Bought a large tank and am having second thoughts

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

So I am working on a 40b build, ( I will start the build thread if I actually keep it ) standard, but that's why I went with it, my 20 gallon felt too small, and 40 gallons seemed to be the general consensus of a good but manageable size. I have already put tons of time and a bit of money into it, but when I actually got the tank, and put it on the stand to leak test before I drill ect. It just looked huge. For a size comparison, I am putting the tank in my 12x12 bedroom, and the stand is 36 inches, so that makes it look even bigger. I like the size as far as params being stable go ( it will also have a 20 gallon sump ) but it just looks huge, and my mom ( I am a teen ) will make me sign a contract basically saying that if I damage any of the furniture in my room ( floors and stuff included ) I will pay for them to be replaced, and I can never keep fish again, fish are my literal life so this would just ruin my life until I am 18. so basically if my tank takes a **** of saltwater all over the place I am broke for the next year or so, but still working.

If my parents were fine with it, then I wouldn't look back, sure it is pretty big, and will be hard to make look filled with coral and such, but I won't outgrow it for ( hopefully ) the whole time I live at my parents house. I have had a 60 gallon in the past ( freshwater, and it was in my basement ) and it was hard to maintain, but the terrible dimensions attributed with that, so that is one reason I am worried, and secondly my parents are just mad at the size, like so much that is my mom ever came in my room and there was a drop of water she would get mad.

I don't want to stick with my tank as it is s ugly rimmend ( yes the 40 is rimmed but it is bigger so the rims dont make such a difference ) and badly built, with a 10 gallon hob filter and som freshwater lights.

I am looking at a few options:

stick with the 40b and be super careful with everything surrounding it.

get a nice rimless 20-30 gallon ( recomendations welcome, as those are so freaking expensive

 

[Macbalacano]

Would the physical footprint of a 30 gallon be really that different though? I mean in terms of space that it takes on the floor?

You could get a smart water sensor to put under the tank as a precaution

mydlink Wi-Fi Water Sensor DCH-S161

Detect water leaks in your home before it’s too late.

ca.dlink.com

PS: Parents are the worst eh? haha

 

[vetteguy53081]

Stick with 40b. Only 36" long and you'll be able to stock more as well as having more water volume to prolong water changes

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Would the physical footprint of a 30 gallon be really that different though? I mean in terms of space that it takes on the floor?

You could get a smart water sensor to put under the tank as a precaution

mydlink Wi-Fi Water Sensor DCH-S161

Detect water leaks in your home before it’s too late.

ca.dlink.com

PS: Parents are the worst eh? haha

Oh, I do have water sensors under all my tanks, always have and always will! ( just a precautions, because I have been banned fri aquarium keeping before, only for a few months though. ) although the sensors are just basically fire alarms for water, so a smart one could be helpful

I think if a 30 gallon were readily available to me that would be a no brainer, however I cant seem to find a 30b or even any 30 at a reasonable price.

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Stick with 40b. Only 36" long and you'll be able to stock more as well as having more water volume to prolong water changes

how much of a risk do you think there is as far as the tank failing? I will have double drains, and double return pumps, and everything I can do to make it as safe as possible, so my main concern is plumbing goes erk or tank goes boom boom.

 

[Rijodan]

It really won't take as long as you think to fill it up! Between growth and new acquisitions itll fill quickly!

 

[a4edwin]

Stick to the 40. It’s not going to make a difference to your parents the size of the tank. You can have a ten gallon and that leaks you’re up the creek anyway.

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

It really won't take as long as you think to fill it up! Between growth and new acquisitions itll fill quickly!

lets just say that's out of the question, like any tank I buy looks like a master reef right away ( or on the other end of the spectrum, any tank that I buy looks like a barren wasteland forever) what would you go with, I don't think that is a main concern.

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Stick to the 40. It’s not going to make a difference to your parents the size of the tank. You can have a ten gallon and that leaks you’re up the creek anyway.

I know it doesn't make a difference in that way, but my parents like the smaller tanks I do, so when my 10 gallon rimless leaked on me this summer, my parents even paid for the replacement, it is just how my mom views it. 10 gallons of water might damage the floors, but 40 might damage the structure, that's how she looks at it.

 

[Oregon Grown Reef]

Just tell your parents you'll take up drugs instead. I'm sure they'll be fine with a little water on the floor then.



Then again, drugs might be cheaper in the long run.

