75 or 90 gal?

[BobCReef]

thinking about replacing my 55gal with a 75 or 90 gal tank. trying to get a wider tank but because it sits in my kitchen can't go wider than the 18" of the 75 or 90. does anybody have an preference? was going to have it drilled at the top rear of the tank to plumb for the sump. should i also drill a second hole for the return line. what size should these be.
i will be using 4- 48" vho bulbs with icecap ballast for lighting. will the extra 4" in tank depth matter?

 

[LA-Lawman]

the depth wouldn't hurt but the height of the 90g might. clink on my link and you can see my 90g AGA reef ready.

I would go with the 90g. it is a really nice tank. the 75 gall is nice too.


hth

 

[31-2c]

since the footprint on those 2 tanks are the same, the only consideration would be cost. Keep in mind that becuase the 90 is deeper, you may need higher intensity lights.

If you use MH lights, the 175w would be fine on a 75, but you would need the 250w on the 90.

Just my opinion

David

 

[LA-Lawman]

wellll,

you can use a 175w MH on the 90g, I do.... I also have a 4-5 sand bed.....
I also use PCs to supplement...

250's are nice. iwll probably upgrade if i keep acros.

 

[catweh00]

If you are using vho, I would go for the 75gallon. I have a 75 gallon and a 90 gallon, both with 4inch sandbeds, and I prefer the look of the 75 with PCs, because it is cheaper than the metalhalides for my 90. You can find PC fixtures really cheap on forums sometimes, thats what I did.

 

[Anonymous]

fwiw:

the lighting issue depends mainly on what you want to keep

given that they're the same footprint, i'd recommend you go w/the 90- you gain extra volume, and more room for aquascaping/livestock/stability




(if you can't go w/stronger lights, to compensate for the extra height, you can always place livestock abit higher up on the reef structure :wink: )

 

[BobCReef]

I was thinking the 90 also but wasn't sure with the vho lights. Plan on LPS corals prodominatley but would also like to eventually get a clam or 2. Do you think the VHO's will work for this. I could put the higher light level corals towards the top as suggested.
How about the holes at the top. one or two and what size?
Thanks for the suggestions so far

 

[LFS42]

I personaly feel that VHO's are not sufficient for clams.
But I would go with the 90.
I always kick myself for not getting the bigger tanks.

 

[Anonymous]

if you want to keep clams in the lower reaches of a 90 gal. tank- i'd suggest a minimum of 2x250watt halides