Tank upgrade

[thomas_neil]

Hey everyone, I'll be moving into my new house at the end of the month and want to upgrade my 75 gallons to something bigger. I'll be putting the tank in my basement, so I don't want to go huge and not be able to get it down there. I also only have a 32" wide door to the basement so can't go super wide.

Ideally, I'd like it large enough for my fox face and a tang, I really like the sailfins so want to try and plan around that. I'll probably be getting rid of most of my other current fish (5 chromis, 3 cardinals, an orchid dotty back, and 2 clowns, I really only want to keep the fox face, might consider the chromis because they actually get along with each other).

Just looking for some tank suggestions that will:
1. be narrow enough to fit through my door to the basement
2. be big enough to house a fox face and sailfin tang (or a smaller tang)
3. easy maintenance/accessible overflow

I'm going to redo the basement and kind of build it around the tank, so I'd be open to peninsulas as well.

I've put some thought into the gear. For sure putting a Neptune on this tank, I really like the geo's reef sumps, reef Octo skimmer, probably a couple MPs, I've been trying to decide between the Neptune lights and the Ecotech lights.

Any suggestions would really help. I want to start working on the basement this winter and try and get everything ready for a new tank in the spring timeframe.

 

[jmoneyyy703]

There are so many options for tanks and equipment depending on budget and type of tank (eg sps/lps/mixed/fowlr). For me if you have a 75 and want bigger then at leaset 125-150 minimum to feel different. Anything less then 125 wouldnt really be significantly bigger then a 75.

Good manufacturers for noncustom tanks: Innovate Marine, Cade, and Waterbox. Could also do SCA. I’d personally do a int ext or cade. Some people dont like Int stands but they are solid and well made.

Custom tanks: glasscages (8-12 week lead time), miracles (~12 week) reef saavy (8+ month). Depends on budget but glasscages and miracles are both top rated. Reef saavy is generally regarded as the best but lead time is 8-12months. It is also the most expensive but you get what you pay for.

Some decent measurement would be 48x24x22-23. Or you could do 60x24x22. Basically 4’ or 5’ wide with some depth. Or you could go long and semi narrow.

Equipment: all budget driven imo.
Top brands: royal exclusiv, abyzz, panta rhei etc
Budget brands: jebao, etc

I would do: neptune control, ecotech lights with reefbrite xho or ai blade for shading (if doing sps dominated)/mps/return. For other products/reactors: avast, deltec, geo are top notch. But there are so many things to consider.

 

[thomas_neil]

There are so many options for tanks and equipment depending on budget and type of tank (eg sps/lps/mixed/fowlr). For me if you have a 75 and want bigger then at leaset 125-150 minimum to feel different. Anything less then 125 wouldnt really be significantly bigger then a 75.

Good manufacturers for noncustom tanks: Innovate Marine, Cade, and Waterbox. Could also do SCA. I’d personally do a int ext or cade. Some people dont like Int stands but they are solid and well made.

Custom tanks: glasscages (8-12 week lead time), miracles (~12 week) reef saavy (8+ month). Depends on budget but glasscages and miracles are both top rated. Reef saavy is generally regarded as the best but lead time is 8-12months. It is also the most expensive but you get what you pay for.

Some decent measurement would be 48x24x22-23. Or you could do 60x24x22. Basically 4’ or 5’ wide with some depth. Or you could go long and semi narrow.

Equipment: all budget driven imo.
Top brands: royal exclusiv, abyzz, panta rhei etc
Budget brands: jebao, etc

I would do: neptune control, ecotech lights with reefbrite xho or ai blade for shading (if doing sps dominated)/mps/return. For other products/reactors: avast, deltec, geo are top notch. But there are so many things to consider.

Thanks for all the information. I've been looking at the IM 150/170s INT/EXT but I'm not sure they would fit through my door. I really do like the deep front to back tanks. I might look into custom, maybe I could do a long tank tall tank thats not as deep. My only concern with that is the scape.

