Is it me......

I don't know what it is but i am feeling not content! i am pricing/learning for a saltwater reef tank and have a 75gal tank sitting in the basment waiting to be filled and i am constently torn if i should just buy a 120gal to start of in it seems that all the tools that i am looking for the 75 are good for 120gal systems? or do i buy bigger stuff than what is needed? i wanted to use my 33gal for a sump/refugif i use the 75 . But the 75gal is not drilled is there ways around this.on the other hand the 75gal would work for the 120gal!
I dont have a lfs that carries saltwater close by so i cant just pop in and explain everything.
Also the cost really wouldn't be that much more you think would it?
Any info ,wisdom or experiences would be very helpful! thanks

 

I like the way you think.

 

If it were me, I would go for the 120 and use the 75 for a hefty sump/refugium. I think it opens more possibilities and makes for a nicer all around better system.

 

I would go for the driller 120 aswell. Thats what i have. Fortunately i was able to get a used 120 reef ready tank for real cheap. But i wanted a new one with saphire glass. The main reason i got a 120 is that after i add the live rock in a 75 there is no area left in the front, what i call the "beach area ". 120 are usually 24" deep so there is plenty of real estate so to speak.

All this ofcource depends on your experience. Predrilled tanks are much easier to deal with because you can just work under the tank instead of behind the tank.

I have a Aqua C Urchin Pro skimmer which can handle upto 120g. Going from a 75 to a 120 you will see a difference in price.

Consider the fact that the stand, lighting, cooling, drilled tank, sump, live sand, live rock, heater, skimmer and return pump will cost more.

 

The 75g will easily work as a sump/fuge for the 120g. You will have to get an over-sized stand as they are both 48" long. And the stand will have to have a side entry....you want to be able to get your fuge out of the stand if necessary. That is a must. Now, most items purchased for a 75g will work for a 120g. I upgraded from a 75 to a 90 and just had to do a transfer....then had to buy a few more powerheads to take care of flow as well as install another overflow to handle circulation to the sump/fuge. I would definitely go 120. Wouldn't think twice on that one. You will just get the 75g set up, then start planning the upgrade right away. Doesn't make sense. T5s will still work on a 120g system as it is only 24 inches deep. The skimmer, however, will have to be of the bigger variety. I would get one that is rated at least 300g lightly stocked. Don't skimp on lighting or skimming.

 

I agree with both, Unclejed and Infamous, the 120 with the 75 as a sump/refugium is a great choice. The only downside to this option are the costs. As you go bigger, so do the price tags. It all boils down to your budget and the space for it. Luna

 

To second what Luna is saying, I must say that I started with a 75gal, we got so addicted that we got another 75gal and it is a lot of work and $ to properly keep both running smoothly, which they do not, because I can't afford to have the best stuff for both. I keep telling my sig that I want to condense both tanks into one at some point if at all possible and then re-start the other when I can afford to run both like they should be...

It's always something... lighting, water flow, pump dying here or there, refugiums, water changes, reactors, etc... it doesn't seem to end.

 

As for one of the original questions, you need to oversize for darned near everything, especially filtration. Buying a skimmer, wetdry, or anything rated at least 2X your tank size is what I would reccommend. The more filtration the better IMO, your livestock will thank you for it!!

 

Got for the 120g you will wish you did down the road. The 75g will make a geat sump being 4' long.

 

go with a 180 over a 120 you'll be way happier, and use the 75 for a sump/fuge