Want to upgrade my tank...Need help on size

Hi everyone,

I am looking to upgrade my 55 gallon tank mainly because of the fish limitations. The problem I am having is ......yep you guessed it, my wife..lol.
Anyway we have the room for a pretty big tank but she is having a cow about taking up too much space. I want a 120 gallon, but she seems to only be willing to go to a 90 gallon. What would the fish limitations be between the two sized tanks? If its really no difference then maybe I will break and settle for the 90. Thanks for the help everybody.

 

I am not 100% certain when tank sizes are noted by gallonage

but if the 90 and the 120 are the same lenght, 4ft long, with the 120 being taller and or wider , then there is no significant advantage in terms of what species of fish can be kept IMO. There is an advantage in terms of overall numbers of fish you can keep, if it wider (more surface area is good) but if the difference is height , then again it makes no difference in terms of how many fish it can safely accomodate

lenght is often the governing factor in terms of fish species, open water swimmers appreciate it

so if the difference was between a 4ft tank and a 6ft tank - then the 6ft wins my vote
as it opens up the possibilities for more fish species

Steve

 

Pah, just put a 5,000 in the basement. She gets all the closet space LOLOL

 

Here are all the reasons a 120 is better than a 90:

- It is essentially the same as a 90, but is just 6" larger front to back. As such it really doesn't take up any more space than a 90. It's 6", just 6"...

- An 18" wide tank (the 90 is 18") is far more difficult to aquascape than a 24" wide tank (the 120 is 24"). As such they don't look as nice! Also the width may force you to put rocks closer to the front of the tank which makes it tougher to clean! (ok, this is a stretch).

- You can get light coverage with essentially the same lights as a 90.

- More water volume means healthier critters. She wants healthier critters, right?

In all seriousness, there is little practical difference in terms of expense between the two tanks, but the 120 looks far nicer and is easier to scape.

 

Thanks. I was thinking the same thing and trying to get her to see the point about the 6". I think she just wants to say no. I may just buy it and let her get mad for a few hours or so and get over it. I know if I don't buy what I want it will bug me until I go out and spend more money on another tank.

 

just get a 120 and tell her its a 90 bahahaha!, they are both 4 feet long (unless you get a 5 foot 120 and they are harder to find i think at least in my area) and i doubt she will actually measure it....but as mentioned you will not be able to keep larger fish really like lagre tangs and angels because they still have the same amount of swimming room side to side and they dont really care about front to back haha. but you can keep many more small fish then in a 55...i have a 120 and though i love it its just not big enough for my plans...i also started with a 55 and upgraded within 3 months of setting it up lol.

 

Thanks. She will not go for a 6 foot tank. If she would I could have a free 180 gallon..... Wives are a pain in the ass sometimes...lol

 

She would measure it. She has slight OCD. I here ya on the length. A friend of mine has a 6 foot 180 gallon he said I could have for free if she would let me get that. Honestly what could she do to me if I bring that home and set it up while she's at work??? lol

 

uh dude i will trade you my 120 for that free 180 hahaha, even stevens!!! lol wanna make a trip to pittsburgh lol

 

If it keeps the wife off your back I would get the 90, honestly I would do the 120 if the length was the same just to get more water volume for a more stable tank ;D