How long in a 120?

[Fish Tank Travis]

Ok, I am going to comment on this thread even though I haven’t read the entire thing. Basically, I read the last 4-5 comments and then scrolled back to the first comment.

So, first, to tackle the how long question. I have an endli in my 120 and I’ve had it just about 13 months. I got it at about 3” long and now it’s 11-12” long. I feed Massivore pellets about every three days and this guy gets several of them per feeding, plus some extra frozen tilapia/shrimp/scallops/etc. I would say that if you went with a standard 125, which is 6x1.5x1.5ft, you could probably keep an endli in it for several years, or possibly, for life based on the comments on here stating that captive endlis only make it to about 17-18” in home aquariums.

Based on this, I suggest you check your area for a used 125 or 150 since they seem pretty common, and go for that over a 120 that is 4x2x2.

As far as a sump goes, all I can say is YES!!! Lol. You don’t need baffles, if you don’t want them, which makes a sumo that much easier.

As far as drilling glass vs acrylic, I can tell you that I drilled five holes in my 220 and I would never hesitate to drill another glass tank. I have no experience drilling acrylic, but I’ve heard it’s pretty easy.

 

[jaws7777]

From what i understand cutting a hole in a glass tank isnt hard. Check the filtration section for details

 

[jaws7777]

Ok, I am going to comment on this thread even though I haven’t read the entire thing. Basically, I read the last 4-5 comments and then scrolled back to the first comment.

So, first, to tackle the how long question. I have an endli in my 120 and I’ve had it just about 13 months. I got it at about 3” long and now it’s 11-12” long. I feed Massivore pellets about every three days and this guy gets several of them per feeding, plus some extra frozen tilapia/shrimp/scallops/etc. I would say that if you went with a standard 125, which is 6x1.5x1.5ft, you could probably keep an endli in it for several years, or possibly, for life based on the comments on here stating that captive endlis only make it to about 17-18” in home aquariums.

Based on this, I suggest you check your area for a used 125 or 150 since they seem pretty common, and go for that over a 120 that is 4x2x2.

As far as a sump goes, all I can say is YES!!! Lol. You don’t need baffles, if you don’t want them, which makes a sumo that much easier.

As far as drilling glass vs acrylic, I can tell you that I drilled five holes in my 220 and I would never hesitate to drill another glass tank. I have no experience drilling acrylic, but I’ve heard it’s pretty easy.

What was that trick with the laptop to tell if the glass is tempered or plate ?

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

You can do it with a laptop screen, phone screen, flat screen tv, etc. Basically, you put the screen on one side of the glass and put a polarized lense on the other. If you can rotate the polarized lense and the screen goes completely black through it, then it’s not tempered. If you see spots or lines where the light comes through andspots or lines where it does not, at the same time, then it is tempered.

 

[twentyleagues]

I spent a week drilling 50 40bs for an lfs I was helping a friend put together. I broke 1. Its not that hard.

 

[magpie]

You guys are the best. Feeling better about it all.

I was setting up a 30 gallon once and my stand bent after I filled it with water and sand (was mine, not used for many years and likely bent when we moved it). It smashed and went all over my hardwood floors. It was only 30 gallons but it was a nightmare. Broken/leaky tanks make me nervous, hence drilling tanks make me nervous.

Good to know also that used acrylic are more trustworthy.

twentyleagues - how big is your sump for the 180? The plastic tote idea is cool because it's cheap, but I'd prefer to go with a tank or something like that with hard walls.

 

[magpie]

Ok, I am going to comment on this thread even though I haven’t read the entire thing. Basically, I read the last 4-5 comments and then scrolled back to the first comment.

So, first, to tackle the how long question. I have an endli in my 120 and I’ve had it just about 13 months. I got it at about 3” long and now it’s 11-12” long. I feed Massivore pellets about every three days and this guy gets several of them per feeding, plus some extra frozen tilapia/shrimp/scallops/etc. I would say that if you went with a standard 125, which is 6x1.5x1.5ft, you could probably keep an endli in it for several years, or possibly, for life based on the comments on here stating that captive endlis only make it to about 17-18” in home aquariums.

Based on this, I suggest you check your area for a used 125 or 150 since they seem pretty common, and go for that over a 120 that is 4x2x2.

As far as a sump goes, all I can say is YES!!! Lol. You don’t need baffles, if you don’t want them, which makes a sumo that much easier.

As far as drilling glass vs acrylic, I can tell you that I drilled five holes in my 220 and I would never hesitate to drill another glass tank. I have no experience drilling acrylic, but I’ve heard it’s pretty easy.

I'd LOVE to find a 5x2x2 150 in good shape. I feel like 125 is the most common size I see used for 100+ gallons, but I really prefer the 2 foot width for the LJ polys.

 

[jaws7777]

Definitely the 2 ft width. It makes a huge difference. I had a 150 and the length does very little for polys. Much better off with the width

 

[twentyleagues]

You guys are the best. Feeling better about it all.

I was setting up a 30 gallon once and my stand bent after I filled it with water and sand (was mine, not used for many years and likely bent when we moved it). It smashed and went all over my hardwood floors. It was only 30 gallons but it was a nightmare. Broken/leaky tanks make me nervous, hence drilling tanks make me nervous.

Good to know also that used acrylic are more trustworthy.

twentyleagues - how big is your sump for the 180? The plastic tote idea is cool because it's cheap, but I'd prefer to go with a tank or something like that with hard walls.

55g

There she is! Lol

 

[clm08k]

I'm getting the itch for a larger tank and polys again, now that I'm getting feedback on how I can re-use my tank water during WCs.

I eventually want a 180, but 120s are so much easier to come by and are more in the budget right now, so it's tempting for me to start there and budget/plan for the 180, sump, etc in the meantime. How long would say 3 LJs be OK in a 120 (4x2x2) if I got them at a smaller size to grow out?

I'd also probably be looking to get some Polleni to grow out. I don't like to cram fish in small tanks but I feel like this would be a way to get a larger tank sooner and scratch the itch.

If it's not very long I'll just wait longer and get the 180.

Also, has anyone here gotten a used 120/150/180 and trusted it for fish? It is so much more budget friendly to get a used tank but it also makes me nervous to have a larger tank possibly leak.

Thanks!

I am so excited for you! Thank you for posting! This thread has also been super informative about not only buying a 125, but also poly stats over time. I’m also upgrading this year (finally).

Originally I was thinking 90. then 125 for the past 6 months, but now I’m like 180 (because of the 6 foot length and 2 foot width). ? Glad everyone is chimming in. I’m very excited for you to have lower jaws! May they all be super green

I know I won't want the 120 long term - I would prefer a longer tank... so is it still a size that it'd be worth doing a sump for?

I'm really interested in sumps but they also indimidate me - the DIY nature and don't you have to drill glass? Where's my Sumps For Dummies J jaws7777 and twentyleagues ?

This!

This entire thread is brilliant.
Psssstttt background tutorial lol