Downsizing from a 75 to 29. Your thoughts?

[jimbinsc]

Hi. I currently have a 29 FW with platys, 2 neon tetras and a clown loach that is outgrowing the tank and picking off the smaller fish occasionally. I also have a 75 FOWLR that is empty except for brittle stars, snails and a few bristleworms. I was away due to health issues and maintainence lacked except for topping it off and the single occupant died. Actually we added a smaller clown and the bigger first clown harassed it to death and then it died a few weeks later.
Anyways...I am really considering making the 75 FW and the setting up a nano reef in the 29. I already have most of the equipment needed except for lights and a small sump, not sure if I will drill it or go with a siphon overflow.. I also originally bought stuff for a 75 FW then changed my mind at the last minute to do SW.
The FOWLR has 50lbs of sand, 60 lbs of rock, 2 koralia 425s and an Eheim 2213 canister with filter pads just moving water and a Reef Octopus HOB skimmer.
The 29 has a sand substrate and a Penguin Biowheel 350. Nothing special on the lights there either.

Pros of switching are lower startup costs, easier maintenance (?), no need to give up the loach.
Cons are less variety in suitable fish and corals. What else? I know I am missing something?

It seems like a no brainer to switch, but I don't want to think "I wish I had known about xxx before I started".
Any helpful tips or thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Trevdawg]

Bigger is better!!!! More giving.
Chances are if you switch to smaller tank and get coral. You will wish you had it still in the 75 I think.

But then again if the bigger tank is FW then it will be low Maintenance.

 

[ReeferBob]

Honestly, if it were me, I'd pick either FW or SW and get rid of the other one. You could have a nice tank if you spent all your energies on that 75 and used the 29 as the sump.