150 Gal or 180 Gal

fishguy27 · 10/04/2006, 09:08 PM

I'm in the early protion of my design stage and I am trying to decide between a 150 or 180 gallon GLASS tank. Any input is helpful!!!

Thanx all

dc · 10/04/2006, 09:14 PM

To Reef Central

Bigger is better?

drummereef · 10/04/2006, 09:14 PM

180 for sure! Bigger is always better, imo, you lucky dog you.

I like the proportions of the 180 myself. My next upgrade will a 180 for sure.

jun_celis · 10/04/2006, 09:16 PM

I don't have that big of a tank but if I were to start over again, I would go with the biggest I could fit in my house and my budget. 180 it is!!!

mg426 · 10/04/2006, 10:07 PM

180 gets my vote, that was an easy one LOL

Brewen · 10/04/2006, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jun_celis
I don't have that big of a tank but if I were to start over again, I would go with the biggest I could fit in my house and my budget. 180 it is!!!

I second this!

sidd129 · 10/04/2006, 11:19 PM

I say the biggest tank that you can still reach the bottom in.

theatrus · 10/05/2006, 01:08 AM

Whats wrong with a 300g? Its only an extra foot or so longer

180 would be my pick too.

Dave Cox · 10/05/2006, 03:14 AM

No brainer. Go big or go home !

atty · 10/05/2006, 03:26 AM

i have to question this, the bigger the tank the more expensive the products are to run it. More salt, more expensive protein skimmer, more live rock and the worst of all more power

2farNorth · 10/05/2006, 05:00 AM

180 over a 150, I have a 150 (FW) and It is hard to work on being so tall.. (I am assuming your talking 6' tanks here) I have a REALLY hard time reaching bottom... that and the surface area of the 180 is alot easier to aquascape... as for the expense, it is going to be a little more,, but once you get everything.. there isn't much of a difference... just the initial cost... running it should be close to the same (only 30 gallons more)

fufi5 · 10/05/2006, 08:03 AM

180 for sure

serpentman · 10/05/2006, 08:31 AM

Definitely the 180. The difference in cost to run it is negligable. Furthermore, the dimensions are more conducive to a reef (IMO). With that said, I only partially subscribe to the bigger is better theory.

Significant jumps in water volume often mean more $ in Water changes, power consumption aka heating/cooling, and equipment upgrades.

Shagsbeard · 10/05/2006, 08:57 AM

The size tank you get really depends on two things:

1) Budget.
2) Space you're putting it in.

Get the largest tank that satisfies the two and you'll be happier in the long run with it.

thor32766 · 10/05/2006, 10:01 AM

go as big as you can!

besl · 10/05/2006, 10:19 AM

I pondered between a 125, 150 and 180 before I made my purchase and I ended up with a 125 which I am very happy with. My rationale was a 125 gallon is roughly : 72 x 18 x 23. A 150 gallon is also 72 x 18 but adds another 5 inches in height - this looked cool, but now I definitely need 250 - 400 w MH whereas on the 125 gal, 150w MH are an option. Of course bigger is better and I did look at the 180 gallon, which is roughly: 72 x 24 x 25. I did like the added 6" depth, however, not only am I back to at least the 250w MH, but also a bigger ($$) skimmer. So, based on my budget I am very pleased with the 125. If your budget allows, definitely go with the 180 over a 150 as it will cost you aroundthe same $ and you will have the added 6" depth which adds alot - IMO.

fishguy27 · 10/05/2006, 11:07 AM

Thanks very much for all of your info. I will keep all of this in mind as I purchase my tank. My LFS is moving and needing some part time help to do so, so i'm thinking a little trade out sounds good to me, "if you know what i mean".

sidd129 · 10/05/2006, 12:07 PM

What skimmers are you looking at so far?

10/04/2006, 09:08 PM	#1
fishguy27 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Springdale Posts: 17	150 Gal or 180 Gal I'm in the early protion of my design stage and I am trying to decide between a 150 or 180 gallon GLASS tank. Any input is helpful!!! Thanx all

10/04/2006, 09:14 PM	#2
dc Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 44,684	*To Reef Central* Bigger is better? __________________ Debi ~60 Cube~ Why? Because I said so of course. -Sent via Tapatalk Smoke Signals-

10/04/2006, 09:14 PM	#3
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	180 for sure! Bigger is always better, imo, you lucky dog you. I like the proportions of the 180 myself. My next upgrade will a 180 for sure. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

10/04/2006, 10:07 PM	#5
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	180 gets my vote, that was an easy one LOL __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

10/05/2006, 01:08 AM	#8
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Whats wrong with a 300g? Its only an extra foot or so longer 180 would be my pick too. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

10/04/2006, 09:16 PM	#4
jun_celis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Algonquin, IL Posts: 1,487	I don't have that big of a tank but if I were to start over again, I would go with the biggest I could fit in my house and my budget. 180 it is!!!

