Currently I have a 55 gal tank. I am thinking about selling/trading/buying a smaller to start. 55 gal takes up to much space for me right now. I have had this tank up for about a year now and looking at downgrading, just for the time being though. What is everyone's thoughts?
Thinking about starting over with a smaller tank?
- Thread starter Erick Merfeld
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ifarmer
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Sometimes downside makes perfect sense. I went from 20g to 55g, to 75, to 93 and to 120.
I just downgrade to a 50g cu e sixe and it is perfect for me to keep up with.
Bigger the tank most od the times is a lot of work and very expensive to run.
And like you said, takes up a lot of.space in the house.
I just downgrade to a 50g cu e sixe and it is perfect for me to keep up with.
Bigger the tank most od the times is a lot of work and very expensive to run.
And like you said, takes up a lot of.space in the house.
TheEngineer
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I've downsized several times. I moved quite a bit and a big tank was a hassle to move. I'm in a 50g cube now and I really like it. I can't get all the fish I want, but I can fill it with coral much more easily and the equipment needs are lighter. That means I can buy better equipment.
Erick Merfeld
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Ya I am looking for a nice 20-30gal tank. Much easier on the maintenance and the pocket books lol I am still kinda new to this hobby, only been doing this for about a year. Would it be much easier to learn everything and better understand the hobby with a smaller tank?
Would it be worth getting a sump for a 20gal? or go with a cube with overflow and equipment behind the DT part of the tank? Just looking for suggestions that make it easier to maintain and learn on? Also something that will be easier on the check book.
Thanks in advance!
Would it be worth getting a sump for a 20gal? or go with a cube with overflow and equipment behind the DT part of the tank? Just looking for suggestions that make it easier to maintain and learn on? Also something that will be easier on the check book.
Thanks in advance!
TheEngineer
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Smaller tanks are actually a little harder to maintain. Evaporation from them represents a larger percent volume of the tank. They also have less surface area for bio filtration. I'd go with a sump if you can. The extra water volume will be helpful.
TheEngineer
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I used to have a JBJ nanocube. I liked the tank but the lighting left a lot to be desired. They're probably much better now, but still no sump. Much less evaporation since it it covered though.
Reefermike
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in the same boat thinking of downsize from a 90 to some type of smaller cube or 40 breeder
granocompany
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Just have a look for this one, no filter, skimmer or sump. 2x10w LED and 2.5 w wavemaker and 10 l of water change per month, I have 3 of them: with fish and corals, with LPS and with soft corals
Brian Kim
Color My Reef
I had both JBJ28 and 45. I would suggest staying away from the 28 and biocube 29 for 3 simple reasons.
1) Noise: My JBJ28 cooling fan for the lights were so loud, I could hear them from 2 rooms away.
2) Sump area: They are tight and if you have big hands you won't be able to reach the bottom, also it limits your equipment selection.
3) Lighting: Seen a lot of people adding blue led strips to enhance coral colors, some even remove the hood entirely in order to place a new lighting system.
Both JBJ 30&45 rimless series (AIO) have spacious sump area that accommodates lots of better equipment and runs virtually silent. There's also Innovative Marine that makes similar AIO tanks.
Cad lights, SCA, Red Sea and Elos makes complete systems with sump inside the cabinet/stand and I believe its a better choice since you will be adding more water volume and can use better protein skimmers
1) Noise: My JBJ28 cooling fan for the lights were so loud, I could hear them from 2 rooms away.
2) Sump area: They are tight and if you have big hands you won't be able to reach the bottom, also it limits your equipment selection.
3) Lighting: Seen a lot of people adding blue led strips to enhance coral colors, some even remove the hood entirely in order to place a new lighting system.
Both JBJ 30&45 rimless series (AIO) have spacious sump area that accommodates lots of better equipment and runs virtually silent. There's also Innovative Marine that makes similar AIO tanks.
Cad lights, SCA, Red Sea and Elos makes complete systems with sump inside the cabinet/stand and I believe its a better choice since you will be adding more water volume and can use better protein skimmers
granocompany
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no noise, no sump area no evaporation because of glass lid an corals grow very well
Brian Kim
Color My Reef
you will just need a heater to get it started, then I would suggest getting a thermometer, protein skimmer, auto top off and then turn one of the chambers into a refugium (magnet led light)
