To do Not to Do?

[Jgomez324]

My plan: 2 systems 120g fish only & 40g reef. Or 2 tanks off 1 systems.

Goal:
1. Cut cost on 250w bulbs for a 120g vs LED on a 40.
2. Cut cost on Heating and Cooling 120+ gallons vs a 40g system.
3. Cut cost on dosing a 120 + 40 gallon system.

To do not to do?

1. Run the 40g off the 120g.
2. Run separate systems.

My understanding Fish can handle temperate between (72° to 85°) without running a chiller my tank stayed 78°-84° in the summer and Without a heater 76°-80° in the winter. So that would save me on running a chiller and heater none stop on a fish only right?

If I run both systems together ill be dosing, Heating, cooling lighting over 200g.

So the real question is Will it be cheaper to run 2 tanks separate or 2 tanks off 1 system?


Pros & Con's on doing them either way would be appreciated.

 

[aquamn1999]

I would run them separate. If anything happens in yourfish only systems like ich, etc it will affect your reef and vice versa. Afish only system nitrates can run higher than a reef. When you change water from the reef it can be used toward the replacement waterwhen you do a water change on the fish only. This hobby isn't cheap and if you worried about cost now I would consider doing just the fish only tank or just the reef tank and not both. You can get away with some soft corals in a "fish only tank" like mushrooms, etc.

 

[Jgomez324]

I currently run a 100 mix but want fish that are not reef safe Thats why I want to separate them. I feel u on the it ain't cheap