 8' x 2' x 2' 240g.

Damarcman · 12/12/2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrott

I'd get 8' x 2' x 2' 240g.

First Dumb Reply Award goes too....

wrott

Damarcman · 12/13/2009, 11:49 AM

any opinions from the day time crew?

Tang Salad · 12/13/2009, 11:55 AM

Get the 93. It's a cube and it's larger.

davocean · 12/13/2009, 12:51 PM

I'm all about depth front to back for scape.
18" F-B is a headache to scape IMO, so cube would be my choice.
30x30x24 is a nice foot

Frick-n-Frags · 12/13/2009, 12:57 PM

How deep do you want to be horsing around to get to the bottom? i even got sick of my 2' corner cube. reaching into 24" is a drag.

i would say find a huge cube 20" deep or one of those 120's layed out like a deep(front-to-back) 75. then it will be fun to play in too

Indymann99 · 12/13/2009, 01:11 PM

I really like Cube dimensions if they fit the room, my dream would be a walkaround cube tank but has to fit the room.

However if you are going to be moving within the year I would:

1. Spend the year saving money and getting into a house.... NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW to buy a house especially if you are currently renting.

2. Search craigslist for local deals on standard sized tanks. I have seen 120g (48x24x24) going for $150 in great shape and many times with lots of extras as well.

Maybe not what you want to hear but my 0.02.

iwishtofish · 12/13/2009, 01:20 PM

Well, the 75g would give your tang a 4-foot sprint...

I really want to know what those are on your rock, as well. Maybe ricordia mushrooms?

View Poll Results: Which tank should I get
93 Gallon Cube 30x30x24	13	81.25%
75 Gallon 48x18x21	1	6.25%
Other, Leave comment below.	2	12.50%
Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

12/12/2009, 10:36 PM	#1
Damarcman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 86	Help me decide which tank to get I've had a 29 gal for about 4 years now and it's time for an upgrade. I have a hippo tang since the beginning and he's 3-4 inches now and I need to get him a bigger home. My ideal new tank would be 40"x24"x21", but quotes I've received from reputable tank builders want about $1400 or more shipped. So I've been searching every mass produced tank out there. And I think I've narrowed it down to two. Marineland/Perfecto 93gal 30x30x24 cube Non-Reef Ready ~ $400 quoted. or Marineland/Perfecto 75gal 48x18x21 Non-Reef Ready ~ $150-200 I would go bigger than those, but I'm in a condo/apt style 3rd floor and everyday dream of my own House (so i hope to move within a year or so), and can't have a huge tank here. Only supposed to have 10gal max per H-O-A. My Main wants in a new tank is more room for more fish. Larger space for big blue to swim, I would like some schooling fish. Fish list wants... 3-4 anthias, 5 blue-green chromis, 7-10 Longspine Cardinalfish ... and maybe a few more Small fish to go with my current 1 blue hippo 2 Pink Skunk Clowns 1 yellow clown goby 1 Diamond watchman goby 1 Red head goby 1 Bicolor bleenie I want new rock work that doesn't look just like a pile of rocks or a wall of rocks, I want it to be fluid and have overs and unders for fish to swim through. On both of them I want an open top with hanging lights, probably t-5s. I'll custom drill overflows with boxes on back top. I plan on probably 1 mp40 vortech, Reef Keeper controller, and DIY stand and reuse some current equipment. Here are some pics of current tank... http://www.flickr.com/photos/3634450...7622864735689/ What the heck is the name for these things? mushrooms, rics? they are like a disease on this big rock, there are tons of them. Last edited by Damarcman; 12/12/2009 at 10:47 PM.

12/13/2009, 11:55 AM	#6
Tang Salad Algae skeptic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 78702 Posts: 3,098	Get the 93. It's a cube and it's larger. __________________ Your algae is not special. Current Tank Info: TBD ADA 120-P SPS NLPS

12/13/2009, 12:51 PM	#7
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I'm all about depth front to back for scape. 18" F-B is a headache to scape IMO, so cube would be my choice. 30x30x24 is a nice foot __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

12/13/2009, 12:57 PM	#8
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	How deep do you want to be horsing around to get to the bottom? i even got sick of my 2' corner cube. reaching into 24" is a drag. i would say find a huge cube 20" deep or one of those 120's layed out like a deep(front-to-back) 75. then it will be fun to play in too __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

12/12/2009, 10:40 PM	#2
david pinder Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: houston tx 77316 Posts: 538	The biggest you can afford. other wise in a few years you will be doing it again. I know I know and I know again

12/12/2009, 10:52 PM	#3
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	I'd get 8' x 2' x 2' 240g.

12/13/2009, 11:49 AM	#5
Damarcman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 86	any opinions from the day time crew?

12/13/2009, 01:11 PM	#9
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	I really like Cube dimensions if they fit the room, my dream would be a walkaround cube tank but has to fit the room. However if you are going to be moving within the year I would: 1. Spend the year saving money and getting into a house.... NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW to buy a house especially if you are currently renting. 2. Search craigslist for local deals on standard sized tanks. I have seen 120g (48x24x24) going for $150 in great shape and many times with lots of extras as well. Maybe not what you want to hear but my 0.02. __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

12/13/2009, 01:20 PM	#10
iwishtofish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 4,949	Well, the 75g would give your tang a 4-foot sprint... I really want to know what those are on your rock, as well. Maybe ricordia mushrooms?