90 or 75 gallon?

Tiger3147 · 04/06/2006, 09:03 AM

I have a stand/canopy for a 75/90 gallon aquarium but have yet to purchase the aquarium its self. What i am wondering is for the extra 50 bucks or so i can get the 90 gallon so i figure why not. but the canopy is already retrofited with 4 110 watt VHO's and i worry that it will not be enough for such a deep tank.

Upgradeing my lighting at this point is just not posible with a shallow canopy at only 4 inches i would need a whole new canopy on top of a MH retro fit kit. However 50 bucks for 15 more gallons of space sounds like the better deal and i know i will just want the bigger one as soon as i get the 75 home anyway.

So i guess my question is if i go with the 90 what would i be able to keep as opposed to the same set up on the 75. I can always upgrade my lighting later but i wanted to make sure i would have enough options with the 90 in the meantime.

jjmatti · 04/06/2006, 09:18 AM

Why bother?? Go with the 75 gallon for now and it will make a great frag tank in the future... Once your a few months in and your fully addicted to this hobby you wont even think about a 90. you will want to go straight to a 265...
I remeber when I got my 75 and had 1 Oscar in it.. I thought the tank was HUGE !!!! Now I look at it and it is so tiny...

I vote 75 Gallon... For the sake of saving money now just to spend it all later.

Stile2 · 04/06/2006, 09:29 AM

I think it depends not on size, but dimensions. What are the dimensions?

Keith

Tiger3147 · 04/06/2006, 09:46 AM

Well thats what i am worried about the 90 galon is a 24 inch deep tank. So lighting it would be difficult with VHO. but i guess i could just keep things higher in the tank? is that what you ment by deminsions.

davocean · 04/06/2006, 09:47 AM

90 is such a good size IMO
I've been happy w/ mine for years
Yes, of course I want something twice the size, and mainly for my nems that have become huge, but when that time comes you're going to need all new stuff anyway.

benray4fun · 04/06/2006, 09:50 AM

Tiger,
I have a 90g with the exact same 4x110w vho's and I can keep just about anything including anemones. You'll be set for a year before you have to replace the bulbs and you can order or build your own custom canopy with halides installed, but you only get one chance to get a 90g for fifty bucks... so I say vote your heart and go with the 90g. Don't forget it takes a year before a deep sand bed really comes to life anyways...

Stile2 · 04/06/2006, 10:07 AM

If the 90 is 24" deep then I say go for the 90. How wide, front to back? And how long?

Keith

Tiger3147 · 04/06/2006, 10:11 AM

same deminsions as a 75 just deeper i belive that is 48 inches long and 17 inches back?

Stile2 · 04/06/2006, 10:33 AM

IMHO, 17" front to back will limit aquascaping, but I would still go for the 90.

Tiger3147 · 04/06/2006, 11:35 AM

ah, its acually 18 inches back to front if that inch really makes a huge diffrence.

kclewis · 04/06/2006, 11:55 AM

i had the same problem, if you want to call it a problem, and went with the 90. now i wonder why i even considered the 75.

giants4pc · 04/06/2006, 12:06 PM

How much extra weight is it. I have a 75 and want to upgrade to a 90. My sump was designed for a 75 and mine is acylic. I wonder if it could withstand the extra weight. The stand/sump is made out of thick acylic.

Tiger3147 · 04/06/2006, 12:08 PM

Yea i can see myself thinking the same thing. It just scared me when i found little to no 90 gallon set ups on here without MH. I guess at worst i can keep things closer to the light in the mean time. Anyone have some pictures or threads about VHO only tanks near this size or is it just not done that often.

Tiger3147 · 04/06/2006, 12:10 PM

Yea i worried about the weight for a moment too but i figured those 15 gallons and 50 or so pounds of rock would not make or break me in a apartment. But that may just be wishful thinking.

giants4pc · 04/06/2006, 12:13 PM

however...glass weighs more than acylic...that needs to be factored into the equation as well.

Tiger3147 · 04/06/2006, 12:15 PM

Ah, i missed that slight detail, i tend to do that alot these days

Maker · 04/06/2006, 12:24 PM

Go with the 90 gallon. The extra height really shows off a reef aquarium. You're VHO lighting will be plenty for that tank. If you do decide to get SPS corals you'll want to place them higher in the tank I would think.

FWIW, my LFS has a 120 gallon tank (6" deeper than the 90) setup with 4 110w VHO for about 2 years now. It is gorgeous! The colors really pop out at you!

