Which of these two aquariums should I buy???

jerod89 · 07/20/2014, 10:04 PM

I've been researching setting up a new tank for the past 4 months prior to me moving next week and I'm faced with the dilemma of which aquarium to choose. My LFS has two really nice aquariums exactly the same, black acrylic back panel, star fire glass, external overflow, matching stand and canopy, but one of them is a 150 (60x24x24) and the other is a 180 (72x24x24). Now obviously I want the 180 because several of my favorite fish are said to require a minimum 180/6ft tank, however, the 180 is $400 more. Now for $400 I would go ahead and buy the 180, but when I factor in the cost of additional equipment I'm wondering if it is worth it? My biggest concern is lighting. After hours of research and seeing lights in person I've settled on the ecotech radions. If I go with the 180 I will definitely need 3 radions, but I'm wondering if I could get away with two radions on the 150 using wide angle lenses? This would save me $750 making it a total of $1150 in savings (not including additional rock, sand, etc...) going with the 150 over the 180. My worry is that I purchase the 150 and end up having to get 3 radions anyways and then regretting not getting the 180 for an extra $400.

What does everyone think I should do?

whiteshark · 07/20/2014, 10:07 PM

Get the bigger tank.

asudavew · 07/20/2014, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiteshark

Get the bigger tank.

You won't regret it. You will regret the smaller one.

It just might take a bit longer to get all the equipment that you want. But it will be worth the wait.

I have a 180 and I wish I had a bigger one ..

dson78 · 07/21/2014, 06:46 AM

I would say get the bigger tank also.

dk638 · 07/21/2014, 07:07 AM

Go bigger. 2 radions aren't gonna cut it on the 150 anyway

jay13 · 07/21/2014, 07:09 AM

get the 6 footer, and look at used. i bought my 180 for 300 bucks!

fishgate · 07/21/2014, 07:14 AM

By the way - You'll save a hell of a lot going with Evergrow LEDs rather than the way, way overpriced radions.

ca1ore · 07/21/2014, 07:40 AM

Ah, it's a trick question ...... always always always always always ......go with the bigger tank.

hart24601 · 07/21/2014, 07:49 AM

You can't ask that question on reef central without everyone saying bigger, bigger bigger!

I have kept a nano for years and years along with a 65g and have been perfectly happy with them. Never wanted anything larger. So just be happy with whatever you get!

wm jim · 07/21/2014, 08:12 AM

Its an addiction, go bigger. Length gives more options on fish to

FishInABarrel · 07/21/2014, 08:14 AM

You could look for a 72x18x22 (125 gal).

Zer0. · 07/21/2014, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishgate

By the way - You'll save a hell of a lot going with Evergrow LEDs rather than the way, way overpriced radions.

or any other not over hyped name brand. I just spent less than 500 on three modular Aquamana LEDs.

http://www.amazon.com/AQUAMANA-Spect...b+led+165+watt

ca1ore · 07/21/2014, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hart24601

You can't ask that question on reef central without everyone saying bigger, bigger bigger!

Well, you didn't

Zer0. · 07/21/2014, 08:31 AM

by the way how much were the tanks? I'm in the process of ordering a 180 gallon tank. but its not starphire, hopefully i wont regret it.

ca1ore · 07/21/2014, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zer0.

by the way how much were the tanks? I'm in the process of ordering a 180 gallon tank. but its not starphire, hopefully i wont regret it.

Difference between starphire and regular glass is quite apparent when the tank is empty, but far less so to me when filled. Frankly, that the former scratches more easily is enough for me to go regular ..... and save a bit of $$

GT350pwns · 07/21/2014, 08:59 AM

Go bigger!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zer0.

or any other not over hyped name brand. I just spent less than 500 on three modular Aquamana LEDs.

http://www.amazon.com/AQUAMANA-Spect...b+led+165+watt

How well do these disperse light? Would I need one or two for my 36 gal bowfront?

Sk8r · 07/21/2014, 09:34 AM

I'd say save up the extra 400 and get what you know will serve you better. May take a little longer, but worth it. Be very, very sure on your lights---those dictate what you can keep successfully.

whiteshark · 07/21/2014, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hart24601

You can't ask that question on reef central without everyone saying bigger, bigger bigger!

I have kept a nano for years and years along with a 65g and have been perfectly happy with them. Never wanted anything larger. So just be happy with whatever you get!

