Is it just me or?

[AquaAlex1993]

While I was out looking at the local fish store for a 6' tank I've noticed that a lot of the tanks look smaller than they were about 10 years ago or so. The Aqueon 125, 150, and 180 look a bit smaller than they used too. Not too much smaller but I can remember them being a bit longer and wider. Maybe it's because the tanks are empty? One thing is for sure their 75 gallons and 90 gallons have got smaller. I'm not complaining too much though Aqueon has great tanks and all 4' and 6' aquariums have a life time warranty so should anything happen you get a new one and new one etc.
How come a 120 gallon (4') is more expensive that a 125 gallon? Is it a special design or something? I noticed it had very thick glass which would mean it is probably a saltwater reef system tank or that is what it was designed for.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

I'm pretty sure the dimensions of all of the standard sizes are the same that they have been for decades.

I'm thinking that maybe you are remembering seeing them when you were younger, and smaller, and because of that they seemed bigger to you then than they do now. I remember seeing my first 55 gallon tank in my neighbors basement when I was quite young and I thought it was a several hundred gallon tank. Now, I look at a 55 and think, maybe I can put a betta in it. Lol, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but I'm sure you get my point.

 

[BIG-G]

Yeah I believe the tanks are the same. If they tried to trick you its a simple thing of pulling out a measuring tape, I dont think thats whats going on.
And as far as 120 being more than 125. It probably has something to do with the glass itself. The manufacturer may have more waste glass in a 120 than a 125 or something of that nature.

 

[AquaAlex1993]

I'm pretty sure the dimensions of all of the standard sizes are the same that they have been for decades.

I'm thinking that maybe you are remembering seeing them when you were younger, and smaller, and because of that they seemed bigger to you then than they do now. I remember seeing my first 55 gallon tank in my neighbors basement when I was quite young and I thought it was a several hundred gallon tank. Now, I look at a 55 and think, maybe I can put a betta in it. Lol, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but I'm sure you get my point.

Yea it is probably that, a nostalgic moment lol. But hey a 6' tank is still big to me probably the only size my house would allow, my house is old. It was built in 1965.

Yeah I believe the tanks are the same. If they tried to trick you its a simple thing of pulling out a measuring tape, I dont think thats whats going on.
And as far as 120 being more than 125. It probably has something to do with the glass itself. The manufacturer may have more waste glass in a 120 than a 125 or something of that nature.

That is true, I love 6' aquariums. Just wish they weren't so expensive, I'm getting one August 1.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Yea it is probably that, a nostalgic moment lol. But hey a 6' tank is still big to me probably the only size my house would allow, my house is old. It was built in 1965.

That is true, I love 6' aquariums. Just wish they weren't so expensive, I'm getting one August 1.

As long as you keep your tank near the exterior walls where more reinforcement is you should be fine, I have a 5' tank on the third floor of my house which was built in the late 1800's.
I would also wait to find one on craigslist instead of shelling out twice as much to an LFS. I got my 125 with stand, lights, canopys, and an FX5 for 400$ total. Buying new is a novelty that you pay extra for.

 

[Drstrangelove]

While I was out looking at the local fish store for a 6' tank I've noticed that a lot of the tanks look smaller than they were about 10 years ago or so. The Aqueon 125, 150, and 180 look a bit smaller than they used too. Not too much smaller but I can remember them being a bit longer and wider. Maybe it's because the tanks are empty? One thing is for sure their 75 gallons and 90 gallons have got smaller.

Witness rates are notoriously poor. http://www.visualexpert.com/Resources/mistakenid.html

And people routinely modify their own memories to fit what they want them to be. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/am-i-right/201307/your-memory-isnt-what-you-think-it-is

And of course, based upon your profile, you were 13, and not 23. I perceive many things from the age of 13 and before as being smaller. If you are claiming that 75 and 90 gallon tanks are significantly smaller before than I think you would want to measure the tanks and validate it before using an eyeball test and memory.

How come a 120 gallon (4') is more expensive that a 125 gallon? Is it a special design or something? I noticed it had very thick glass which would mean it is probably a saltwater reef system tank or that is what it was designed for.

When you buy a tank you are paying for 5 things:

1) glass
2) labor
3) machinery
4) miscellaneous items like freight, marketing, accounting, silicone, management, etc.
5) tax and profit for the manufacturer and in this case the store

Many of these costs are allocated. No one makes one tank at a time and figures out the cost. No one calculates exactly how much of #4 goes in each tank, and few people calculate the cost of #1, #2 or #3 except in a broad measure because of waste, labor inefficiency, etc.

The cost of glass is based upon raw materials and machinery (including tools and dies.) Thicker glass uses more raw materials and often tools and dies that are more costly. Since you have not told us the thickness of the 120 and 125, we can't really know if that's a factor.

Also stores can charge what they want. People buy or don't buy. The same shirt that has a price of $20 in one store may have a price of $30 in another. Price is not the same as cost.

If you want to know ask the store what the tank cost them from the manufacturer and why they are charging the amount they charge. Then call the manufacturer and ask the same thing.

 

[David R]

I'm thinking that maybe you are remembering seeing them when you were younger, and smaller, and because of that they seemed bigger to you then than they do now.

My first tank was 24x12x12", a friend had a 36x15x15" tank and it seemed massive, I was pretty damn jealous. And the 6x2x2' display at the LFS was enormous!

And now my sump is bigger than all of them combined....

 

[AquaAlex1993]

Witness rates are notoriously poor. http://www.visualexpert.com/Resources/mistakenid.html

And people routinely modify their own memories to fit what they want them to be. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/am-i-right/201307/your-memory-isnt-what-you-think-it-is

And of course, based upon your profile, you were 13, and not 23. I perceive many things from the age of 13 and before as being smaller. If you are claiming that 75 and 90 gallon tanks are significantly smaller before than I think you would want to measure the tanks and validate it before using an eyeball test and memory.



When you buy a tank you are paying for 5 things:

1) glass
2) labor
3) machinery
4) miscellaneous items like freight, marketing, accounting, silicone, management, etc.
5) tax and profit for the manufacturer and in this case the store

Many of these costs are allocated. No one makes one tank at a time and figures out the cost. No one calculates exactly how much of #4 goes in each tank, and few people calculate the cost of #1, #2 or #3 except in a broad measure because of waste, labor inefficiency, etc.

The cost of glass is based upon raw materials and machinery (including tools and dies.) Thicker glass uses more raw materials and often tools and dies that are more costly. Since you have not told us the thickness of the 120 and 125, we can't really know if that's a factor.

Also stores can charge what they want. People buy or don't buy. The same shirt that has a price of $20 in one store may have a price of $30 in another. Price is not the same as cost.

If you want to know ask the store what the tank cost them from the manufacturer and why they are charging the amount they charge. Then call the manufacturer and ask the same thing.

Very good information! I read the links you sent. Thanks. It was a lot of info to take in but certainly useable info.

 

[AquaAlex1993]

Quick question since we are talking about fish tanks.
This is ''claimed'' to be a 150 gallon aquarium. I think it's 125. I am not complaining because If I get this tank I am getting a deal, only thing is it will be about an hour drive for me so I am going to see if I can find out local.
Do you guys think this is a 150 or a 125?

 

[BIG-G]

Length X width X height in inches divided by 231 will give you approximate gallons.