Thinking about adding another aquarium? Then you should know this...

[Freenow54]

Have an established tank that I did not start, just fixed. Now I am starting my own, and have a thread on new tanks. I have everything I need, but the skimmer is not in the tank. I am waiting for the cycle to complete.
I am enjoying the experience, and learning curve seeing how things effect the tank

 

[OlafsReef]

How do folks look at coral and invert QT and fish hospital|QT tanks in addition to their DT?

To me this is already two additional tanks I need to care for outside of my DT. The invert/coral QT requires less work than a DT, but a fair amount, the fish qt requires very little when not in use.

 

[Freenow54]

I see where you ask what you would say to someone starting a tank. Research, research, Research, Slow Slow Slow

 

[gearhead]

I started in a 75gallon had for three years then set up red sea 750xxl thought I would keep the 75 gallon but once I started dealing with both I took down the 75 gallons. the rea sea is on automatic everything two 100 gallon storage tanks in the basement. one fresh one salt for auto top off and auto water changes. the only thing I wish I would have done differently is a basement sump. like people have said the second one will get neglected.

 

[Pistol Peet]

I have 3 aquariums. 200 gallon a 250 gallon and a thirty gallon all set up. Oh yeah I have a backup 55vgallon that's empty. 1vthing to note lots and lots of salt and 1 tank is always lacking a little due to running a business and trying to keep up with maintenance is a painfully pain staking process. You have to be 200 percent dedicated.

 

[gearhead]

I started in a 75gallon had for three years then set up red sea 750xxl thought I would keep the 75 gallon but once I started dealing with both I took down the 75 gallons. the rea sea is on automatic everything two 100 gallon storage tanks in the basement. one fresh one salt for auto top off and auto water changes. the only thing I wish I would have done differently is a basement sump. like people have said the second one will get neglected.

 

[robert teseo]

currently 1 reef tank and 1 fresh water planted, used to have 4 saltwater tanks, before sandy wiped out my lower level

 

[Cmccarthy]

I have a 240 reef, 220 FOWLR, 180 reef to be (setting it up) and then a 40 gallon quarantine tank. Then I have some freshwater tanks. A 75 and two 50 gallon tanks. Half of my basement is a fish room and I love it. If I win the lotto I am building a warehouse so I can have more tanks. Haha. Obsessed

 

[Nhjmc]

I have two a 90 and a 55. The 55 was turned into a reef this year. The 90 been up since 2014 the 55 up since 2016

I have a third thats not mine but I'm in charge of is a 40 breeder. Been up since March 2021.

Have what you are willing to take care. Keep the second stupid simple. If you make it too much you will let it go a little from time to time.

Pro cons. Cons More work more expense.
Pro different corals and fish inverts and such.

Hi - is that like a huge green Nepthea Tree in first picture on left side of tank? That thing is awesome!!

 

[McPuff]

Technically I only have one system... but there are basically two displays connected to it. One of them is in the fish room so it doesn't really count, does it? :0)

 

[midwestreef]

Is 7 too many?.... setting up #8 now! (Frag system)

 

[steakncheese]

I just built a 40 gallon breeder and a QT tank. Does that count as more than one?

 

[SaltCreepReef]

I have a 150G mixed reef, 54G SPS tank, 3 24G frag tanks, 2 35G frag tanks, a 180G SPS tank, and a 135G sump. Also a 3G beta tank, a 70G turtle tank, a crested gecko, 2 australian shepherds, and a 1 and 3 year old...and a bad car habbit.

my recommendation is to get enough tanks to keep the animals and corals you want, and then stop. It gets extremely time consuming and expensive to keep expanding.

 

[lukesnc]

One SW 120 and one FW 55 would like a nano SW but wife won’t let me “yet”

 

[willstruck]

Only one saltwater tank, but I have 4 other freshwater tanks.

same, do you feel that you like fresh or salt more?

 

[ArtsyFish]

Up grading to a 125 from a 57; in the process now. When it's time for everything from the small tank to transfer to the larger, the small tank will go. However, I will always have a 10 gallon QT up and running.

 

[BlueReefer73]

No saltwater tanks for me but I have one freshwater and when I get rid of a bookcase I'll be getting a 20 gallon long. Split it for two bettas and see if I can find a divider that Kuhli loaches can fit through but the bettas can't. After that I will be done.

Given the similar sizes of the fish I’d be interested to see if you can find a solution for this.

 

[djstud]

I have a 75 Gallon Reef and a 16 Gallon Saltwater (that will probably be getting some corals). I have a 240 Gallon South American Cichlid Tank. I have 4 other Freshwater Aquariums in my fish room. I also have 3 Quarantine Tanks (2 saltwater and 1 freshwater).

 

[Gonzomark]

Today I was thinking about how many of us have more than one saltwater reef aquarium and if it's actually a good idea or not. The thought of a brand new tank, with new equipment and a new "clean slate" does seem quite attractive. More coral, more fish, more fun right? Is it a good idea? Today I want to hear from all of you crazies who have more than one aquarium.

1. What would you say to someone who is thinking of setting up a second aquarium?

2. What is one PRO and one CON to setting up a second saltwater tank?


image via @Coastie Reefer

PROS:
You already know the drill (cycling, doing readings, best equipment to use, etc.); you are more likely to do water in bulk; forces you to have ready supplies (salt, chemicals, dips, etc.); I found it handy when you have critters that start to not get along and can transfer them to another ready tank; lets you display multiple habitats-- I have my 35 gallon set up in our main living room with a wider variety of smaller critters, while my 100 gallon is in the lower den closer to my water supply and hosts my tangs and (soon to me more bigger fishies)

CON:
double the testing and water changes; more care when you go out of town for even a few days; need to accommodate difference setups (unless you're lucky and can set up multiple tanks side-by-side and near your water supply); and need I say cost?

 

[Scott Ulrich]

same, do you feel that you like fresh or salt more?

Tough question and likely depends on when you ask and whether I'm having issues with my reef tank at that moment I like the added complexity/challenge of a reef, but I like the cost of equipment/fish/upkeep for freshwater.