There is nothing wrong with smaller tanks, and it's not really a bigger is always better type scenario. If the choice were between a 65 gallon and a 180 gallon the discussion might be different. Many other factors would be at play there. However, the price and equipment expense between a 150 and a 180 is going to be relatively minimal so to me there is no reason not to get the bigger of those two unless space is a big issue and the 180 wouldn't fit. If that were the case, though, I doubt this question would have been asked in the first place.

ChimolaFish · 07/21/2014, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Ah, it's a trick question ...... always always always always always ......go with the bigger tank.

Go bigger. 400$ sucks, but as far as equipment goes, its about the same. You won't want to put wide angle lenses on 2 ecotechs anyway. That's just cutting corners and this hobby is not about that if you can avoid it.

DrBoxedWine · 07/21/2014, 11:19 AM

In my opinion, the 180 is really where the truly awesome tanks begin. Not to knock the 150, but 180's are just.freaking.awesome. I have a 75g now due to the size of our house. But when i talk about upgrading when we get a bigger house and my fiancee asks me what my minimum size would be, the 180 is what i always say.

And have you considered more of a middle of the ground light? A Trio of Kessil A360WE's would like great over that tank and would save you some serious cash. Just a thought, as the radions are really awesome, no doubt.

I agree that in the grand scheme of things, the 180 will cost you barely more than a 150. You'll need the same amount of lighting and basically the same amount of sand. Just some extra rocks, bigger skimmer and bigger sump. It'll be a few hundred extra, but not that much in the grand scheme of things. And to answer your question... I don't think you can get away with 2 lights on a 150. Is there a center brace in the middle of either tank? That could make going with the radions tough as you'd need to put a light in the middle. The amount of lights you need depends more on the length of the tank, than the depth.

Voodoo Corals · 07/21/2014, 11:26 AM

Bigger if you can afford it.

jerod89 · 07/21/2014, 12:05 PM

Bigger it is!!!

JoelA7 · 07/21/2014, 12:10 PM

+1 for the 6x2x2. Now re Radions. I have 2 on a 4x2x26" and can tell you that you could easily aqua scape a 6' tank so that the light from 2 Radions was sufficient. Orient them lengthwise on the tank and position them where you intend to out the corals with the highest light requirements. These are bright!

lutz123 · 07/21/2014, 12:31 PM

I also agree with the bigger tank because you would like it more. And seconding+ the recommendation to consider less expensive lights (have you looked at Ocean Revive?). You could make up the difference with that. And upgrading lights later on is no big deal - way easier than a tank upgrade.

pmrossetti · 07/21/2014, 12:46 PM

180

07/20/2014, 10:04 PM	#1
jerod89 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Kansas Posts: 48	Which of these two aquariums should I buy??? I've been researching setting up a new tank for the past 4 months prior to me moving next week and I'm faced with the dilemma of which aquarium to choose. My LFS has two really nice aquariums exactly the same, black acrylic back panel, star fire glass, external overflow, matching stand and canopy, but one of them is a 150 (60x24x24) and the other is a 180 (72x24x24). Now obviously I want the 180 because several of my favorite fish are said to require a minimum 180/6ft tank, however, the 180 is $400 more. Now for $400 I would go ahead and buy the 180, but when I factor in the cost of additional equipment I'm wondering if it is worth it? My biggest concern is lighting. After hours of research and seeing lights in person I've settled on the ecotech radions. If I go with the 180 I will definitely need 3 radions, but I'm wondering if I could get away with two radions on the 150 using wide angle lenses? This would save me $750 making it a total of $1150 in savings (not including additional rock, sand, etc...) going with the 150 over the 180. My worry is that I purchase the 150 and end up having to get 3 radions anyways and then regretting not getting the 180 for an extra $400. What does everyone think I should do?

07/20/2014, 10:07 PM	#2
whiteshark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 3,024	Get the bigger tank. __________________ Deep Blue 60 gallon cube: Setup in progress.