Maker

ste6168 · 04/06/2006, 12:38 PM

i dunno, i would go for the 75g just because i have one and love it... I think the 90's although i think the height is to much, the same reason i do not like 120's. IMO your options should be between a 75 and 90, but a 75 and 180. I know you have a stand and canopy already for a 4 foot tank, but who cares... factor in the 180 now cause your going to want it in a year.

trmiv · 04/06/2006, 01:07 PM

Get the 90. I actually bought a 75 and ended up selling it and getting a 90 before I set it up. The 75 was just too short, I wanted that extra height.

Biggie · 04/06/2006, 01:15 PM

Had 90 as my first tank still makes me happy, So I doubled it and got a 180 and keep the first 90 as hospital/frag tank now Im 3 times 90 happy! More water more happy!!

fish1219 · 04/06/2006, 01:33 PM

I had the same decision to make this year between the 75 and 90. Was concerned about the lights on the 90 over the 75. I was using VHOs on my 45gal. When I upgraded I switched some of the VHOs to T5HOs with SLRs (Single Lamp Reflector). I don't think you will have a problem with the 90. I purchased the 90 for the extra capacity and am very happy with it.

Tiger3147 · 04/06/2006, 01:44 PM

yea i will likely get the 90. however giants4pc has got me slightly unsure about the weight in a second story apartment.would i be correct in assumeing if a 75 would be fine weight wise the 90 would be as well?

04/06/2006, 09:03 AM	#1
Tiger3147 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 121	90 or 75 gallon? I have a stand/canopy for a 75/90 gallon aquarium but have yet to purchase the aquarium its self. What i am wondering is for the extra 50 bucks or so i can get the 90 gallon so i figure why not. but the canopy is already retrofited with 4 110 watt VHO's and i worry that it will not be enough for such a deep tank. Upgradeing my lighting at this point is just not posible with a shallow canopy at only 4 inches i would need a whole new canopy on top of a MH retro fit kit. However 50 bucks for 15 more gallons of space sounds like the better deal and i know i will just want the bigger one as soon as i get the 75 home anyway. So i guess my question is if i go with the 90 what would i be able to keep as opposed to the same set up on the 75. I can always upgrade my lighting later but i wanted to make sure i would have enough options with the 90 in the meantime.

04/06/2006, 09:29 AM	#3
Stile2 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yucaipa, California (some little town you've never heard of) Posts: 1,624	I think it depends not on size, but dimensions. What are the dimensions? Keith __________________ If you have a college degree, you can be sure of one thing. You have a college degree! Superman owns Chuck Norris Pajamas!! Current Tank Info: 77 Gallon Custom peninsula 3 sides viewable, DIY Steel Stand, OM Squirt, 2 x 250 w MH, 2 x 95 w VHO, DIY Skimmer

04/06/2006, 09:47 AM	#5
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	90 is such a good size IMO I've been happy w/ mine for years Yes, of course I want something twice the size, and mainly for my nems that have become huge, but when that time comes you're going to need all new stuff anyway. __________________ 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

04/06/2006, 10:07 AM	#7
Stile2 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yucaipa, California (some little town you've never heard of) Posts: 1,624	If the 90 is 24" deep then I say go for the 90. How wide, front to back? And how long? Keith __________________ If you have a college degree, you can be sure of one thing. You have a college degree! Superman owns Chuck Norris Pajamas!! Current Tank Info: 77 Gallon Custom peninsula 3 sides viewable, DIY Steel Stand, OM Squirt, 2 x 250 w MH, 2 x 95 w VHO, DIY Skimmer

04/06/2006, 10:33 AM	#9
Stile2 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yucaipa, California (some little town you've never heard of) Posts: 1,624	IMHO, 17" front to back will limit aquascaping, but I would still go for the 90. __________________ If you have a college degree, you can be sure of one thing. You have a college degree! Superman owns Chuck Norris Pajamas!! Current Tank Info: 77 Gallon Custom peninsula 3 sides viewable, DIY Steel Stand, OM Squirt, 2 x 250 w MH, 2 x 95 w VHO, DIY Skimmer

04/06/2006, 09:18 AM	#2
jjmatti Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 517	Why bother?? Go with the 75 gallon for now and it will make a great frag tank in the future... Once your a few months in and your fully addicted to this hobby you wont even think about a 90. you will want to go straight to a 265... I remeber when I got my 75 and had 1 Oscar in it.. I thought the tank was HUGE !!!! Now I look at it and it is so tiny... I vote 75 Gallon... For the sake of saving money now just to spend it all later.

