Are you always planning your next reef tank?

[Paulie069]

I started with a 2.5gal tank then a 5gal then moved to a 10gal until I got a 20 then another 20
Last January I plugged in my first real setup a 55gal, by May I got a 65gal tank well now I’m in process of getting a 180gal tank for a big build in my heated garage then cut huge hole in wife’s Formal living room wall and push it into the room 3inches and framing around it with a old rope from a ship I found
Should be done by late spring early summer,, I’m in no rush as I’m at point I can just enjoy my 65gal setup

 

[92Miata]

No.


Constantly planning for the next reef generally means the current one never actually matures and gets into a good groove.


Eventually we'll buy a bigger one. But not worth worrying about now.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I've been in the hobby for 20 years. I went from a 30g to a 75g, then added a 35g hex, Then went from those two to a 180g, then added a 75g hex, Then set up a 100g shallow local reef, then downsized from the 180g & 75g to a 120g, Then sold the 100g shallow reef, then downsized to a 40g tank. I was happy there, but the tank got full and I retired so I had the time. Now I have a DIY custom 90g (36" x 30" x 20") and this will be my last tank.

 

[Billldg]

I used to think of it, but now I am in the process of upgrading.

And after this upgrade I can't afford another one, LOL!!! ;Hilarious

Unless I finish my basement.

 

[The_Skrimp]

My current tank is only 7 months old. I’m at that stage right now where all of the necessary stuff is out of the way and I’m just thinking of neat gadgets and science experiments to make my life easier now.

I think my next project is going to be building a phyto/pod grow tank/jar to feed back into my aquarium.

 

[UkiahTheTurtle]

i love my tank a lot but I do dream of getting a bigger tank but I don't want to upgrade mine.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

I love my tank, but I would also love a larger tank that I could fit more corals in and so they could grow bigger. I think my ideal would be 60 long, 30-36 deep and 24 tall.

 

[WVNed]

Yes I am always thinking of what's next. It would be replacing the 75 with a 6x2x2 tank made by Custom Aquariums that matches my 240.

But there is a little too much uncertainty right now in my life.

 

[Reef Box]

My next major upgrade will be a minimum of 600gal in our forever retirement house. Ours is currently built into the wall and we are very happy with it. Retirement will be another story!

 

[Bubbles!]

1. Do you often think about upgrading your saltwater reef aquarium?
It's not so much upgrading as it is whole new tanks The tanks I have I am happy with and wouldn't change. However I think of designs for new tanks almost daily.

2. What does your next upgrade look like in a few words? What's different? What's better?
If I were to start a new tank, I'd like to focus on a particular genus or species of coral and just grow out some massive colonies. I think that would be pretty dang cool.

 

[Nick Steele]

Constantly thinking about upgrades!!! The dream tank is a 8’ mixed reef and is 5-10 years away but I’m sure there will be upgrades along the way.

currently have a
15g pea puffer tank
55g planted community
20g reef

Have thought about Getting rid of the 55g and making it a 3-4’ reef with a sump. But that is costly and I’m just not ready although I have priced it out and ran it by the wife so it will happen one day.

 

[Marc Hagan]

Yes I wish I could upgrade my tank to a 150+ gallon tank

my next tank I would take my time and build the Aqua scape first and the put the substrate in and actually have a sump instead of an other fish tank as a sump

 

[Flippers4pups]

I've had numerous tanks over the years, but i don't foresee any new tank anytime soon. I do from time to time evaluate my current system and see areas for improvement. This is apart of the core of reef keeping, improvement. But Slowly.....one thing at a time.

This does not mean "Hands in the Tank syndrome".

What's that mean? Constantly messing with the core basics of a reef tank and its stability. This includes any aspect of the following:

Lights - light intensity and or spectrum "Up and down", Changing light fixtures and programs due to perceptions or hunches.

Water parameters - constantly adjusting and dosing to chase a number. Changing salt mixes to frequently in hopes it will help

Rearranging rock work or coral placement, being never satisfied.

Adding equipment and removing equipment frequently.

Adding anything wet too fast or without quarantine.

Etc........ and there's plenty of "etc"!

Once again, nothing good happens fast in this hobby and planning is another core key in the hobby.

If a new tank is something that your going to do in the near future, plan everything well in advance. I know this all too well as my current system was well planned out and took me a year to build before it got wet. Taking the time to do this made everything come together much easier and i've been very happy with the overall execution and operation.

 

[Paul B]

Nope, this is good for me and will be my last tank.

 

[JasonK84]

I am always thinking of new or different improvements to what I have. Also, infrastructure and life support. My first upgrade coming this week is a new RO/DI unit with a better product water to reject ratio. I’m replacing an RO Buddie with the Puratek Deluxe. I’ve also got a new circulation pump with magnet mount ordered for my FOWLR tank because I’m tired of the suction cup letting go.
Then around Christmas it’s whole home generator time.

 

[Mical]

I'm pretty content with my 2 tanks. They're well established and growing. Maybe in the future a fish only, but only when Covid things settle down a bit and fish & shipping issues have stabilized. Most places are out of species I'd entertain to own and I wouldn't want them sitting in a FedEx or UPS truck or depot for anything longer than an overnight.

 

[Wayne P.]

Absolutely, until I get the one I want. Started with a 13.5 and am now in a 28 g nanocube. Planning on a multihundred gallon tank for my last tank. Of course I will constantly improve it and automate it once I get it installed. Still looking at systems and can not decide on what I want. There are so many out there. IM seems to have some nice tanks. I like Red Sea and Waterbox but in the size I want, Geez...

 

[MightyMO]

So I have done alot of upgrading in the past year, it has just been on the filtration side mainly. I am now in a position to do a larger display which I will get eventually, my dream tank would be a waterbox 220 gallon. But I am looking at upgrading automation on my current set up as well... So, thinking you all need to pull my ticket out of the apex bundle bucket for partner drive raffle, because I need that set up in a bad way!!! Lol

 

[CPC Reefer]

I will don't think I would ever upgrade my tank unless something happens to the one I have. Its a 72" x36" x36". 350 GalIon. If I had it to do all over again I would have made it only 30" tall as it is a real pain to do anything near the bottom of the tank. At the time of my build back in March, I was all about volume. The 50 gal or so was to much to comprimise. Wish I could re-think but its been up and running since April. Now I just want some automation.

 

[Paulie069]

I've been in the hobby for 20 years. I went from a 30g to a 75g, then added a 35g hex, Then went from those two to a 180g, then added a 75g hex, Then set up a 100g shallow local reef, then downsized from the 180g & 75g to a 120g, Then sold the 100g shallow reef, then downsized to a 40g tank. I was happy there, but the tank got full and I retired so I had the time. Now I have a DIY custom 90g (36" x 30" x 20") and this will be my last tank.

Boy that was tough to follow changed tanks more than I change underwear lol