Tank decisions

[Shooter6]

Hi i posted this question in another area but didnt get any responses or even reads so going to try here. Admins are welcome to delete the other one.
So i have a 180 gallon mixed reef that has been up since 1 march 2018. Everything is going well. Its amixed reef.
I have
1 yellow tang,
1 lavander tang,
1 halfblack mimic tang,
1 lemonpeel mimic tang.
1 tricolor fairy wrasse
1 vampire goby
2 blue chromis
1 diamond goby.
1 Talbot damsel.
The tangs are all juveniles under 3.5 inches.
I plan to add
1 white cheek tang
1 kole tang
1 Lt.tang
1 fowler tang possibly
and a few other small fish.

I have plans to within 1.5 to 2 years set up either a 8'x30"x36" or a 9'x30"x36" from glasscages. The second may stretch the time to 2 years.

I have an opportunity to get a 5'x3"x3" 355 gallon within the next month. Would you do this or just wait for the full size tank since the 355 is more volume but shorter than my 180 by a foot. Advice on tank purchase(s) are appreciated

 

[AdamNC]

Get the size you really want, otherwise you’ll regret it later. I thought I wanted a 29 gallon standard until I realized what a pain it is to scape. Took me 4 years to finally get the footprint I really wanted, a 40br. Money wasn’t a factor, it was laziness of converting everything over.

 

[garethwood]

yeah i think you already no the answer to your question : ) Hold off till you can get the setup you want not the one you can get quickly...
For one your inhabitants wont appreciate a shorter tank, even if it is more volume. too many tangs for a 3 footer imo..

 

[Shooter6]

Its 5 ft for the 355gallon 6 ft for the 180. The 355 would be a step, not a compromise . The 460/520 gallon will be happening either way. I just have an opportunity to get the 355 as the holdover in place of the 180 i currently have.i guess i didnt explain thoroughly enough on that.

 

[AdamNC]

Man that’s just a lot of work, 2 tank transfers lol. Me personally, I know it’s hard but I’d wait for the 460/520.

 

[Shooter6]

Yes it is. My plan is to set the new tank up with water, dry sand dry rock. Have all water parameters the same as my original tank. Then transfer live. Rock, coral, fish, inverts, water, vacuumed sand, cheato from refugeum ect to the larger system. Ive done this many times in the past without issue. Its like a huge water change lol no cycling since its a running system. The 180 will become a qt tank more than likely or a coral grow out tank.