How big are your SPS tanks?
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mtraylor
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I have used my 20 gallon frag tank as a holding tank for SPS. You hit the key when you said stable. Stability is easier in bigger tanks, but if you have things automated such as ATO, temp, your parms etc. the rest is pretty easy. Just keep in mind, in small tanks when you have an issue they happen faster because there is not allot of volume of water. you have pay more attention to smaller tanks and keep on top of your testing etc more often. That would be my advice. People love the 40 breaders as frag tanks, which are in essence an sps tank if that is all you are keeping in it. It all depends on your setup and experience IMO. Some people have nano sps tanks that are awesome and some have large aquariums that are awesome.
DiZASTiX
Spikeasaurus
Currently running about 40 gal total system volume, and now once in a while, I'll get a STN with no reason. The reason for the post is that I'm thinking about upgrading to a larger tank.
Is 160 "sufficient" for easiness? (You say the bigger the easier, since bad things happen slower).
Is 160 "sufficient" for easiness? (You say the bigger the easier, since bad things happen slower).
mtraylor
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I say "stability is easier in bigger tanks". The reason is because of the volume of water. Example. If you have a alkalinity problem in a 10 gallon tank, it can get out of hand pretty quick and you need to start rectifying the issue quickly but delicately because you don't want to change parms too fast and its easy to mistakenly do that in small volume tank. In a bigger volume tank, your alkalinity will slowly move and give you more opportunity to see the issue starting and rectify. This goes for just about every parm you will be checking.
Now that being said. A larger aquarium comes with allot more maintenance and allot more equipment that is needed. Allot more expense mainly is what I"m saying. You need bigger pumps, bigger skimmers, bigger lights, etc etc. Its allot more involved than your little aquarium. So keep this in mind when moving up. It will be allot more work for you at the beginning but once you get used to the larger aquarium, it will be more hands off once you get it dialed in. At least that's my opinion.
Random STN'ing can happen in any volume aquarium. Moving up to a larger aquarium is not going to stop that. Now if you are getting random STN'ing from coral chemistry wars, then you could stop that in your small aquarium with carbon. There are different reason's for STN' and some of them if you can identify, you can rectify the issues. Temp swings, coral wars both physical and chemical, bad placement say too much lateral flow, etc.......if you are getting an STN that you have no clue as to what is causing it....a bigger aquarium is not the solution to that.
So if you just want a bigger aquarium, because bigger is better. I would suggest you get a nice aquarium greater than or equal to 150 gallons volume. That would be good size with sump of at least 75 gallons. Make sure you get a tank that is 24" wide minimum for landscaping. This will qualify you for big volume aquarium. Just keep in mind that you would to have the best skimmer you can get for it, top of the line lighting, and good pumps for sps in aquarium. If you have controller, I would not do it without one. Oh also a calc reactor would be your best friend as well. Make sure you plan all your products and cost out before you take the plung. Good luck.
Now that being said. A larger aquarium comes with allot more maintenance and allot more equipment that is needed. Allot more expense mainly is what I"m saying. You need bigger pumps, bigger skimmers, bigger lights, etc etc. Its allot more involved than your little aquarium. So keep this in mind when moving up. It will be allot more work for you at the beginning but once you get used to the larger aquarium, it will be more hands off once you get it dialed in. At least that's my opinion.
Random STN'ing can happen in any volume aquarium. Moving up to a larger aquarium is not going to stop that. Now if you are getting random STN'ing from coral chemistry wars, then you could stop that in your small aquarium with carbon. There are different reason's for STN' and some of them if you can identify, you can rectify the issues. Temp swings, coral wars both physical and chemical, bad placement say too much lateral flow, etc.......if you are getting an STN that you have no clue as to what is causing it....a bigger aquarium is not the solution to that.
So if you just want a bigger aquarium, because bigger is better. I would suggest you get a nice aquarium greater than or equal to 150 gallons volume. That would be good size with sump of at least 75 gallons. Make sure you get a tank that is 24" wide minimum for landscaping. This will qualify you for big volume aquarium. Just keep in mind that you would to have the best skimmer you can get for it, top of the line lighting, and good pumps for sps in aquarium. If you have controller, I would not do it without one. Oh also a calc reactor would be your best friend as well. Make sure you plan all your products and cost out before you take the plung. Good luck.
DiZASTiX
Spikeasaurus
What about the equipment I'm running? Good enough for a big tank, I think? https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dizastix-a-tank-for-the-road.400338/#post-4800786
I'd think I can port this stuff over to the big tank.
