Let's vote!

[R.moore80]

So I'm just curious as to what a more experienced reefer would do in my shoes...
Basically I had an extra heater, 10g tank with hood and light, 20-30g hob filter, and extra money. So I set it up bought salt rock and sand. I cycled it and now I have a blue leg hermit crab, a clown, 3 corals and some questions!

I had planned on keeping a simple set up until I move (in July) and start over with a larger tank i.e. A 75 w/ sump... my concern now is that a 75 is way more expensive and when I move I'll have less money for the hobby, adult hood will be taking over and my parents will not be paying for anything anymore. So now I'm trying to decide do I invest more into a "larger" nano tank and stick with that/ do I max out my ten/ or do I tear everything down and save for the 75 or 150[emoji136]‍ having only 1 tank and it being freshwater and finished would be lame after experiencing what I have with my saltwater tank! What would you all do?

Almost forgot to mention I'll be getting my own garage I won't have to share! I've considered setting up a rack and 6 tanks.... all for growing something coral/plants/fish to make side money for the hobby!? Keeps me busy!

Any thoughts? I'm not to sure how much it will cost to do any of this so any information would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[reeferfoxx]

I think you've answered your own question a couple times lol.. Take in consideration of the cost of a 75 gallon tank and it's upkeep. Look at your income. Decide whether you can afford it or not? It wouldn't hurt to downgrade if money were an issue and a tank was a necessity.

 

[Brew12]

So I'm just curious as to what a more experienced reefer would do in my shoes...
Basically I had an extra heater, 10g tank with hood and light, 20-30g hob filter, and extra money. So I set it up bought salt rock and sand. I cycled it and now I have a blue leg hermit crab, a clown, 3 corals and some questions!

I had planned on keeping a simple set up until I move (in July) and start over with a larger tank i.e. A 75 w/ sump... my concern now is that a 75 is way more expensive and when I move I'll have less money for the hobby, adult hood will be taking over and my parents will not be paying for anything anymore. So now I'm trying to decide do I invest more into a "larger" nano tank and stick with that/ do I max out my ten/ or do I tear everything down and save for the 75 or 150[emoji136]‍ having only 1 tank and it being freshwater and finished would be lame after experiencing what I have with my saltwater tank! What would you all do?

Almost forgot to mention I'll be getting my own garage I won't have to share! I've considered setting up a rack and 6 tanks.... all for growing something coral/plants/fish to make side money for the hobby!? Keeps me busy!

Any thoughts? I'm not to sure how much it will cost to do any of this so any information would be greatly appreciated!!!

I would recommend not growing up. Life is much easier that way!

Keep an eye open on Craigslist. You may not get up to a 75 w/sump for what you can spend but you can get some amazing deals if you have patience (and a garage to store stuff in while you wait to pick up everything you need at a discount!)

 

[AndrewNC]

I would definitely get a larger tank. As a 10 gallon can be a PITA. You can usually find good deals on used 75 gallon tanks as it's a popular size and you might run into a larger tank with a good price tag. Setting up a fish room would be great and you could make a little money off of it if done correctly. However, it is a costly hobby and when you least expect it you need to go buy this or that. Also, larger tank and more tanks means more equipment and more power usage, more water change, more evaporation, more supplements, more everything. That being said if you enjoy the hobby it's well worth it. You'll also find little tricks and stuff down the road to save money. If I wasn't a little intoxicated right now, I would give you better/more advice. Hope that helped a little, maybe?