 

[LeftyReefer]

You don't hear many stories about 40b's coming apart. I wouldn't worry. The tank won't leak. If you get water on the floor it's going to be from mixing water and doing water changes. If you can manage those without spilling water, you should be good to go.

Good luck!

 

[fishlover1478]

have you thought of getting a reef pi? https://www.robo-tank.ca/ and adding water level sensors in the tank and sump. also if you want you could get a shop vac which is a vacuum that works on water

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

You don't hear many stories about 40b's coming apart. I wouldn't worry. The tank won't leak. If you get water on the floor it's going to be from mixing water and doing water changes. If you can manage those without spilling water, you should be good to go.

Good luck!

I am plumbing the tank with a valve in the sump that goes to where 10 gallons is, and then just have a pump in my water buckeets to pump it back in, so I think I am good with water changes!

 

[vetteguy53081]

how much of a risk do you think there is as far as the tank failing? I will have double drains, and double return pumps, and everything I can do to make it as safe as possible, so my main concern is plumbing goes erk or tank goes boom boom.

What stand are you using ( any pics ? )

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

have you thought of getting a reef pi? https://www.robo-tank.ca/ and adding water level sensors in the tank and sump. also if you want you could get a shop vac which is a vacuum that works on water

I actually have plans to do reef pi, I was deterred by how complicated is seemned, but both my parents are electrical engineers, so I should be able to figure it out!

 

[Macbalacano]

Tbh as others above have mentioned, I think the risk is low that there will be leaks or issues with the tank causing damage.

Take it from someone who has just incurred $40K of water damage throughout all 3 levels of their house this past summer, because I accidentally left my RODI unit on overnight. By my calculations, it was only about 15 gallons and I had to replace all the flooring in my house and walls had to be ripped open. My house is only 4 years old, I built it brand new, and I will tell you that I am 10x more concerned of my dishwasher leaking, or my washing machine leaking, or my faucet leaking than I am my fishtank!

I wonder if you can get tenants insurance (LOL) albeit you'd still be a dependent under your parent's insurance policy. Because if you could, your insurance would cover the damage it would cause for probably only $20 or less a month. But that is a bit extreme haha.

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

What stand are you using ( any pics ? )

Yup, here it is, in the basement with the tank, ready for a test fill to make sure the tank for sent leak.

My dad says it is wayyy overbuilt, so I don’t think that is a concern, the top also has 3:4 inch plywood for full support for the tank.

oh, and forgot to mention, I did build it, yes I am young, but I like to think of myself as talented when it comes to diy stuff.

and I am adding front and side panels and trim for looks, just procrastinating.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yup, here it is, in the basement with the tank, ready for a test fill to make sure the tank for sent leak.

My dad says it is wayyy overbuilt, so I don’t think that is a concern, the top also has 3:4 inch plywood for full support for the tank.

Nice work and over built is good. Make sure it is leveled before and after filling but should support the tank well

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Tbh as others above have mentioned, I think the risk is low that there will be leaks or issues with the tank causing damage.

Take it from someone who has just incurred $40K of water damage throughout all 3 levels of their house this past summer, because I accidentally left my RODI unit on overnight. By my calculations, it was only about 15 gallons and I had to replace all the flooring in my house and walls had to be ripped open. My house is only 4 years old, I built it brand new, and I will tell you that I am 10x more concerned of my dishwasher leaking, or my washing machine leaking, or my faucet leaking than I am my fishtank!

I wonder if you can get tenants insurance (LOL) albeit you'd still be a dependent under your parent's insurance policy. Because if you could, your insurance would cover the damage it would cause for probably only $20 or less a month. But that is a bit extreme haha.

You know your profile pic does look like you would be a good fish tank water damage lawyer, wanna come be mine?

JK, all the points you make seem to be very true, and do restore confidence in me my mom is being so petty with the whole written contract, so I might hit her with the insurance thing.......

 

[Sailfin11]

Hi there! On my 75 gallon tank, I initially plumbed and drilled the tank to have a full sump, but at the end of the day, I didn't want to deal with the salt creep on the electronics and loud overflows. I've been running my 40B gallon for years now with a sump and overtime I've taken the skimmer and reactors out to where its just a heater and return pump now.

I decided to do my 75 gallon with a DIY All in one box from Fijicube and it was honestly the best decision ever. Here's the link to the 40 gallon version (link). Because the water never leaves the tank, you won't have to worry about any leaks.