Someone talk me out of this...

UCF Alum · Nov 11, 2019

Lately I've been eyeballing a 350 gal peninsula. I have most of the equipment from my Reefer 650 peninsula that I could transfer over. I'd need to get a bigger return pump and a maybe 2 more Radion XR 30's, more live rock, etc. More specifically, it would be a Tsunami acrylic tank from fish tanks direct. Current tank is 140 DT and 175 total volume.

I'm honestly looking for a reason not to do this (besides the initial cost of the tank, etc). I have the "once I get something in my head, I don't stop until it's done" mentality, which is not always good. I love big tanks, especially peninsula tanks. I'd end up selling the tank I have now.

I have a bunch of reasons why I want to do this, but hardly any why I should not.
Can you offer me some?

Crabs McJones · Nov 11, 2019

You came to the wrong place to have a group of people talk you out of buying a tank ;Hilarious;Hilarious;Hilarious
As long as you can maintain and afford it I say go for it!

jgvergo · Nov 11, 2019

I wish someone would talk me INTO it!

ca1ore · Nov 11, 2019

Let’s see ....

1. I bought my tank from FTD and they were so reasonable and polite to deal with I felt patronized ...
2. Every $5K I spend on hobbies is an extra $5K my kids will have to find through student loans.
3. No matter how big a tank you get, you’ll eventually run out of space .... so why bother.

Greybeard · Nov 11, 2019

Money... you'll be lucky to get 10 cents on the dollar for your used gear. That's really the only major downside. Skimmer, reactors, lighting, pumps, everything will need to be considered for upgrade.

Maintenance time, you're more than doubling your volume. Double the water changes... is your mixing station and RODI system big enough to handle it?

Space: You got room for a big tank?

Floor strength... something to consider, at least.

SO Happiness: Is your significant other going to be pleased with the change?

Current tank health... you got a nice tank now? You're risking destroying it... no doubt about it, moving tanks is a risk.

Get past that? Welcome to the upgrade path

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 11, 2019

Wait....you're asking a forum of reef junkies to talk you out of upgrading to a larger tank?

Sounds to me like you're asking the wrong people! Lol

UCF Alum · Nov 11, 2019

I appreciate the feedback. I understand, as many of you have stated, that I came to the wrong place to ask because we're reef junkies, but I also understand that there are limits that I need to put on things.
This is one of them. Am i going to want to upgrade 3 years from now from a 350? Twice the amount of salt per water change. More power.
I think that @ca1ore kind of put it into perspective with #2's response and my kids. I'm really not trying to be selfish here because I already spend a ton of money on my tank now. Maybe I should just get this out of my head.

Mastiffsrule · Nov 11, 2019

UCF Alum said:
Lately I've been eyeballing a 350 gal peninsula. I have most of the equipment from my Reefer 650 peninsula that I could transfer over. I'd need to get a bigger return pump and a maybe 2 more Radion XR 30's, more live rock, etc. More specifically, it would be a Tsunami acrylic tank from fish tanks direct. Current tank is 140 DT and 175 total volume.

I'm honestly looking for a reason not to do this (besides the initial cost of the tank, etc). I have the "once I get something in my head, I don't stop until it's done" mentality, which is not always good. I love big tanks, especially peninsula tanks. I'd end up selling the tank I have now.

I have a bunch of reasons why I want to do this, but hardly any why I should not.
Can you offer me some?

No, don’t do it. (That help

)

Ebslinger · Nov 11, 2019

I once had an acrylic tank and scratched it in the first few days... I will never have another one.

To add insult to injury, algae would always grow in the scratch just to taunt me... I still have nightmares.

Salty Lemon · Nov 11, 2019

Oh honey (sorry about the condescension), you just won't find that here. I say go for it, create a build thread, and let us live through your new adventure.

Redfoxtang · Nov 11, 2019

I talked myself out of a 265!! But then I bought it and now setting it up!

Johniejumbo · Nov 11, 2019

Don’t do it. It’s hard to see how much work that upgrade will be and half way through it you will regret having torn down your perfectly good tank that was so easy to care for....... ;Hilarious I almost said that with a straight face.

Salty Lemon · Nov 11, 2019

Redfoxtang said:
I talked myself out of a 265!! But then I bought it and now setting it up!

Ummm...I don't see a build thread.

BeejReef · Nov 11, 2019

If I were trying to talk myself out of it, at least for a time, I'd tell myself I can have the 350, but there are things I want to do first. Telling the evil side of my brain it can't have something doesn't work out well.

Then make a list... before I upgrade to a 350 I want
1) to have x-number of volleyball-sized acros to build my scape around
2) to use only equipment I have experience and success with
3) to have superior RODI and salt mixing facilities capable of.....

u get the idea. I'd make a real list, almost like a Gantt chart. I can't proceed to the next step until I've accomplished the sub-goals I have for my new build. Ofc, if trying to put yourself off, put stuff you can accomplish with your existing set up on top. Watching 1" frags base out in a 350 has to be even more painful than in a 160.. lol.

Point being, you are getting closer to your dream tank, as surely as if you had the equipment bought and in a closet. It's just not costing you as much up front and your current system will kick butt in pursuit of your goals.