Whats been easiest, Nano, Medium or large sized tank?

[TommyDave0291]

I've had small tanks from 20 gallons up to 150 gallon. My 150 by far has been the easiest to maintain and keep corals and fish healthy and thriving. I some times wonder if its the size or the experience that has made me more successful as I have upgraded. Whats your experiences?

 

[CNDReef]

Water volume matters.
My current tank is the smallest I’ve ever had ( 29 biocube) and is the one I’ve had most issues keeping things stable. You cough the wrong way and something goes off lol

 

[Ron Reefman]

I've been from a 35g stand alone tank up to 4 tanks at one time (180g &75g sharing a 180g sump and a 65g & 25g sharing a 120g sump) and back down to a 50g cube with a 40g sump. The big tanks are more stable in terms of water parameters. But the dosing and top off and water changes... oh, and leaks are all bigger jobs. I have about 15 years in the hobby and my current 50g cube & 40g sump/refugium are by far the easiest system I've ever dealt with. I'm betting it's way more about the experience than the size of the tank!

 

[andrewkw]

It really depends what you consider easy.
A 150 gallon tank you can maintain much easier through dosing and other equipment (protein skimmer ect). A larger water volume will also hold it's heat and heat up slower.
A 1 gallon tank you should never have to test it for anything other than a baseline because you can just change 100% of the water carrying the tank over to the sink or draining it with airline.

I've had 2-180 gallons and in some ways the 2 gallon was the easiest but the 180 was my tank of least concern since nothing fast was going to happen.

 

[CNDReef]

On my local forum ( BRS ) I always recommend newbies the largest tank they can afford ( that’s including all the equipment) for the sole reason of stability. Biggest problem with new reefers is definitely stability. I’ve been in the hobby for 14 years and this is by far the most time consuming tank I’ve had.

 

[cpschult]

I spend way less money and time on my 25 gallon (15 gallons water) than I did on my 125 gallon.

Things do fluctuate quicker in my 25 gallon but god maintaining it is so much cheaper and easier!! (Also, you ever try buying corals for a 125 gallon?? Lol$$$)

 

[fish farmer]

Things do fluctuate quicker in my 25 gallon but god maintaining it is so much cheaper and easier!! (Also, you ever try buying corals for a 125 gallon?? Lol$$$)

I started my first reef in 2000.....a 38 gallon...when everyone was saying start with a 75 because of stability. Being able to do water changes with a 5 gallon bucket is awesome. I also lived in an upstairs apartment. I had the 38 dialed in great with dripping kalk and one other additive. I didn't have heat issues at the time. I upgraded to a 55 and ran it similar to the 38 gal and I just started having problems, mostly algae related, it did have a heat wave crash soon after setup and I could never get it looking as good as the 38. I upgraded to a 65, some new rock, but my life went down a different path and the water changes, kalk dripping went away and it housed mostly fish, a couple of corals and aiptasia.

I made the decision to downgrade to a 29 gal, due to being able to do water changes in a 5 gallon bucket again and back to dripping kalk. FWIW I've neglected the 29 for a while to where it becomes a mess, but mushrooms, palys, colt and nepthia seem to like living in a swamp. I've been able to turn things around quicker in a smaller tank than a larger one. I always have a WC on hand for an emergency. I can also reach places with my hand to pick stuff up. I maintain a 110 FOWLR and you need a step ladder and tongs to reach in there.

All of these tanks did have extra volume due to a sump of some kind. I've never run an all in one setup.

It would interesting to know the folks who say the bigger are easier, have more bells and whistles and the space to house such equipment to make it easier. I'm sure my small setup would be easier and more stable with more support equipment.

 

[larryl]

I have had many tanks throughout the years. Biocubes, and then the standard 29,65,120,165,45 cube, 50 breeder and a 46 bowfront. I preferred the 45 cube and the 50 breeder where my favorites due to the small water changes, equipment cost and not a lot of glass to clean.

 

[Captain Quint]

Great thread going.

I've run the gambit of sizes from 5g to TWV of 425g over 4o years now.

I thoroughly enjoy my custom built 65g from G.C. with a stand I built and trigger sump/fuge. Simple upkeep, constant parameters and not having to spend 5 or six hours I had to do on the 425g.

I'm just too old to do that now.