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Should I upgrade now?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by dead fish, Jun 26, 2012.

  1. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Hi all, 
    Wel, for those of you who have been following my "Fishes I LIke" thread, you may have noticed that I made a list of fish I like and a lot of them were predatory or non-reef safe. I just upgraded from a 29 gal. Biocube to a 75 gal. As I've learned more over the past few weeks, I'm discovering my tastes are different than they were for my BC. I just got a clown trigger (very small, like 2 inches) and have him in with my current stock (occ. clown, firefish, sixline, bangai cardinal) and some soft and some stony coral.
    I've enjoyed the reefing aspect of my tank and would like to keep some coral, but I also want to be able to get the fish I like, so I'm wondering if I should go for a bigger tank now, sell off some of the coral and live stock I know will eventually be eaten, and make the transition or if I should wait. I just made a 4 foot stand and canopy, so I'd like to keep those and I know I've seen some 125-ish tanks that are still 48". 
    I'm open to discussion here. I don't want to put good money after bad and if I were to upgrade I'd like it to be through trade or used since there are still some things I need for the tank.
    Thanks!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 26, 2015
  2. areefoffaith

    areefoffaith Inactive User

    606
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    i personally have 2 systems one of them is a bit more aggressive the other is mostly calm quiet smaller types of fish with corals that the other system would likely devour
     
  3. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    I'd like to be there eventually, but I really only have the $$ to build up one system right now. I'm at a crossroads.
     
  4. MXC207 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
    Cedar Rapids
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    If you want a brand new 125 for cheap Bill at the Fish Shack has them on sale still, I just got off the phone with him and I think he can only get the sale price a few more days on the 125s right now. I'd call him today if you can and ask him what his price is on the 125 RR. I know its dirttt cheap. Better call! 563-927-5581
     
  5. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    You wont be able to use your new stand. Unless you upgrade to a 90 then you can because it has the same height and width as a 75 just a little taller but otherwise it simply will be too small.
    For the type of fish you are wanting to keep you are also going to want nothing short of a 6 ft tank. Those fish get rather large and are open water swimmers, one swoosh of the tail and they will be smacking their heads against the glass. If it was me and  planning on keeping all those fish I would be looking at a 180, this size will give you both 6ft length and a 48 inch front to back.
     
  6. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    That's either a really shallow 180 or you messed up some numbers LOL.
    180 is 6' long and 24" wide (front to back) typically. Really nice size if you've got the room and the funds for a larger tank.
     
  7. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Derp sorry yeah I ment 24 front to back lol.
     and yeah it would not be cheap but I was simply taking in to consideration the type of fish he would be keeping long term. I simply do not feel any 4ft tank would be enough room and while a 125 is 6ft the 18 in front to back would be limiting.
     
  8. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    Agree 100% especially if you start packing a ton of rock into the 125. That extra 6" width makes a world of difference. If you're gonna go big, go as big as you possibly can.
     
  9. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I personally think you should also stick with what you are going to be able to feasibly take care of financially and time wise.
    The bigger the tank and fish the more water,food, additives and electric bill all goes along with that. It all adds up and rather quickly so keep that in mind. If say a 90 or 120 is pretty much the most you feel you can manage then IMO do that but keep your livestock to a size and amount that can live in that environment comfortably when fully grown and not just when they are small.
     
  10. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    I feel like I could do a 120 or slightly more right now. Money and time aren't a huge issue, I just can't afford to build two tanks at once. 
    I thought I'd be good with a 75, but now I'm nervous and wonder should I put time, effort and money into a 75 when I know I really want a 120 or so. 
    I have seen 120s listed as 48". Don't know if that's a standard size, but I've seen it.
     
  11. bearsareawsome Well-Known ReefKeeper

    969
    Norwalk, IA
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    I started with a 112 gallon reef and i just got burnt out on how much money it was to fill it with coral plus i love the personality of the different fish and how they are mor active. I decied to sell the 112 and got a biocube 29 with LED's that i have as a reef and i am setting up my 240 gallon agrresive FOWLR tank this weekend. I seen matts tank here in DSM and it is awesome and so fun to watch all the fish just swimming around. I think you would be happy with a FOWLR.
     
  12. MXC207 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    634
    Cedar Rapids
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    120 is usually a 4x2x2 tank. 125 is the same size as a 75 just 6'. so add another 2 feet length to your tank. As I said, If you want to go that route though, I highly recommend calling Bill tomorrow to see if you can still get in on a 125RR while its still on sale. Save you a couple hundred dollars that could go into the tank. Or if you want to go bigger, like a 180, like I am, wait until the 1st to see if there's a sale on those for the month of July.
     
  13. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Thanks, I'll definitely keep that in mind. I guess I'm also hoping there'll be someone out there who wants to sell one used or trade for the 75.
     
  14. bearsareawsome Well-Known ReefKeeper

    969
    Norwalk, IA
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Check out cragis list. I bought my 240 from a guy in omaha and got the tank (only 1 1/2 years old), blue line 70 return pump, 3 power heads, sand, and all the plumbing delievered for 1/4 of the price for just the tank if i bought it new. There is some deals out there you just gotta talk with people.
     
  15. mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    the 120 is 4ft but it is also 2ft front to back where your 75 is 18 inchs. thats why your stand wont work.
     
  16. dead fish Dead Fish

    832
    Iowa City
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Gotcha
     
  17. JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    Just for the record, I would never buy a 125 again as 18" is not enough space for aquascaping and internal overflows make the problem even worse.

    I'd go 180 instead and make sure you have corner overflows.

     

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