75 gallon vs 90 gallon

I was going to get a 75 gallon but then i noticed the equipment and stand i have would also work for a 90 gallon. My only concern is that the light might not look as nice on a 24-25 in deep 90 gallon as on a 21 inch deep 75 gallon. I have a 48 in coralife 250 watt aqualight pro. Do you think it will look about the same in either tank size? Lastly is there anything else that would sway me towards one or the other? Thanks!

 

I just made this decision a couple months ago! I don't know about your light, but I ended up picking the 90 because I wanted the extra space. I really wanted a tang and some other larger fish and felt like 90 would give me more options.

 

yea that's what i really want too because people say you can have a tang in a 75 but i really want my fish to be happy.

 

The 90 will give you more options for fish, at least numbers wise, but keep in mind the only difference is the height (for standard tanks). IME, fish don't really swim in the upper part of the tank, so you may look at it as a waste of space. IMO, I would rather have a 90 then a 75, but that's just me. I would always go bigger if you can, and that 2x250mh will be great for the 90.

 

I know they say you can keep some tangs in 75, but some get like a foot long. I mean, I couldn't imagine that living in a 75, ya know?! 90 just seems a lot better.

 

The longer the footprint of the tank, the happier the fish, a standard 90g gives you more room to play, bigger fish, more options etc. Will overly make the fish happier. Lighting wise Im not 100%. I run 6x54watt T5HO's on my 120g, Everything is doing great, Even my SPS are responding nicely to the lighting. as well as my LPS that are on the lower portion of the tank.

 

Actually Having a taller tank as well as longer has its pluses. Not all fish use the bottom or middle level of the tank. There are fish that are known to like open water or being near the top of the water.

My naso and achilles tang spend more time near the upper level of the tank and the stronger flow. then the rest of my fish. One of my books actually tells me in general where certain fish will more then likely occupy the tank.

 

If you want to keep the larger tangs (powder blue/brown, hippo, naso, sailfin etc.) I would get at least a 5" long tank. A 90 or 75 can house a yellow or purple tang fairly well, but neither the 90 or the 75 should house a mature, larger tang. It's not so much the amount of water but the length of the tank that give them the swimming room they enjoy. It would be better, IMO, to have a 4" long tank then a cube style tank.

 

Standard 90 is 4 ft long...right? Mine is 48 inches

 

Most 90's I've seen are 4' long. I dont think I have personally seen a 90 that isnt 4' or longer.