Torn between two tanks! What to keep?

[JCSReefing]

I have been struggling with a decision on what tank to keep as my wife ONLY will allow me to have 1.
The story goes;
Have a 70g oceanic center overflow starfire front, has it set up for 3yrs and everything healthy and was looking great.
Sold the house and moved in with in laws till new house was ready. So, broke down the 70g and purchased a innovative marine nuvo fusion 40g for so called temp tank and built a stand. Ran a tunze 9004 skimmer and a deluxe reactor with gfo and carbon. Took about a month or so to really settle in and started to look good and parimiters were good (did lose a yellow eyes tang) but other than that seemed very healthy and did like the look of the rimless.
In the meantime I had my oceanic rimmed 70g tank re siliconed to black rather than clear and spent about 250$ on a Skimz sump for some upgrades while it was empty and not in use.
New house was ready after about 4-5 months and set up the 70g upstairs in my game room. Put the Rock and sand and corals and what not and then had to go on vacation for 13 days. Came back to a tank absolutely covered in green hair alge. I MEAN COVERED. So I got to scrubbing and removing and washing filter socks, multiple water changes and bout a heck of a clean up crew and have seemed to have it someone resolved except for some in the overflow(need to find a way to scrub/pull it out).
Tank has been up and running for a total of about 1-2 months and started to see one of my frog spawns head has I believed died and just the skeleton head left(other heads seem ok; for now). Thing is, I look back on my pictures of my 40g and say dang, looks pretty sweet. Now I have my re did 70g up and love the space and volume but can't decide if my tank is crashing or is it just because it went through a heck of a move and transformation with sand and rock a lighting and what not?? I will post some pics and really would love to know everyone's thoughts as I would just go back to the nuvo 40g but have spend a decent about having this 70g redone and new sump and pump and would suck to just toss in the towel on it if it will eventually level out and look fantastic with the extra water volume OR go back to the nuvo which was less maintenance and rimless and seemed like corals were actually looking better and healthier?? Please give any advice is more than welcome! Here are some pics of the nuvo and my current 70g.

Thanks

 

[Untamedrose]

Sounds to me you really pushed it any tank no matter the size is going to need serious attention after a move. And to POOF 2 weeks gone no idea who you put in charge of it?
Of course its going to have issues.

Though from the photos it looks like you have the correct amount of rocks in the 40 gal...and not nearly enough in the 70 unless you have some hidden in the sump system.

 

[fab]

Keep the peace. Keep the wife.

Shut down the 70 gal. Clean it out, clean it up and stash it somewhere til you move into your new house. Meanwhile do a first rate job on the 40 gal tank so it keeps looking great.

At the same time don't spend so much time on it that your wife feels like she is playing second fiddle to your fish hobby. Try to do your tank work when she is not around. Let all this show your wife that you are sensible about not overextending yourself in the hobby, particularly in this time of such significant transitions. Let it also show you are sensitive to her needs. Remember you are in her parents' home for now. You will need the brownie points.

Don't push setting up the 70 again in till well after you have moved into your new house and have dealt with all the trials and tribulations of getting it organized the way SHE likes it. All the while remember to use this phrase frequently, more frequently..."Yes Dear"... even when you don't think you should have to, particularly then.

Also, bear in mind that setting up in a new home involves a lot of surprise start up expenses that probably have not been budgeted yet. That can create a conflict between getting settled in your new home and your hobby. That is a conflict you want to avoid. That kind of conflict would become devisive between you and your wife. Believe me, the hobby will lose in that conflict.

You have a whole lifetime before you to get that 70 gal tank set up again and set up really nicely. Be patient and wise about when you elect to do it. Wait and wait and wait until the time is right and then do it with your wife's blessings.

Good luck with all this transition. It isn't easy, but it will have been worth it when you finally are settled into your new home.

Good luck,
fab

 

[Untamedrose]

Sorry feminist kicked in...
He's got a right to a hobby of his own. Within reason of household budgets....sure she has her thing as well. Best is they Both enjoy the tank but

I think the balance is off on in the bio load in the 70gal with a move and a move and a vacation ...course it's off... if thats what he's hoping for lets figure that out whats wrong there. It's not like he's got to go Buy a whole new tank and things

 

[JCSReefing]

Keep the peace. Keep the wife.

Shut down the 70 gal. Clean it out, clean it up and stash it somewhere til you move into your new house. Meanwhile do a first rate job on the 40 gal tank so it keeps looking great.

At the same time don't spend so much time on it that your wife feels like she is playing second fiddle to your fish hobby. Try to do your tank work when she is not around. Let all this show your wife that you are sensible about not overextending yourself in the hobby, particularly in this time of such significant transitions. Let it also show you are sensitive to her needs. Remember you are in her parents' home for now. You will need the brownie points.

Don't push setting up the 70 again in till well after you have moved into your new house and have dealt with all the trials and tribulations of getting it organized the way SHE likes it. All the while remember to use this phrase frequently, more frequently..."Yes Dear"... even when you don't think you should have to, particularly then.

Also, bear in mind that setting up in a new home involves a lot of surprise start up expenses that probably have not been budgeted yet. That can create a conflict between getting settled in your new home and your hobby. That is a conflict you want to avoid. That kind of conflict would become devisive between you and your wife. Believe me, the hobby will lose in that conflict.

You have a whole lifetime before you to get that 70 gal tank set up again and set up really nicely. Be patient and wise about when you elect to do it. Wait and wait and wait until the time is right and then do it with your wife's blessings.

Good luck with all this transition. It isn't easy, but it will have been worth it when you finally are settled into your new home.

Good luck,
fab

My 70g IS the tank that is currently set back up in my new house?

 

[The Rook]

I'd wipe it out and put in fresh dry rock and sand. Start it slowly and build a sweet reef.

 

[Triggreef]

The key to happiness is finding what your wife loves most, then acting like you hate it. Don't over do it, but when she whines about your tank, bring up her thing. Eventually you will come to agreement to where she leaves your hobby along, you leave hers alone. Then everything works out, within reason.

For me it was cable TV and bowling. I leave those things alone... free reign with my fish hobby. Perfect balance.

 

[Triggreef]

Wow that first line sound a little harsh. Lol

 

[JCSReefing]

I think there is some confusion on maybe my post not sure?? Right now I went from my 40g nuvo fusion and moved into my new home where I set back up my 70g which is currently running. I am trying to get some advice and input if Keeping the 70g up and running and hope things level out and start to get healthy again once the "dust" settles per say or, should I go back to my nuvo which I was having good success for the few months it was up? I understand it's a personal preference sorta but was just wondering "long term" what y'all think in the long run would be more beneficial and a better reef over all? Even if my tank ends up crashing!

 

[The Rook]

Larger is definitely more stable in the long term.

 

[xctorrez]

I like the look of the smaller tank. Aquascape looks better without the center overflow seen on the 70. I am also partial to rimless. Smaller tank looks much nicer imo

 

[Lab_Adam]

Try being a man and keeping both.

 

[Twoods84]

I just ordered the fusion 40, I love the look of it

 

[Chris Adams]

Stick with the 70gl. The IM are great but if you are a coral nut you will out grow it. Also 70 gives you more fish options.
Obviously you had success with the 40 so there is no reason you can't do the same on the 70.
Instead of putting money into keeping 2 systems running now you have double the money you have to spend on this 1 and upgraded equipment, lights, reactors etc etc..

Although she needs to understand you will need a qt tank for any purchases(coral or fish)