Which tank should i get?

I have been waiting to find a good deal on a tank setup on craigslist and i have two possible hits. I need your help to decide which would be better.

75 gallon bow front with oak stand:
*includes a few fish (but i would rather choose my own)
*40 lbs live rock and 50 lbs live sand
*decorations
*grow light for plants
*75 Gallon filter system
*100 gallon protein skimmer
*2 gallons of salt
*food and all new filters
*power head, heater, and thermometer

90 Gallon reef setup:
*much larger tank (which is a plus)
*cheaper than the 75 gallon by 50 dollars
*drilled and plumbed with sump filtration system
*20 gallon sump
*65 gallon protein skimmer
*black pine stand and hood
*glass lids
*40lbs live sand (black)
*heater and pump in sump
*no fish (a plus for me)
*no live-rock
*no power-head or thermometer (but i can buy that for the 50 dollars price difference)
*No salt included

I really wanted a 90 gallon but I'm unsure about the sump. I do not know if that would be better or not as i am concerned with possible leaks. I do like that everything can be combined in the sump though but i am pretty new to the saltwater setup. Tell me what you think?

Also i am most interested in keeping a jewel puffer or a porcupine puffer and a Picasso trigger. Can these two types of fish be kept together? I have different fish books that all have different opinions so i am asking the people that actively keep fish tanks.

 

90, you'll love the sump. Might need to upgrade the skimmer.

 

Get the 90. Forget the live sand on the 75 because u wouldn't reuse it anyway. 40lbs of live rock is nice, but it's not worth a smaller tank.

I have a 72 bowfront, but I won't be doing another bowfront again. The bow shape makes lights tricky, you can get way more bang for your buck with a rectangular tank.

That's my $.02


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+1 to grant you wont be sorry even if there is a learning curve to get you dialed in and running smoothly. here are a few links to help you with the sump/refugium and skimmers:

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/protein-skimmers/all-about-skimmers-skimmers-skimmer-85389.html

 

Good advice from wisky tango to, by the way....





For those of you joining us that are new to the hobby - the best piece of advice you'll get around here as a saltwater newbie is 3Reef's slogan
"Go slow, let it grow."
And for those experianced hobbyists joining us - it's still good advice
good luck and post pics soon

 

Get the 90 I'm sure you will live it.

 

first of all welcome to 3reef!! and second of all i wish i was on here BEFORE i bought a tank so someone could tell me to get the 90!! haha that being said get the 90 there are so many more options for fish, corals, and overall a great size tank!! as far as the fish compatibility goes, when putting triggerfish and puffers together it should be done with caution (according to liveaquaria.com).

 

Get the 90. An aquarist always finds himself looking for an upgrade

 

90. I personally not a big fan of bowfronts(I have one myself) and also because the 90 is bigger because in a year you will want a bigger tank.

 

Welcome to 3reef!

Go with the 90. Worry about the sump and leaks is normal and we all went through it the first time we set one up. But in the end it's the best set up for a reef build imho.
I say the 90 because I promise if you become obsessed IT won't be big enough LOL