Should I swap tanks? Need some experienced help!

[EnLight]

Alright..so my LFS has this 75g custom acrylic tank for the past couple months that I really am starting to like the look of. It has none of the trim around the top and the black corners, a built in overflow, a stand provided where I can put all of my equipment, so overall I think it would be a much cleaner look for my tank. What I have now is also a 75, but it doesn't have the built in overflow and my stand is just a random coffee table so that I can't put any of my equipment in. It's also made of glass. Here's some pictures to give a visual to my description.

My current set up:





The tank I'm looking at (not the best of pics, but you get an idea):






So far, here's what I can think of for pros and cons on swapping tanks..

PROS

• Cleaner look, fit sump and all equipment in stand, not so ghetto looking overall
• Quieter, no random things vibrating (hopefully)
• New stand, tank fits on it perfectly
• Better lids
• No ugly overflow box
• Build thread would be fun to make

CONS

• Transferring everything
• Buying more liverock since I would like to go for more of a two island look rather than wall
• Losing my beautiful coralline algae
• I think transferring everything needs two points. Wouldn't be looking forward to that.
• Small, but affordable price

I'm not sure whether or not the difference between glass and acrylic is a pro or con. I'm sure I'm missing many other pros and cons that I'm not even aware of, hopefully some experienced aquarists can help me out. What do you guys think?

 

[veselym]

acrylic is lighter but scratches very easily...I have only had one acrylic tank and I had to be very careful with algae scrapers

looks well built from the pictures but hard to tell when not in person

Transferring isn't that hard, just takes time and a little more $ for new sand and any extra water you would need...if you like the tank and it is in your price range/would make your maintenance easier then it is probably worth it

 

[DannyB]

That is a very nice tank!

 

[EnLight]

Yeah I wish I could show you guys in person apparently a lady had it custom built, I have no idea what the original price is on it, and had the LFS come setup a nice freshwater display. Literally two days later she decided she didn't want it, and sent everything back no refund.

 

[Reefrookie220]

I just made the switch to acrylic, mines 90g and it's all in one(sump built into back panel) and I'm super happy. Only con I can see is the scratches, don't ask how but it gets scratched.

You'll be able to use your coral line algae to seed the new tank. BUY NEW SAND. Then all you'll have to do is swap everything, water and all to avoid mini cycle and you'll live the stand and new tank, I've ruined to many coffee tables lol. GOOD LUCK! BUILD THREAD!

 

[EnLight]

I just made the switch to acrylic, mines 90g and it's all in one(sump built into back panel) and I'm super happy. Only con I can see is the scratches, don't ask how but it gets scratched.

You'll be able to use your coral line algae to seed the new tank. BUY NEW SAND. Then all you'll have to do is swap everything, water and all to avoid mini cycle and you'll live the stand and new tank, I've ruined to many coffee tables lol. GOOD LUCK! BUILD THREAD!

Yeah scratches is definitely a con I forgot about. Can't I just use the sand I have now? And how would I use my algae to seed the tank? do I literally just scrape it off the glass and throw it in there? But yes, definitely a build thread! That's the only part of the transfer I do look forward to lol

 

[EnLight]

Bump, just because I could be starting this project tomorrow! What would be the easiest way to transfer everything? What about taking mushrooms off of a rock I don't want anymore?

 

[Reefrookie220]

I'd buy new sand, it's got all kinds of nastiness in it and stirring it up could very likely cause nutrient issues. At the very least rinse what you've got very well! But rinsing destroys all the bacteria.

Scrap your algae into a cup of water and crunch it up really fine and sprinkle it in the new tank after you get your rock in there voila!

As far as the mushrooms you can wait til they are fully open and grab the base and turn it like a key for a sardine can, like roll them off the rock. If it leaves anything behind it'll just make more mushroom.

 

[Lenny_S]

Anything you move from the old tank will seed the new tank with whatever is on it, including the coralline algae. Moving the sand will be the trickiest and most dangerous part. Depending on how deep it is there could be copious amounts of hydrogen sulfide released when you disturb it. The safest easiest play is to leave it behind and disturb as little as possible during the move.

 

[EnLight]

Okay..I'll most likely pick up some new sand then. Mine was already various grades of size so it looked a bit silly. My LFS said I could try using a dust pan and just pick the sand straight up, but I'll probably just get new sand all together. Hopefully none of my wrasses or other fish are hiding in my old sand when I make the transfer, I'll have to find all my snails too :S

 

[Reduck]

That's a nice tank and stand!
Do the new sand, just rinse it well if it's bagged dry. When you have the old tank empty, gently sift the sand to find any occupants. Wear gloves. Bristle worms are good at hiding and they burrow fast.

 

[James w Lewis]

Buy a 120. you will outgrow a 75 quickly.

 

[Reefrookie220]

You must work sales in a lfs! Lol

Buy a 120. you will outgrow a 75 quickly.

 

[ss95003]

I personally would go acrylic because of scares and I want a center brace either. I personally would hold out for another tank.

 

[EnLight]

Well guys, I made the move. Let's just say I no longer have a carpet..but on the bright side, all of my coral and fish made the transfer and the tank looks beautiful build thread eventually!