Poll: Have You Ever Upgraded?

Susan Edwards · Nov 28, 2017

I started with a RS Max c250 a year ago December. It's in my office along with a 39 gal display refugium. I'm currently on the prowl for a larger tank--min 6 foot for the living room. Thought I found a good deal on Craigs list over the weekend but missed out as the ad was taken down. Bummed! Would like a min of 135 gal, maybe 150. No plans to upgrade from that in the future so am taking my time to find what I want. Of course, I'd love a new RS tank but don't want to spend 2500-5000 bucks! But I am being selective: no acrylic, no tank I have to drill, etc.

iemsparticus · Nov 28, 2017

@dbl I'm in your exact position. I started with a 120gal, and do not plan on upgrading from there. The size is perfect for me, as well as the room... it's an awesome centerpiece, and I plan to keep it running for as many decades as possible.

ca1ore · Nov 28, 2017

If you plan to upgrade, and think you'll stay in the hobby for the long haul ..... bag the incrementalism and go BIG. I'd have saved myself at least a year's worth of college tuition if I'd skipped all my interim steps.

flsalty · Nov 28, 2017

I've never upgraded. I just add more. I've never had anything I would designate as my "main tank".

srad750c · Nov 28, 2017

Reef wise, I started with 29 in 1989, went to 50 cube in 2002, moved up to 90 in 2006, next year going to 135. That should do it until I decide if I actually build a shed/greenhouse dedicated to aquariums. FW is a totally different situation, had every thing from a 4L beaker for bettas, all the way up to 125 gal. I was given a 300 gal but I couldn’t get it out of nthe store, who knows what happened to that tank. Total upgrades, at least 10 times that I remember

zoamedic · Nov 28, 2017

I started in a sumpless 30 gal, upgraded to a 40 breeder with a diy 20 long then to a 75 gal reef savvy with custom stand and all the bells & whitles. I think most starting new in the hobby have a natural progression to a larger tank. 75 is my max till I find somewhere I intend on staying long term.

vlangel · Nov 28, 2017

I started with a 40XH freshwater that I converted to salt. Then I got a 90 gallon. Then when caring for my mother in law I went smaller to a 36 bowfront. Now I have a 56 gallon column. This has been in the span of 20 years so its not as bad as it sounds.

jmcs joe · Nov 28, 2017

I had many fresh water tanks though the years. Shopping for those we (my wife and I) ended up in an I'll sell you anything LFS purchased a 29 nano. Many trips there and lots of money and unfortunately casualties, we stepped away for a few years. We decided to Convert a fresh to a 55 salt fish only. Then found Mario from Aquitica in Tinley Park Il, He molded and scolded me ( boy have I done some stupid things) through a successful 29 nano mixed reef (that I still have) from there built a 180 mixed reef. This week we are adding a 30 gallon for clowns and anomies. I'm ready for more. In it love it for life. Thank you to R2R, BRS, Mario,and my favorite many child Mr saltwater Mark.(Mark love the tee shirts)

atx100r · Nov 28, 2017

Just moved up from 55 with 20 long dump to a 75 with 40 breeder sump and mostly DIY

https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/329799/

atoll · Nov 29, 2017

In my 37 years I have upgraded, downgraded and sideways graded with 11 tanks.

BigRedSpecial · Nov 29, 2017

I started with a massive 10 gallon tank that I very thoroughly loved. That was upgraded to a 20h, and now my 45/55sump. When I move again I'm planning on a 120; when I end up somewhere semi-permanent I'll go big, at least 180.

PiscesPower · Nov 29, 2017

This go round I have upgraded once. I was out of the hobby for 5 years, but back then I upgraded 3 times in a year. 15g > 35 > 72. Its just a given in this hobby I think. I got this new tank beginning of September and I am already planning for when I can upgrade. We're in a rental house and it just didn't seem feasible to go bigger.

Ferrell · Nov 29, 2017

This is my first reef tank but FO I went from 20 store bought to 120 I built to a 300+ I built in the wall of our dream home (then we moved) bought a 75 and kept at my office (the downsize made one at home impossible) had that for many years til my started moving around. Finally settled in forever home and have 75 again. Very manageable. It would be nice to have additional tanks but do not see an upgrade in the future. My $0.02 fwiw

LadyMac · Nov 29, 2017

I started with an Oceanic stretch hex, 40 gallons. Moved that to my 40 breeder instead. So I dunno if that conts as an upgrade or not, but I like the foot print much better.

cyan0069 · Nov 29, 2017

This has been an ongoing issue for me over the last 20 plus years....
29 gal -> 125 gal -> move and out of the hobby for awhile,

40 Hex -> 125 gal -> 270 gal -> down to 40Hex -> 125 gal -> move and out of the hobby for a bit,

5 gal -> 40 Hex -> 58 RR (still running) -> 90 gal (running)

The problem is that I rarely ever actually, truly upgrade. I just add tanks

Kristine · Nov 30, 2017

It seems that upgrading is my thing to do. I started with a goldfish when I was 8. My mom decided to go to a 10 gallon. Next we went to 20 gal. They were fresh water. I decided a few years ago that I really wanted to try a 75 gallon salt water tank. Now I am 50 and have a 90 gallon because my 75 needed replacing. It's the same length just a tad higher. I really want a 165 gallon but don't have the room for it at the moment.

ThunderGoose · Nov 30, 2017

If we're talking reef tanks I haven't upgraded and while I'd love to I have no place to put a larger tank. What I have done is set up a nano in addition to my display tank.

Freshwater? I've been keeping freshwater since I was 12 so, yeah, upsize, downsize, 6 tanks, 1 tank, no tanks (only rarely, thanks).

DracoKat · Nov 30, 2017

I had a 9 gal cube, then went up to 28g jbj nanocube, then up to 75g.

I COULD go bigger to maybe 120, or any 6-footer tank (Which I probably should've done first).. then I think about how much work it'd be to upgrade and the cost and I say. nah, I'm done.