Have you ever regretted a bigger tank?

[speedstar]

I'll soon be upgrading, in the next year or so, to a larger tank though not big.

In the past my favorite and best looking tank was a 125g full SPS dominate tank, it was stunning. I then moved to a 300g even though I plumbed the systems together, I still lost nearly 40% of my corals. It never grew back out and then from disappointment and another child, I left the hobby.

I guess I just fear being happy with what I have, going bigger and losing a bunch again.

Whats your experience?

 

[flooddc]

I regretted in NOT getting a much bigger tank!

well, actually a bigger tank is nice but it come with more work and $$$. Example: higher utility bills, more equipment to buy, more corals to fill, more fish. Also, bigger water volume means more evaporation and need to add ventilation.

 

[Devaji]

choosing the "Right" size tank can be a lot of work eh? so many factors such as:
budget
are you gonna move?
placement in the home ( does it really fit even if it fits ....lol)
does other half like it
stocking list
goals for the system
the list goes on and on...
that said most ppl find that happy balance between the above by getting the biggest tank they can while not going bankrupt.

bigger is not always better for some reefers tho
I once had a 240 reef loved it , moved with it once and could not take it on the 2nd move but loved the length of 8' for tangs.
I did not retreat the upgrade from a 90. but would have if it was glass and had to move it. haha


there are so many option of sizes, styles and makers out there its a full time job to choose. I hope you find your "happy size"

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Only time I regretted going bigger...was when I was packing the 180 in and out of my basement...other than that bigger=better IMO

 

[Murica]

I currently have a 240 display and was thinking on getting a massive 14 foot tank when I put an addition on my house. The time and maintenance with the 240 is just perfect for the size it is. I feel if I go any bigger with a reef tank, I'm going to constantly be maintenancing it, adding tons of alk and calcium, etc. I've had smaller tanks in the past, and I hated having such small tank so I kept upgrading to the size I have now. Now, I'm very happy with my 240 because it's manageable for the amount of time I devote to it .

However that being said, I'm still probably going to get that 14 footer one day but make it a fowlr

To be honest, I'll probably see someone's huge reef tank one day and all I'll want is a huge reef tank for myself afterwards lol

 

[Erica-Renee]

Only time I regretted going bigger...was when I was packing the 180 in and out of my basement...other than that bigger=better IMO

This . For us it was from the back of the Van into the Living room .. 3 weeks ago.. the small tank is soon to be my Sump.

 

[TheWalkman99]

I think bigger is better even though there is more matinance slough bigger then 300 is huge!

 

[Cory]

My only regret was getting a deep tank where you have to dunk your head in to reach the bottom lol. Trust me 30" is too deep.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Bigger cant be wrong!

 

[vic5hands]

Never

 

[hart24601]

I sure have. Bigger is not always an upgrade! I find personally 40ish gallons is my sweet spot. If someone gave me a 300g reef tank I would part it out. I always smile when I read about tank "upgrades" just being larger volume. I think going smaller is the upgrade.

 

[Erica-Renee]

I sure have. Bigger is not always an upgrade! I find personally 40ish gallons is my sweet spot. If someone gave me a 300g reef tank I would part it out. I always smile when I read about tank "upgrades" just being larger volume. I think going smaller is the upgrade.

This is a Bank account, Free time . No more Saltwater hands upgrade ...

 

[4FordFamily]

I agree, only when moving our paying the bill. If those don’t apply anymore go big or go home!

 

[cracker]

I'm getting older now so the 180 is big enough for me. Now the 75 seems a little small .
SpeedStar liked his 125. Nice size,not too big & plenty of room .

 

[saltyhog]

I haven't "upgraded" yet as my initial tank was 72x24x21. At the time that was the biggest tank I could put it my old house with a crawl space. Now the wall my tank is on in the basement of my new house is on a slab and 20+ long. I would love to move the 6 footer to another wall and add 10 foot tank. I also think that 22" is probably the ideal height for me.

 

[Will Milberger]

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: [Reading from his grandfathers' notebook] "As the minuteness of the parts formed a great hinderance to my speed, I resolved therefore to make a being of a gigantic stature."

[pause]

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: Of course. That would simplify everything.

Inga: In other vords: his veins, his feet, his hands, his organs vould all have to be increased in size.

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: Exactly.

Inga: He vould have an enormous schwanzstucker.

Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: That goes without saying.

Inga: Voof.

Igor: He's going to be very popular.

 

[reefrf]

I upgraded from a 120 to a 250g and do not regret it one bit.

 

[speedstar]

My only regret was getting a deep tank where you have to dunk your head in to reach the bottom lol. Trust me 30" is too deep.

I know that one of my first bigger tanks was a custom 40X40X30 and that was a pain to reach the bottom. I did a 48X48X24 next it was much better.

 

[mtraylor]

Go big or go home. LOL.

 

[Jason mack]

I think everything has its pros and cons ,
Regret is a strong word , I've upgraded 3 times now ,my current tank is a 90g , and it's been the hardest so far , and of course more expensive, if your not on a budget then that is not a problem , the deeper you delve into this hobby the more you will need ...it doesn't take much for a tank to crash , an accident, failed equipment , I know people who had beautiful tanks ,upgraded and had so many problems and never got it together again that they've quit ... I think each of us have too find the perfect tank that for us is .... just my opinion...