Tank Upgrade: What Would You Have Done Different?

[ycnibrc]

From 90 to 120 is not a big different you will ask this question in 6 months. Unless space is not permitted don't upgrade just 30g bigger because u will running out of space very fast and Everytime u upgrade it will cost u more money.

 

[rareform]

 

[rareform]

I went this route for the extra large sump, chiller, and autotop off.

 

[RtomKinMad]

From 90 to 120 is not a big different you will ask this question in 6 months. Unless space is not permitted don't upgrade just 30g bigger because u will running out of space very fast and Everytime u upgrade it will cost u more money.

That’s exactly what we found after all our upgrades! Think we are almost happy with 2, 300 gal tanks and 93 cube! Lol but wish we had room for 500-600 gal. But house is too small and already looks like a public aquarium!

 

[ca1ore]

Get the absolutely largest tank you can fit - lots of $$$ wasted in incremental upgrades. Even with my current 450 I found myself thinking that I should have gone with 9’ instead of 8’. Oh well, too late now.

 

[mikes686]

I would look at getting a bigger tank. 90-125 is not a huge difference. Look at a 180. That 6 more inches in depth makes a huge difference. Opens up a lot of options. Most of the equipment is the same. My only complaint going from my 93 to 180 is my overflow choice.

Agreed, I went from 75 to 210, great decision. I have room underneath for a 40 breeder which is ample space for 2 4inch socks, RO 150 skimmer, refugium and return pump . I have a 10 g ATO and external UV and reactors.

 

[Imnyifan]

You have any pics of the stand/sump system? Im almost final with my sump/stand design, would love to see what youre running.

Agree, a taller stand. Shop around at skimmers and look at their height and add a few more inches for O&M then room for pipes above that

 

[rmchoi]

I found the tank height depends on how it's viewed. Our reef was set up higher, being near the kitchen where its seen standing or sitting at the bar counter. For viewing, it's great in that setting. I keep my hands out of the tank and have auto water changer, but occasionally use a two step stool for maintenance. Making the stand out of plywood and designed taller for stand viewing, gave extra room in the stand which I used to created a shelf to store the wires, transformers, outlets and battery back ups. It allowed room to organize complexity.

I think most would agree extra stand space is a premium. Unless you have a fish room, consider expanding the stand space where you can. It's like having extra money, you will likely use it

This is inside the stand with the shelf closet doors closed and open.

 

[._Z_.]

I’m about a year and a half into my first tank. I would have spent more time/money on my aquascape. I’m somewhat happy with it but I wish I would have spent the money on some of the nicer rock like Tonga and shelf.

 

[User1]

One thing I found is that I had one vision when I ordered my tank but failed to account for contingency plans. I ordered a peninsula thinking I would put the tank in a wall so visible on both sides and set the overflow on the right side. Then later decided no and now it changes how I design the canopy and skin the stand.

Also upgrading tanks and depending on the size remember to consider you need more if increasing the gallons. I went from a 40 to 210 gallon. Normally a bag of salt would last a bit of time. When I went to go fill it up the first time I noticed I only bought one bag I needed three!!!! It is the little things like how much salt, RI/RO water storage, mixing, longer tools to perform work, etc. It was the little things like this that I kept tripping over that delayed setting the system up.

 

[User1]

I’m about a year and a half into my first tank. I would have spent more time/money on my aquascape. I’m somewhat happy with it but I wish I would have spent the money on some of the nicer rock like Tonga and shelf.

True. My original plan was to use live rock from TBS. With two in college at the time I decided I couldn't really do that just yet so went with dry Pukani instead. While I like the Pukani and I'm having good success with it - it really was the wrong choice. My upgrade would have been a lot smoother and probably saved a few of my corals I transferred had I gone with my original plan.

 

[VSVP bet]

From 90 to 120 is not a big different you will ask this question in 6 months. Unless space is not permitted don't upgrade just 30g bigger because u will running out of space very fast and Everytime u upgrade it will cost u more money.

Space is limited. I am really not fish heavy, more coral heavy. I have a massive toad stool (it is honestly huge) that takes up the center of my 90. What I like about the 125 is how long it is, this allows me to spread everything out. Also with the 125, I will not need to purchase any new lights, skimmer, or hardware as my skimmer is rated for 150 and i have 3 hydra 26s. I will likely upgrade in the future, but for the next year to two years, the 125 will suit me very well I believe.

I have minimal rock in my 90, I have my SPS arranged well. When the colonies over grow to excess, I frag them. I usally keep them around 6-10 inches in diameter. This allows me to have many medium sized colonies and they have been growing this way for years now. My only limiting factor is sandspace. My LPS (lobos, acans, bowers) have all added a few heads, and my derasa clam is growing as well. As my neon long poly green toadstool is enormous, if I got a 120, the increased depth would not satisfy my needs of more sand space as the huge toadstool would be pressed up against the rocks, however, I believe with the increased length of the 125, since I am transporting my sps aquascape from my 90 directly over unchanged, large areas of sand space will open to satisfy my sand dwelling corals, my clam, and my larger than life toadstool. Please let me know if this rationale is valid. Im often the one that says bigger is better, but i think the 125 is the best option for me at this point.

 

[VSVP bet]

I found the tank height depends on how it's viewed. Our reef was set up higher, being near the kitchen where its seen standing or sitting at the bar counter. For viewing, it's great in that setting. I keep my hands out of the tank and have auto water changer, but occasionally use a two step stool for maintenance. Making the stand out of plywood and designed taller for stand viewing, gave extra room in the stand which I used to created a shelf to store the wires, transformers, outlets and battery back ups. It allowed room to organize complexity.

I think most would agree extra stand space is a premium. Unless you have a fish room, consider expanding the stand space where you can. It's like having extra money, you will likely use it

This is inside the stand with the shelf closet doors closed and open.

Beautiful looking sump.

 

[Kendrid]

I can get you an exact measurement when I get home. I think the stand itself is 32 or 34 inches tall plus the 31 inch tank. Wasn't thinking when I made it I guess. Don't forget though to leave yourself enough room under the stump to be able to get equipment in and out. ie skimmer, reactors and such. Here is a pic of my setup.

Did you build the ship in the upper left? I build the same one about 20 years ago.

 

[Dual40IM]

What a nice set up!

Thank you

 

[Dual40IM]

Did you build the ship in the upper left? I build the same one about 20 years ago.

No I bought it when we were on a cruise in the Bahamas.

 

[Imnyifan]

I would switch to a ghost overflow style configuration. The corner overflows take up a significant amount of real estate

 

[scottbapilot]

I would make sure the new tank is plumbed for SAE not metric.

 

[jjflounder1]

My first reef tank just over a year old now ...
I would of made the stand go all the way back to the wall .
I would of drilled into that wall and installed washing machine type drain ... For easier water change ...

 

[mtraylor]

What are dimension on 120? I would make sure you depth is 24 to 30 inches