 

[ahiggins]

I was in your shoes 2 years ago. Graduated college just got my first apartment...I started with a 25 gal AIO (and got effed on the price like big time) then decided I wanted a smaller one for the bedroom....all in all heres what I have now:
1) 25 gal true display with all the fancy expensive coral
2) 10 gal rock anemone breeding tank (I didnt expect it to be a breeding one but it just happened haha)
3) 40 gallon frag tank-starting this fall Ill be taking frags to local swaps and starting to sell. IMO coral are where the moneys at. if youre going to start a growing project, do coral BUT keep in mind that palys/zoas will take about a year or longer to be able to get some fraggable heads and LPS much longer. so its definitely an up front investment should you choose to go dedicated frag tank.
My advice, go slow. Start with a tank that fits your living room or whereever you plan on keeping it. Once that display is stable then think about what you want to do next. I spend about an hour a day on my 3 tanks-5-6 hours when doing water changes. I think you will find growing coral very rewarding. I wouldnt max out a 10....like ever. If you want to do something right, go for at least a 40gal tank. You can grow into it with coral and fish and for the most part wont have to worry about exporting nutrients like in nano tanks.
Good luck

 

[R.moore80]

So my garage will have bikes in them also a decent amount of race gas and fumes in the air I just thought about that 2 seconds ago... would that effect a tank?

Craigslist scares me, I live in SoCal and every old rich guy near the beach wants a saltwater tank and they get bored in a year and try to sell it for what they've put in so I'll have to learn way more before I get screwed on Craigslist again!!!

Also what's the biggest I can go without needing a sump? What's the biggest nano tank?

 

[reeferfoxx]

So my garage will have bikes in them also a decent amount of race gas and fumes in the air I just thought about that 2 seconds ago... would that effect a tank?

Craigslist scares me, I live in SoCal and every old rich guy near the beach wants a saltwater tank and they get bored in a year and try to sell it for what they've put in so I'll have to learn way more before I get screwed on Craigslist again!!!

Also what's the biggest I can go without needing a sump? What's the biggest nano tank?

I would look into a used AIO. More stability. Less annoying.

 

[Scurvy]

All good advice, especially the part about NOT growing up! You'll no doubt be able to find some good starting tanks on Craigslist you can get into cheap. Just be realistic with what you can manage/afford to maintain w/o going totally broke and upgrade/invest as you're able.

 

[Fish Werx]

I agree with what has been said so far. Dont grow up..... EVER! Hahaa! But, since that isnt really an option for most of us......

I would def go a bit bigger than a 10g. But how much bigger/how many more tanks take a lot of forethought. Glad you are thinking ahead!

As far as tank sizes go, whatever you do, stay away from the 55g el cheapo set up! I fell victim this one myself and regretted it almost as soon as I got it set up proper and running. Ask around, you'll see most people agree with this one! 75 or 90 are WAY better in the long run. But a 40 breeder is an awesome size and you can get them from Petco for $40 on sale!

Here are just a few things to think about. Some or all may not pertain to you personally. Its just a generic list.

1) Budget... Keep in mind not only are the tanks more costly as you go larger, so are the stands/equipment/supplies to take care of them usually. Craigslist and the forums will be your best friends while you are trying to gather all of the stuff you want/need! Also, the bigger or more tanks you are running will increase your electric bill. Sometimes considerably!
2)Physical size... How big can you go comfortably in the spot you have chosen in your new home? Keep in mind outlet locations and walk around space for viewing and maintaining your new tank. Also, are you planning on staying in this new place long enough for a large tank to mature and start growing out nicely? Or do you see a move in the near future? In the next year or two? If so, maybe keep it scaled down a bit to make it easier to move. Another thing to consider is if you dont have a slab floor you plan on placing the tank on, it may be necessary to get the floor reinforced if you go really big or if the place is older.
3)Time... Larger tanks and systems take more time to maintain. Sometimes, the sizes can start to be prohibitive in your enjoyment of viewing the tanks if you dont love doing maintenance.

These are not meant to hinder or scare anyone from upgrading or going with multiple systems. I have done both things! And love it! But, sometimes going slowly and methodically can save us time, money and heart ache in the long run.

 

[NeuroticAquatics]

I disagree with not considering CL. You can get some great deals on there. I've purchased and sold stuff and never had a problem. You can always ask here if a deal is good or not.

As for size...whatever you get now will seem too small in a year, so I suggest go as big as your room allows. Seriously. 60 is about as big as I've gone without a sump. A lot will depend on what you plan to fill the tank with.

