Have you ever regretted a bigger tank?

vetteguy53081 · Nov 2, 2018

Regretted??
Bigger is better. I have a 360g and want larger and soon!

acro-ed · Nov 2, 2018

I recently upgraded from a 150 to a 300 and there are some things that annoy me. I wouldn’t say I regret it, but I could be just as happy with a smaller tank. I feel like it’s going to take even longer to look equally as good because of the extra room. I would consider going bigger if I could build it into my house with appropriate drains for waste water and ability to put the equipment in a separate small room. I would also consider going smaller if I end up moving again and can’t build one in. 300 is just big enough where water changes are annoying yet not big enough to really be that impressive.

(Side shot)

Patientman · Nov 2, 2018

Bigger = more options ... for fish and corals! Also more forgiving ... a "small" mistake is even smaller in a bigger tank!

csb123 · Nov 2, 2018

I love my 300 which I got after being out of the hobby for a decade. The only down side was when I got back in the coral prices had skyrocketed. To fill up the tank cost substantially more. The frags nowadays are tiny and take “forever” to grow into a decent colony.

If I didn’t belong to a large and active club where I could get cheaper and larger frags, I would have downsized.

Troy V · Nov 2, 2018

My last tank was a 240 and it was running continuously for 12 years. I enjoyed the size of the display but thought I was always limited to what I could keep in a mixed reef with a broad collection of fish. I was looking for the best of all my worlds. So after much thought I went with a 500 gallon trio of tanks plumbed together. That way I could keep SPS, LPS, and softie specific tanks, as well as a diverse collection of fish for each tank. Also it is easier to provided the correct lighting for each tank instead of a "one size fits all" approach to lighting. Plus I could easily turn one into an octopus, mantis, lionfish, eel, or an anemone tank. The system has a long way to go, but so far the concept seems to work.
Clam Tank

SPS

LPS

FTS

Flippers4pups · Nov 2, 2018

Definitely this decision has to be based on what you can afford and what is easier to maintain.

I've gone up in tank size and have gone down in tank size over the years.

Right now, my 125 is perfect for me, but it's getting cramped because of grow out. That's okay, time to reset and frag. Gives me a chance to sell some corals and get new ones. Win, win.

ca1ore · Nov 2, 2018

Not yet .....

Richardver · Nov 3, 2018

My first saltwater tank Will be a 8 ft x 7ft x 2,5 ft lol

MarsRover · Nov 3, 2018

I definitely regret my AGE build. For details check out my build thread toward the end.

TheHarold · Nov 3, 2018

I have absolutely not regretted my upgrades. From a 28 nanocube to a 300g beast. The difference in maintenance has not changed significantly to me; 10 minutes a day to test alkaliity, feed, maybe mag the glass, and then an hour on the weekend for anything else. The cost is much more, but not the maintenance.

Just finished up a waterchange; 25 minutes. Same thing as a water change on my smaller tanks except using larger buckets and pumps.

Mayerlyn A · Nov 3, 2018

I can’t wait to upgrade to a bigger tank. I doubt I will have any regrets .

Troy V · Nov 3, 2018

MarsRover said:
I definitely regret my AGE build. For details check out my build thread toward the end.

I read your build thread and the issues you have with your AGE. I had a similar situation happen to me with an Oceanic 240 tank and stand combo. Once I set the tank up, a 2-3mm gap developed between the stand and tank. Like you I could see light emitting from the gap. I went back an forth with the President and VP of Oceanic. They assured me that as long as all 4 corners are making contact with the stand there is no need for concern. This didn't make me feel any easier about the situation. But I am happy to say I had the tank for 12 years and the person who has it now hasn't had a problem either, and that was 2 years ago. I hope it all goes well for you friend. Good luck.

Here is the tank.

Nikita1981 · Nov 3, 2018

I regretted it. I went from 100 to 200 gallon peninsula and it was just too much. Too much maintenance, too much room to fill with nice corals who did not look tiny in this tank, too high electricity bill, too much humidity in the house, etc.

Just too much of everything. I sold it all and from that money I bought a Reefer 250 with really nice equipment and save up money to buy nice small exclusive corals. Electricity bill is down 30 percent, no extreme humidity, more space in the house. I could not be happier.

Good luck with your choice.

tidefanjam · Nov 3, 2018

I would like a bit bigger, mine is a 65 but my main problem is the height, it’s a real pain working in the lower half... also not enough room in the bottom for setting up my sump like I would like now that I’ve been in the hobby over a year, I don’t think I’d regret bigger, maybe a 90 or 125, just longer and shorter

Humongous · Nov 3, 2018

I went from a 46 to a 210 to the current 1000 gallon reef tank. I don't regret any of the upgrades. The key really lies in the planning, you'll never get it right the first time. Costs go up for sure but you can manage it just be realistic with your budget because you have living creatures that are depending on your bank account.

My biggest challenge has been lighting.

Another point I'll make is that in smaller water volumes things can change quickly but in a large system issues build slowly and sneak up on you. If you need an emergency 50% water change..........it's tricky.

I don't post often on here but I love to read forums. If you have any questions PM me and I'll reply when I log in.

Good luck!

Roberto Denadai · Nov 3, 2018

Today I think 100G is a nice size...not too small and not too big

Roberto Denadai · Nov 3, 2018

My old 50G

North Borders · Nov 3, 2018

I have a slightly off topic question for some of you. Have any of you gone larger and been able to frag from the bigger colonies and sell to mostly fund the hobby for you? I recently had to get rid of a beautiful birdsnest colony that was about the size around of a medium pizza due to size constraints in my 65 and it broke my heart

Troy V · Nov 3, 2018

North Borders said:
I have a slightly off topic question for some of you. Have any of you gone larger and been able to frag from the bigger colonies and sell to mostly fund the hobby for you? I recently had to get rid of a beautiful birdsnest colony that was about the size around of a medium pizza due to size constraints in my 65 and it broke my heart

Yes I used the proceeds of coral sales to purchase every system I have ever had. For me the biggest cash crop was Xenia. At one point I was making $140 (14 frags) a week from just that. I was also selling Zoas, SPS, and LPS. But unfortunately when I did my most recent upgrade I lost a lot of my stock, and my Xenia fuge was completely wiped out. My fuge is back up and running, but they aren't selling nearly as fast now. I only average 4 colonies a week. This hobby is too much of a money pit to not make something back on your investment. Especially since many of these coral are in such high demand. If you stick with selling beginner staple coral like mushrooms, Zoas, Xenia ect. Also become friendly/co-operative with your LFS so they will sell your coral for you.