100 Gallon Or 120 Gallon Tank?

[Hunterprey]

Hey guys can use some advice. I've been trying to decide which one to get. I found a good deal for a 100 gallon tank n stand. 5ft by 18 inches it comes with a 300 watt heater n Rena XP3. Will i need another heater or filter to run it or would it be enough?

I was also looking at 120 gallon tank. 6ft by 18 inches. How many heaters n filters will I need for this one? Im running a 35gallon and 50gallon tank right now and Im thinking of getting rid of them n just run 1 tank. Will running just one 100/120 gallon tank instead will significantly increase my hydro bill or not much difference? I dont have live plants in my aquarium. Thnx in advance

 

[KittyKat]

To calculate your electricity bill, use the wattage of all your equipment, here is an example using some numbers I made up:

15W filter * on for 24 hours = 360 W
200W total of heaters * on for 8 hours = 1600 W (so this is the same, if you have 2* 100 W heaters or 1* 200 W heater)
50W lights * on for 10 hours = 500 W

Add up all your equipment: 360 + 1600 + 500 = 2460 W per day = 2.46 kWh per day, you are probably billed per kWh, so use your electricity price to calculate actual cost.

Yes, bigger tank is always better.

I use 1 W of heater per 1 litre, so for your tanks..:
* 100 US gallons -> 378 litres -> 400 W of heaters -> I would take 2* 200 W heaters, one at each end of the tank
* 120 US gallons -> 455 litres -> 500 W of heaters -> I would take 1* 200 W heater and 1* 300W heater, one at each end of the tank

I think it is always safer to use two heaters over one, once the tank is 4 ft or longer. Heaters break.. fact of life.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I don't think you would notice much change to your bill, as compared to the increased enjoyment of the tank...


You're increasing your total volume, which would enable you to keep more individuals. And you are increasing your length, which would enable you to keep larger individuals that you may have always dreamed of, but never been able to keep due to the "small" size of your tank.

 

[Hunterprey]

Thank you very much for the responses Eagles n kitty Kat. Im just inclined to buy the 100 gallon more cause I'll save at least $300, plus i can use that money for buying another filter which I think I'll need.

The fish that will house the 100 gallons are Silver Datnoid, Albino Senegal Bichir, Retropinnis Bichir, Blood Parrot Cichlid, BN pleco, RTBS, 2 synos n midnight catfish. Im thinking of getting a Delhezi or just a small schooling fish. I can upgrade to a taller 5ft 120 gallon tank later on if I have to, since the stand im getting have the same dimensions.

Thank you for the heater info. I would like to ask tho if having a 300W heater on 1 side and a 100W heater on the other will be alright as well? It comes with a 300W heater thats why and I have 100W heater. I can buy a 200W heater if i have to.

And will RENA XP3 alone be enough for the 100g tank or will I need another filter? I have Marineland Emperor 400 and Marineland Emperor 280 which I can run with it, or prolly just get another external filter to give them more swimming space. Thnx again

 

[KittyKat]

I'm sure it'll be fine with a 300 W and a 100 W heater.. after all, some people do get away with using only one even for a tank that size.

 

[holidayinn]

With territorial fish, its all about the footprint of the tank...length * width...height won't give them any 'extra' ground to cover..I'd go for the 6 footer, but $300 dollars between a 5 foot and 6 foot sounds like the 6 footer is not great value.

 

[Hunterprey]

Thnx for all the help. I finally got the 5ft tank instead. Its actually a 120gallon tank 5ft X 18in X 26in Im quite happy with it. It looks a lot bigger than what I thought once I had it running in my room.

Its quite heavier than I thought too, moving it with a friend to the basement Now I just have to figure out what new tankmates I can add to my tank. Thanks for all the help