Anyone Regret Going with a Bigger Reef Tank?

[Clive Bixby]

I am embarking on my next tank build after being out of the hobby for a while and am debating between a 90 gallon (30 x 30 x 24), 150 gallon (48 x 30 x 24), or 225 gallon tank (72 x 30 x 24). Before everyone says ‘go big, or go home,’ I wanted to ask if anyone has regretted getting a large tank. If so, I would love to hear your thoughts or stories, so I don’t jump in blindly.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Topekoms]

I am embarking on my next tank build after being out of the hobby for a while and am debating between a 90 gallon (30 x 30 x 24), 150 gallon (48 x 30 x 24), or 225 gallon tank (72 x 30 x 24). Before everyone says ‘go big, or go home,’ I wanted to ask if anyone has regretted getting a large tank. If so, I would love to hear your thoughts or stories, so I don’t jump in blindly.

Thanks in advance!

No but I would go 180 72*24*24

 

[Labridaedicted]

Nope. Went smaller for a while and regretted that. Other than expense and increased maintainance time, there are few drawbacks to larger systems if you have the space.

 

[CarrieB]

This probably isn't what you are looking for, since it seems that you have settled on the 30 inch height.

I had a 150 for 4 or 5 months. When it cracked, I replaced it with a 120 that I like better. I probably wouldn't have complained about the 30 inch height while I had it, but even with 24 inches, there are places in the new tank I can't reach. I think I would have gotten very frustrated with the old one.

 

[Labridaedicted]

This probably isn't what you are looking for, since it seems that you have settled on the 30 inch height.

I had a 150 for 4 or 5 months. When it cracked, I replaced it with a 120 that I like better. I probably wouldn't have complained about the 30 inch height while I had it, but even with 24 inches, there are places in the new tank I can't reach. I think I would have gotten very frustrated with the old one.

Didn't think about the 30 inch height there, either. I was rolling back and forth on the new system between a 220 and a 180 and went 180 because the the 180 was shorter. A 24" tank like a 180 is easier to work in than a 30 inch tall tank. At 30 inches, you also start to have issues with light penatration at the bottom.

 

[Clive Bixby]

This probably isn't what you are looking for, since it seems that you have settled on the 30 inch height.

I had a 150 for 4 or 5 months. When it cracked, I replaced it with a 120 that I like better. I probably wouldn't have complained about the 30 inch height while I had it, but even with 24 inches, there are places in the new tank I can't reach. I think I would have gotten very frustrated with the old one.

Thanks for the quick response and I should have better labeled my note. I am set on 30" deep (front to back). I am tall but agree that 24" inches is as high as I want to go. Also, sorry to hear your 150 cracked - especially so quickly. What happened?

 

[VelocityTech]

I went with a 180, over a 220 for 1 reason. Height. I wanted to build a custom t5 fixture.. and they don't work so well over 24". A 220 and a 180 is almost the exact same size except for it being 24"(180) tall rather than 30" tall (220).


Good luck!

 

[Lonely reefer's]

I never regret.I owned 29g in the passed 4 years and never get water to stable loosing a lot of corals(sps & lps) every 3-4months ,since I goes bigger tank(79g)I'm soo glade that I make the moved

 

[Jisko]

REGRET GOING BIGGER?!?!?! psh I won't stop upgrading till I can swim in my tank... nothing like coming home from work and jumping in your fish tank to chill with your fish haha

 

[Sm51498]

I wouldn't say I regret it but I have gotten to a place in my hobby where I prefer nanos of 20 gallons or less. I have always concentrated on corals and small tanks just allow so much more ease of maintenance and the ability to do massive water changes easier if need be. I just prefer it.

 

[CarrieB]

Thanks for the quick response and I should have better labeled my note. I am set on 30" deep (front to back). I am tall but agree that 24" inches is as high as I want to go. Also, sorry to hear your 150 cracked - especially so quickly. What happened?

My best guess after the fact was torque on the tank. I didn't think about shimming the tank (it wasn't obviously off). Of course, the kiss of death was a two week trip to England. It cracked halfway through the trip.

 

[Clive Bixby]

Thanks all for your thoughts - pretty consistent feedback. Perhaps my biggest concern is that this hobby is prone to crashes - from experienced to beginner. I think it would be easier to reboot from a small tank crash versus a large tank crash. I also know that any hobby has its ebbs and flows of interest. If life gets busy, would I prefer to neglect a large tank or small tank.

 

[CarrieB]

Thanks for the quick response and I should have better labeled my note. I am set on 30" deep (front to back). I am tall but agree that 24" inches is as high as I want to go.

30" front to back sounds lovely, but physically, it's the same distance to the bottom back as a 30" high x 24" deep tank. I would recommend that you make sure you can get behind the tank and can reach over the back to get to the back half of the tank.

 

[Jisko]

30" front to back sounds lovely, but physically, it's the same distance to the bottom back as a 30" high x 24" deep tank. I would recommend that you make sure you can get behind the tank and can reach over the back to get to the back half of the tank.

yeah that does sound pretty large... I have trouble with my little arms reaching to the bottom of my 29g tank let alone a tank of that size... My tank is really high up though the stand is over 3 feet :\

 

[Maddlesrain]

I wouldn't say I regret it, but that I can't handle such a big tank right now, and am currently downsizing due to this. It really comes down to how much time and money you want to put into your system I'd say. I don't have time for my 180 gallon as of now because I left for college and it looks absolutely awful. The fish have never been fatter, but seeing as I'm only home to clean/manage it every week or so, algae has taken over and it is an aesthetic eyesore. Haha

I would vote neglecting a smaller tank would be easier to come back from, as trying to clean out 180 gallons worth of algae is a nightmare! Lol

I also agree with a previous mentioning of smaller tanks being easier to do water changes / maintenance on because of the compact size you're working with.

No matter what you end up with, congrats on the new tank!

 

[Elder1945 Verified Sponsor]

Yes... A 16' long reef tank seems like a good idea till you own one

 

[RyanCSGO]

my tank split and had to be torn down. figured I would just get a little bio cube for the time being and once I moved I would get a larger tank again. Yet here I am pulling the trigger on a large tank now because the bio cube just doesn't satisfy me lol.

 

[Clive Bixby]

my tank split and had to be torn down. figured I would just get a little bio cube for the time being and once I moved I would get a larger tank again. Yet here I am pulling the trigger on a large tank now because the bio cube just doesn't satisfy me lol.

Here's another reason I'm a little skittish on big tanks - in case of a complete seem failure. Wife would not be happy - and neither would I. Was the tank split a trickle or complete deluge?

 

[Clive Bixby]

Yes... A 16' long reef tank seems like a good idea till you own one

Hilarious !!!

 

[RyanCSGO]

Here's another reason I'm a little skittish on big tanks - in case of a complete seem failure. Wife would not be happy - and neither would I. Was the tank split a trickle or complete deluge?

In all honesty, it was my fault. It was a really cheap tank that I should have never trusted to begin with. 3/8 glass 24 x 24 x 24 tank. I was just too eager (cheap) and impatient LOL. The silicone about half way up in one corner was giving way. the day that I decided to really repair it started to leak pretty good. since the tank was thin glass anyway i just decided it was better to tear it down and move on. this time around buying a tank with at least 12mm thick glass from a really solid company. I wouldn't worry about a tank failing as long a you buy quality stuff from a reputable place.