Questions regarding an upgrade.

[Bryce Mazloum]

Hello everyone! With a lack of reefing knowledge and a birthday coming up, I've been doing research for a possible upgrade to my system, but I'd like some personal help before I make any decisions.

So my current layout is a 9 gallon eheim tank with:
aquaclear 20 fuge mod without a light
aquamaxx nemo light
hydor powerhead
eheim heater

Now I'm going to be getting about 2k for my birthday if I'm lucky, and I have three options:
1. keeping my tank but upgrading my equipment and buying more corals with limited space
2. buying a tank online and upgrading that way, with some more possible equipment upgrades
3. going to my lfs and talking to them about making a custom tank

Now what I'm wondering from you lovely folks is what is your personal experiences with situations like these? What would you do if you were in my saltwater soaked shoes?

P.S
I'm wanting to stay nano, so preferably nothing over 20gal, and I have been looking on BRS at some of the red sea and innovative marine, what are your experiences with those particular brands?

 

[ndrwater]

Happy upcoming Birthday!!
If it were me, I'd look at the RedSea, Waterbox or IM tanks. All are good quality and most of the hard engineering his done for you. You always take a risk buying used. Almost always cheaper... Until there is a leak..
As for keeping your original setup, also an option, but being such a small tank, you are limited coming out of the gate.. I am in the "bigger is always better camp" so take that into consideration..
Whatever you decide, post up some pix!!

 

[Bryce Mazloum]

Happy upcoming Birthday!!
If it were me, I'd look at the RedSea, Waterbox or IM tanks. All are good quality and most of the hard engineering his done for you. You always take a risk buying used. Almost always cheaper... Until there is a leak..
As for keeping your original setup, also an option, but being such a small tank, you are limited coming out of the gate.. I am in the "bigger is always better camp" so take that into consideration..
Whatever you decide, post up some pix!!

Thanks! I was looking at the red sea 20gal or maybe the IM 20gal dropoff or maybe even the peninsula, but I haven't seen waterbox yet, do you know where I could find them?

 

[ndrwater]

They are a sponsor here I believe. Check the Sponsor pages 1st. Second, I'd do a Google search.
Many retailers are carrying them now. Very similar to the Red Sea tanks, but a bit cheaper if memory serves.

 

[JoshH]

Thanks! I was looking at the red sea 20gal or maybe the IM 20gal dropoff or maybe even the peninsula, but I haven't seen waterbox yet, do you know where I could find them?

It might be creeping out of your comfort zone a tad but might I suggest the IM 30L EXT... good sized smaller tank, great footprint and aquascaping opportunity, the ability to use a sump on a smaller tank which is always nice and not too aggressive on the wallet even with the cost of a sump and stand...