07/21/2014, 07:14 AM	#7
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	By the way - You'll save a hell of a lot going with Evergrow LEDs rather than the way, way overpriced radions. __________________ 125RR in-wall, 40B Sump, CS180 BM Skimmer, ATI 4x80 watt, eheim 1262, custom wrap around rock wall, ReefKeeper Elite 120g in-wall, 40B Sump, PC 54wx4, Jabao DC-6000 (full siphon), future seahorse t Current Tank Info: 125g, 120g, 2x40b sumps, ATI 4x80 T5HO

07/21/2014, 07:40 AM	#8
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Ah, it's a trick question ...... always always always always always ......go with the bigger tank. __________________ 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

07/21/2014, 08:12 AM	#10
wm jim Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Blue Ash Ohio Posts: 56	Its an addiction, go bigger. Length gives more options on fish to __________________ 300 gallon display, 200 gallon display, 200 gallon for lions 180 refusium and 50 gallon sump with 22 total tangs about 10 other types of fish. Tangs are by far my favorite fish. Current Tank Info: 300 and 200 mixed reef and fish mostly tangs and angels with a 200 gallon of lions with a 180 gallon refusium and a 50 gallon sump all tied together

07/21/2014, 06:46 AM	#4
dson78 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 87	I would say get the bigger tank also.

07/21/2014, 07:07 AM	#5
dk638 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 140	Go bigger. 2 radions aren't gonna cut it on the 150 anyway

07/21/2014, 07:09 AM	#6
jay13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: michigan Posts: 220	get the 6 footer, and look at used. i bought my 180 for 300 bucks!

07/21/2014, 07:49 AM	#9
hart24601 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 633	You can't ask that question on reef central without everyone saying bigger, bigger bigger! I have kept a nano for years and years along with a 65g and have been perfectly happy with them. Never wanted anything larger. So just be happy with whatever you get!

07/21/2014, 08:14 AM	#11
FishInABarrel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Grande Prairie, Alberta Posts: 275	You could look for a 72x18x22 (125 gal).

07/21/2014, 08:31 AM	#14
Zer0. Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 479	by the way how much were the tanks? I'm in the process of ordering a 180 gallon tank. but its not starphire, hopefully i wont regret it.

07/21/2014, 09:34 AM	#17
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I'd say save up the extra 400 and get what you know will serve you better. May take a little longer, but worth it. Be very, very sure on your lights---those dictate what you can keep successfully. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/21/2014, 11:19 AM	#20
DrBoxedWine Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 899	In my opinion, the 180 is really where the truly awesome tanks begin. Not to knock the 150, but 180's are just.freaking.awesome. I have a 75g now due to the size of our house. But when i talk about upgrading when we get a bigger house and my fiancee asks me what my minimum size would be, the 180 is what i always say. And have you considered more of a middle of the ground light? A Trio of Kessil A360WE's would like great over that tank and would save you some serious cash. Just a thought, as the radions are really awesome, no doubt. I agree that in the grand scheme of things, the 180 will cost you barely more than a 150. You'll need the same amount of lighting and basically the same amount of sand. Just some extra rocks, bigger skimmer and bigger sump. It'll be a few hundred extra, but not that much in the grand scheme of things. And to answer your question... I don't think you can get away with 2 lights on a 150. Is there a center brace in the middle of either tank? That could make going with the radions tough as you'd need to put a light in the middle. The amount of lights you need depends more on the length of the tank, than the depth.

07/21/2014, 11:26 AM	#21
Voodoo Corals Moved On Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: North Carolina Posts: 104	Bigger if you can afford it.

07/21/2014, 12:05 PM	#22
jerod89 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Kansas Posts: 48	Bigger it is!!!

07/21/2014, 12:10 PM	#23
JoelA7 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Brookline, MA Posts: 1,056	+1 for the 6x2x2. Now re Radions. I have 2 on a 4x2x26" and can tell you that you could easily aqua scape a 6' tank so that the light from 2 Radions was sufficient. Orient them lengthwise on the tank and position them where you intend to out the corals with the highest light requirements. These are bright! __________________ New 48x24x26.25 w Precision Marine R30 sump, Vertex Omega 150 skimmer, 2@Vertex 1.5L reactors for carbon & phosban, GEO Ca reactor w Aquarium Plants regulator. 2 MP40's 2@Radions. #120 live rock & #12

07/21/2014, 12:31 PM	#24
lutz123 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Purcellville, VA Posts: 72	I also agree with the bigger tank because you would like it more. And seconding+ the recommendation to consider less expensive lights (have you looked at Ocean Revive?). You could make up the difference with that. And upgrading lights later on is no big deal - way easier than a tank upgrade.

07/21/2014, 12:46 PM	#25
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	180