Budget I was thinking 12k-15k for tank and equipment. I want to get quality over quantity. My current setup was more of a budget and I was constantly replacing equipment as it failed. I want to spend the money up front and get dependable equipment.

For the inhabitants like I said above I want to keep my foxface and get a tang. Probably some sort or wrasse, a goby or 2, flame hawk fish, 2 designer clowns, might keep the chromis or trade them in and get 3 anthias, file fish, and probably some assorted small fish.

For the coral I really want to try and do a mixed reef. I'm leaning towards a peninsula with all the SPS back by the return where ill have the most flow with the wave makers/return pump. then up towards the front of the tank do all my lps/softies where it has less flow/divided away from the sps enough that I can lower the intensity of the lights above it.

I'm trying to get a good grasp on what is actually needed for a good, higher quality set up. I want this tank to be the center piece of our basement.

 

[RedoubtReef]

I'd go 60x30x24 if money was no object.

 

[jmoneyyy703]

you should be okay at 12-15 all in tank and equipment. It would involve some used buys.

If you can do 60x30x23/24 that would be good size. Check glasscages for price. Probably 8-10k with stand. Use the remaining money for equipment. You can get mp 40s x4, xr30 g6 x2 used or new from forums cheaper. Or you could do reefi uno 2.0 pro x2 or 3. Skimmer id do ultrareef 180. For sump georeef with roller/reactors would be nice.

 

[thomas_neil]

So I was actually pricing up glass cages. Looks like there estimate is $6140 for a glass tank with perimeter bracing 60x30x24 with a stand. The IM made to order EXT 170 with the stand is $3425 and is 59x30x21.

Is the extra for the glass cages worth it? Or would putting the $3k in savings doing the IM into new gear be better?

 

[jmoneyyy703]

I personally done both, but ended up going custom because i wanted specifics. If you want to maxmize budget then int is great (make sure you do ext). The extra money could do equipment because if you get all the gadgets its expensive. Int has neat sumps too but i like rollers. I think its a maybe to add after market in their new sump. Could also buy custom georeef sump to go with int. Thats a great option.

 

[jmoneyyy703]

I plan to create a build thread on my new tank once all setup. I went a little overboard but it my mini dream build.

 

[blaxsun]

Just based on my own experience, I'd get the largest tank you can comfortably fit down the stairs (my tank is in the basement as well). I went with a 200-gallon Red Sea but I only had one 90° turn and then it was smooth sailing.

 

[thomas_neil]

Just based on my own experience, I'd get the largest tank you can comfortably fit down the stairs (my tank is in the basement as well). I went with a 200-gallon Red Sea but I only had one 90° turn and then it was smooth sailing.

I originally wanted to do a 200 but I think it would be to tight with a 6' tank. Have 2 90s a moving company would have to make, one at the top and one at the bottom. I think 5' might end up being my max so I want to keep it as deep and tall as I can.

 

[thomas_neil]

Thanks for everyone's help. I might put it off another year to save up a bigger budget and have a better plan to fully maximize the space I have to be able to do everything I want to do.

 

[blaxsun]

I originally wanted to do a 200 but I think it would be to tight with a 6' tank. Have 2 90s a moving company would have to make, one at the top and one at the bottom. I think 5' might end up being my max so I want to keep it as deep and tall as I can.

I wanted a 7' so the 6' was a compromise (sounds like the 5' might be a good size for you). Definitely get a few of those moving blankets/pads to set the tank down on and suction cups are a must. Also, if you can find a mover that specializes in aquariums it's worth the extra $$.

 

[Devaji]

my 2 cents.

the build to order innovative marine tanks are the best bang for your buck IMHO.
black friday sales are right around the corner that makes 'em even better deal.

I have there 200 peninsula 70x30x22 great tank. granted it no wet yet. love the APS atand and tank quality.
it take 12-16 weeks to get it to your door. so that give you now till march-ish to sort out the basement.

if you want the easiest tank to get down there you could do a DIY plywood build then you're only carrying one pice of glass. IDK just an idea there's lots of info out there on how to build them.

but i agree what was said above go the bigest tyou can get down there and afford.

glass cages was a real close 2nd option for me. so price them out too. they have a nice tank build calculator that is fun to dream about and play with ideas.

good luck!

