120 vs 125 gallon?

[Plec123]

I'm looking to upgrade my SA cichlid/pleco tank from 75 to either 120 or 125 in the near future, but have run into a dilemma. I have a few plecos, catfish, etc that hang on the bottom and would appreciate a tank that is 24" front to back, but i would really like a 72" long aquarium so i could house a couple more cichlids and maybe a flagtail without territory issues.

What do you all think?

I would love to just get a 180 and forget this problem but I'm renting an apartment and dont want to go all-out before i buy a house.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

I would go with the 125 a 120 isn’t large enough for cichlids to sort out different territories. The size difference between a 120 and a 75 is almost negligible when it comes to cichlids the upside of a 120 over a 75 is water volume so it’s easier to keep stable. I would go with the 125. I probably wouldn’t keep a flag tail in either but a 72” tank is better if you really want one.

 

[aussieman57]

Agree 125 if 180 is not an option.

 

[Rocksor]

save more money and go to a 180g rather than a 125g for a flag tail.

 

[A201]

Petsmart used to sell a Marineland-Top Fin, 60", 120 long.
I bought one in 2016 on a black Friday sale.
I liked the 120 long over the 125 due to its wider boxy shape, allowing space for a more substantial hardscape.
I'd really like a 180, Lol, not enough room.

 

[Plec123]

Petsmart used to sell a Marineland-Top Fin, 60", 120 long.
I bought one in 2016 on a black Friday sale.
I liked the 120 long over the 125 due to its wider boxy shape, allowing space for a more substantial hardscape.
I'd really like a 180, Lol, not enough room.

I cant find anything like that 12 sadly. 60x24 sounds perfect but theyre just not around unless i wanna pay an arm and a leg for some high end reef tank.

180 would be amazing for my plecos but i reeeally dont think thats a good idea in a place where i probably wont live more than a couple years. I just hope my luteus grows fairly slowly so he isnt too cramped in a 125 after that time.

 

[Belly_up]

Do you have any local fish stores that build aquariums near by? I had my 135 built for less than I could buy a manufactured one. The builder was trying to push my to build a 150 gal 5x2x2 for less money than the 135 but I wanted at least a 6 foot tank

 

[PhishMon84]

i would also think a 125 would have less weight per square inch and sit over more floor joist.

8 & 9 are the square footage of the footprint so 120 would be 4X2=8 and 125 would 6*1.5=9

120/8=15
125/9=13.8

 

[Plec123]

I can look around for a custom builder. That might be the best option honestly. What i really want is 72"Lx24"Wx18"H, basically a 125 on its side. Perhaps thatll be the move if i can find a builder.

 

[PhishMon84]

FYI aqueon is sunsetting all their large format tanks, starting at 90’s