04/06/2006, 09:46 AM	#4
Tiger3147 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 121	Well thats what i am worried about the 90 galon is a 24 inch deep tank. So lighting it would be difficult with VHO. but i guess i could just keep things higher in the tank? is that what you ment by deminsions.

04/06/2006, 09:50 AM	#6
benray4fun Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hartford, CONNECTICUT Posts: 1,147	Tiger, I have a 90g with the exact same 4x110w vho's and I can keep just about anything including anemones. You'll be set for a year before you have to replace the bulbs and you can order or build your own custom canopy with halides installed, but you only get one chance to get a 90g for fifty bucks... so I say vote your heart and go with the 90g. Don't forget it takes a year before a deep sand bed really comes to life anyways...

04/06/2006, 10:11 AM	#8
Tiger3147 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 121	same deminsions as a 75 just deeper i belive that is 48 inches long and 17 inches back?

04/06/2006, 11:35 AM	#10
Tiger3147 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 121	ah, its acually 18 inches back to front if that inch really makes a huge diffrence.

04/06/2006, 11:55 AM	#11
kclewis REEFER Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beautiful Bargersville, IN Posts: 383	i had the same problem, if you want to call it a problem, and went with the 90. now i wonder why i even considered the 75. __________________ #RageRestRepeat \mm/

04/06/2006, 12:06 PM	#12
giants4pc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: connecticut Posts: 1,699	How much extra weight is it. I have a 75 and want to upgrade to a 90. My sump was designed for a 75 and mine is acylic. I wonder if it could withstand the extra weight. The stand/sump is made out of thick acylic.

04/06/2006, 12:08 PM	#13
Tiger3147 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 121	Yea i can see myself thinking the same thing. It just scared me when i found little to no 90 gallon set ups on here without MH. I guess at worst i can keep things closer to the light in the mean time. Anyone have some pictures or threads about VHO only tanks near this size or is it just not done that often.

04/06/2006, 12:10 PM	#14
Tiger3147 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 121	Yea i worried about the weight for a moment too but i figured those 15 gallons and 50 or so pounds of rock would not make or break me in a apartment. But that may just be wishful thinking.

04/06/2006, 12:13 PM	#15
giants4pc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: connecticut Posts: 1,699	however...glass weighs more than acylic...that needs to be factored into the equation as well.

04/06/2006, 12:15 PM	#16
Tiger3147 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 121	Ah, i missed that slight detail, i tend to do that alot these days

04/06/2006, 12:24 PM	#17
Maker Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 81	Go with the 90 gallon. The extra height really shows off a reef aquarium. You're VHO lighting will be plenty for that tank. If you do decide to get SPS corals you'll want to place them higher in the tank I would think. FWIW, my LFS has a 120 gallon tank (6" deeper than the 90) setup with 4 110w VHO for about 2 years now. It is gorgeous! The colors really pop out at you! Maker

04/06/2006, 12:38 PM	#18
ste6168 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,066	i dunno, i would go for the 75g just because i have one and love it... I think the 90's although i think the height is to much, the same reason i do not like 120's. IMO your options should be between a 75 and 90, but a 75 and 180. I know you have a stand and canopy already for a 4 foot tank, but who cares... factor in the 180 now cause your going to want it in a year.

04/06/2006, 01:07 PM	#19
trmiv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,082	Get the 90. I actually bought a 75 and ended up selling it and getting a 90 before I set it up. The 75 was just too short, I wanted that extra height. __________________ Current tank: Red Sea Reefer 350 Deluxe, Avast Marine Pegleg 180 skimmer, Gyre 150, Eheim 1262 return

04/06/2006, 01:15 PM	#20
Biggie Moved On Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 785	Had 90 as my first tank still makes me happy, So I doubled it and got a 180 and keep the first 90 as hospital/frag tank now Im 3 times 90 happy! More water more happy!!

04/06/2006, 01:33 PM	#21
fish1219 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vestal, NY Posts: 378	I had the same decision to make this year between the 75 and 90. Was concerned about the lights on the 90 over the 75. I was using VHOs on my 45gal. When I upgraded I switched some of the VHOs to T5HOs with SLRs (Single Lamp Reflector). I don't think you will have a problem with the 90. I purchased the 90 for the extra capacity and am very happy with it.

04/06/2006, 01:44 PM	#22
Tiger3147 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 121	yea i will likely get the 90. however giants4pc has got me slightly unsure about the weight in a second story apartment.would i be correct in assumeing if a 75 would be fine weight wise the 90 would be as well?