Where in SoCal are you?

 

[R.moore80]

Can I ask what size tanks do you guys run how much does it cost monthly to just to keep running and healthy? I live in corona currently but I'll be going to Murrieta soon

 

[Brew12]

Can I ask what size tanks do you guys run how much does it cost monthly to just to keep running and healthy? I live in corona currently but I'll be going to Murrieta soon

I run a 120g DT with a 55g sump. I estimate it costs around $80/month in chemicals and utilities.

 

[J-West]

I would definitely get a larger tank. As a 10 gallon can be a PITA. You can usually find good deals on used 75 gallon tanks as it's a popular size and you might run into a larger tank with a good price tag. Setting up a fish room would be great and you could make a little money off of it if done correctly. However, it is a costly hobby and when you least expect it you need to go buy this or that. Also, larger tank and more tanks means more equipment and more power usage, more water change, more evaporation, more supplements, more everything. That being said if you enjoy the hobby it's well worth it. You'll also find little tricks and stuff down the road to save money. If I wasn't a little intoxicated right now, I would give you better/more advice. Hope that helped a little, maybe?

How can one make a little money off of a fish room ?

 

[jp_75]

why you say 75/90 is better than 55? it all depends on budget and time...

 

[Bdog4u2]

You can find people giving stuff away sometimes heck I gave a 75 gallon away Saturday and a 90 gallon away a few weeks ago but I hate selling stuff I'd rather give it away to someone who otherwise might never get a chance at something but that's just how I roll.
I'm not sure I'd be keeping and growing coral if there's a lot of gas fumes in the air especially if your using a protien skimmer that's sucking Air from the room plus not sure where you're going to be living but it might get cold or hot in there which will increase price for chillers and xtra heaters. keep it simple and wait til you can keep and grow corals without issues before trying to make money since nothing is worse than a $500 coral melting or dying

 

[R.moore80]

How can one make a little money off of a fish room ?

Breed fish, grow corals/plants, it's not gonna pay bills but you'll make some money for the hobby

 

[Luis Figueroa]

I was in your shoes 2 years ago. Graduated college just got my first apartment...I started with a 25 gal AIO (and got effed on the price like big time) then decided I wanted a smaller one for the bedroom....all in all heres what I have now:
1) 25 gal true display with all the fancy expensive coral
2) 10 gal rock anemone breeding tank (I didnt expect it to be a breeding one but it just happened haha)
3) 40 gallon frag tank-starting this fall Ill be taking frags to local swaps and starting to sell. IMO coral are where the moneys at. if youre going to start a growing project, do coral BUT keep in mind that palys/zoas will take about a year or longer to be able to get some fraggable heads and LPS much longer. so its definitely an up front investment should you choose to go dedicated frag tank.
My advice, go slow. Start with a tank that fits your living room or whereever you plan on keeping it. Once that display is stable then think about what you want to do next. I spend about an hour a day on my 3 tanks-5-6 hours when doing water changes. I think you will find growing coral very rewarding. I wouldnt max out a 10....like ever. If you want to do something right, go for at least a 40gal tank. You can grow into it with coral and fish and for the most part wont have to worry about exporting nutrients like in nano tanks.
Good luck

Do you have all your tanks plumbed together?

 

[ahiggins]

Do you have all your tanks plumbed together?

Nope. The 25 actual display is in the living room and the other two are in the bedroom. I chose to go the cheaper route and did not add sumps to any of my tanks.

 

[CarrieB]

A 40 breeder has awesome proportions for a reef.

 

[Luis Figueroa]

Nope. The 25 actual display is in the living room and the other two are in the bedroom. I chose to go the cheaper route and did not add sumps to any of my tanks.

I'm thinking of adding a frag tank as well to my house but was wondering which way to go. Can't drill existing tank and overflox box is risky. Then comes dosing 2 tanks instead of one. Decisions decisions