 

[RedoubtReef]

Is acrylic an option for you?

 

[Doctorgori]

If you got 12 - 15 K I’d find a large Red Sea (or similar brand) , entire package and get a Neptune package in tandem…
You might still be able to catch that person selling Tonga Rock on R2R right now as that will short circuit so many issues, too many to list …
If not I’d get some real Tampa rock and forego the corals and fish for 6-9 mo’s while you check under rocks/pull out pest, IMO this strategy is worth it

 

[thomas_neil]

Is acrylic an option for you?

I’ve never had an acrylic tank, but from what I’ve researched I think I’d want to stick with glass just for longevity.

 

[thomas_neil]

If you got 12 - 15 K I’d find a large Red Sea (or similar brand) , entire package and get a Neptune package in tandem…
You might still be able to catch that person selling Tonga Rock on R2R right now as that will short circuit so many issues, too many to list …
If not I’d get some real Tampa rock and forego the corals and fish for 6-9 mo’s while you check under rocks/pull out pest, IMO this strategy is worth it

I was considering doing Tampa rock. I’ve seen a lot of the cool stuff that people get as freebies living in the rock

 

[thomas_neil]

my 2 cents.

the build to order innovative marine tanks are the best bang for your buck IMHO.
black friday sales are right around the corner that makes 'em even better deal.

I have there 200 peninsula 70x30x22 great tank. granted it no wet yet. love the APS atand and tank quality.
it take 12-16 weeks to get it to your door. so that give you now till march-ish to sort out the basement.

if you want the easiest tank to get down there you could do a DIY plywood build then you're only carrying one pice of glass. IDK just an idea there's lots of info out there on how to build them.

but i agree what was said above go the bigest tyou can get down there and afford.

glass cages was a real close 2nd option for me. so price them out too. they have a nice tank build calculator that is fun to dream about and play with ideas.

good luck!

I was thinking that too. I was considering just getting tank and sump now, going fowlr for a year or so, then getting everything to make it a reef.

I think it’s going to be hard to beat the IM made to order prices. I was thinking about it earlier too when I redo the basement get rid of the door and be able to get something maybe a bit bigger

 

[Devaji]

I was thinking that too. I was considering just getting tank and sump now, going fowlr for a year or so, then getting everything to make it a reef.

I think it’s going to be hard to beat the IM made to order prices. I was thinking about it earlier too when I redo the basement get rid of the door and be able to get something maybe a bit bigger

that is waht I am dooing with my 200. I have always wanted a FOWLR so I am gonna do that for a while. fish only can be cool too.

i agree it's hard to beat the IM made to order prices right now. of course i did want to go bigger something in the 300 gal. but it was goona be double the price.

I think they are still doing there tank and stand only combo you could use your 75 for the sump. I would check the fit. kinda hard to beet the 40br sump tho. if you go with the bigger tanks one could do 2X 40br for the sump. IDK just a crazy idea. i went ahead and grabed the 75gal IM sump combo deal it was hard to beat the price of the sump with the tank.

best of luck bud and happy reefing

 

[thomas_neil]

that is waht I am dooing with my 200. I have always wanted a FOWLR so I am gonna do that for a while. fish only can be cool too.

i agree it's hard to beat the IM made to order prices right now. of course i did want to go bigger something in the 300 gal. but it was goona be double the price.

I think they are still doing there tank and stand only combo you could use your 75 for the sump. I would check the fit. kinda hard to beet the 40br sump tho. if you go with the bigger tanks one could do 2X 40br for the sump. IDK just a crazy idea. i went ahead and grabed the 75gal IM sump combo deal it was hard to beat the price of the sump with the tank.

best of luck bud and happy reefing

I think I want to go with a geos sump. I was planning on using my 75 for a qt since I currently just use a 20 gallon for that.