10/04/2006, 11:19 PM	#7
sidd129 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tomahawk, WI Posts: 543	I say the biggest tank that you can still reach the bottom in.

10/05/2006, 03:14 AM	#9
Dave Cox Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts: 229	No brainer. Go big or go home !

10/05/2006, 03:26 AM	#10
atty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sydney, australia Posts: 195	i have to question this, the bigger the tank the more expensive the products are to run it. More salt, more expensive protein skimmer, more live rock and the worst of all more power

10/05/2006, 05:00 AM	#11
2farNorth Moved On Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upper Peninsula, Michigan Posts: 929	180 over a 150, I have a 150 (FW) and It is hard to work on being so tall.. (I am assuming your talking 6' tanks here) I have a REALLY hard time reaching bottom... that and the surface area of the 180 is alot easier to aquascape... as for the expense, it is going to be a little more,, but once you get everything.. there isn't much of a difference... just the initial cost... running it should be close to the same (only 30 gallons more)

10/05/2006, 08:03 AM	#12
fufi5 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 60	180 for sure __________________ It's not a fish tank, it's an ecosystem. I'm Rick James Btch!! Current Tank Info: 20gal (w/softies)

10/05/2006, 08:31 AM	#13
serpentman part time superhero Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Deep in the Heart of the Snowbelt (NE OHIO) Posts: 5,698	Definitely the 180. The difference in cost to run it is negligable. Furthermore, the dimensions are more conducive to a reef (IMO). With that said, I only partially subscribe to the bigger is better theory. Significant jumps in water volume often mean more $ in Water changes, power consumption aka heating/cooling, and equipment upgrades. __________________ BS in Marine Bio ('96), First SW tank in 1992. Current Tank(s) 300g SPS with 90g frag tank and 40 anemone tank - decommissioned 46g LPS/Softy Cube 300g FOWLR under construction - decommissioned

10/05/2006, 08:57 AM	#14
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	The size tank you get really depends on two things: 1) Budget. 2) Space you're putting it in. Get the largest tank that satisfies the two and you'll be happier in the long run with it.

10/05/2006, 10:01 AM	#15
thor32766 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chuluota, FL Posts: 6,072	go as big as you can! __________________ "Live your life so no one has to lie about who you were at your funeral" click on my red house to see my tang compound! Current Tank Info: 29 gallon in Wall!

10/05/2006, 10:19 AM	#16
besl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boston-burb, MA Posts: 800	I pondered between a 125, 150 and 180 before I made my purchase and I ended up with a 125 which I am very happy with. My rationale was a 125 gallon is roughly : 72 x 18 x 23. A 150 gallon is also 72 x 18 but adds another 5 inches in height - this looked cool, but now I definitely need 250 - 400 w MH whereas on the 125 gal, 150w MH are an option. Of course bigger is better and I did look at the 180 gallon, which is roughly: 72 x 24 x 25. I did like the added 6" depth, however, not only am I back to at least the 250w MH, but also a bigger ($$) skimmer. So, based on my budget I am very pleased with the 125. If your budget allows, definitely go with the 180 over a 150 as it will cost you aroundthe same $ and you will have the added 6" depth which adds alot - IMO. __________________ Why did kamakazi pilots wear helmets? Current Tank Info: 55 Gal, 260W CF, 60 lbs LR, CC base, 7 fish, 10 corals, Aquafuge - chaetomorpha & grape

10/05/2006, 11:07 AM	#17
fishguy27 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Springdale Posts: 17	Many thanx Thanks very much for all of your info. I will keep all of this in mind as I purchase my tank. My LFS is moving and needing some part time help to do so, so i'm thinking a little trade out sounds good to me, "if you know what i mean".

10/05/2006, 12:07 PM	#18
sidd129 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tomahawk, WI Posts: 543	What skimmers are you looking at so far?