To upgrade, ot not to upgrade?

[jcolon2]

Hello everybody. I have a 55 gallon tank (which I'd like to be a reef tank). However, I am in the process of contemplating an upgrade. As of yesterday I was getting my dream tank (A 150 gallon tank from a friend) and my mom pulled the plug when she found out how large the tank was (she has a fear of too much weight in a concentrated area). The largest tank she will let walk through the front door is a 75 : / So, let me describe the pros and cons (according to me) and you guys give me your much desired advice.

55 pros: already have a sump/overflow plumbing setup that I built
sand bed already established
Have lots of pods and amphipods established
Nice wooden stand already self-built for the tank- cost me a pretty penny

55 cons: aquascaping is extremely hard to do (I'd like to do a nice island setup)
can't keep the desired fish I'd like
still don't have the proper light setup for this tank (so that could be considered a pro, if I decide to go with a 75 because I could get lights suited best for a 75)

75 pros: Easier to aquascape
could fit a bigger sump in a new stand that I purchase
could keep more fish- I want peaceful fish so I think I could only keep one tang right : / so is this much of a pro?


75 cons:
would have to buy a new stand
would have to either transfer the sand or start a whole new sandbed
would lose my pod population
would have to create all new plumbing for a sump and overflow

In either case, would it be better not to make a canopy for either tank so I could put metal halides in pendants and suspend them over the tank, (since my room gets really hot, and I want to keep sps)?


Thanks in advance and enjoy the holidays :birthday:

Justin

 

[JonnyJ]

Hey Justin,

It really comes down to if you want to spend the money or not. Just realize upgrading will cost you money. If you dont mind spending the money then i say go for it.

The 75 will open more opportunities mainly because of the depth. If i was in your situation I would push for a 90 Gallon 48 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 25 3/8 which is slightly taller than the 75.

 

[Staaan]

If you have the finances.. go for it (I'm even beginning to really search my pockets for this 46g that I'm about to setup)...
but just have to make sure you cover all grounds.
ie - bigger tank normally may require bigger EVERYTHING.

But as for what Johnny said....
just something to keep in mind - the taller the tank, majority of the time more powerful lighting will be need.

In my case... instead of getting a bigger tank, I just went for much better lighting - DIY LEDs fixture. Which wasn't hard to build at all. (And a good part of the reason that T5/MH was going to consume too much electricity for my dad's taste)

I'm sure if you really just sit there and play around with all the LR you have.. you'll be able to figure out a nice aquascape. I noticed especially when you have some one standing behind you and helping you it actually does help a lot.

You can always go buy some more established LR (if you don't like some pieces) and just throw some existing into the sump.

I'm starting to come to the realization that sometimes LESS is MORE in the display.

Sometimes a minimalistic approach looks really nice, and just dumping excess LR into the sump so you don't lose the benefits.

The main thing to really remember though..

The bigger the tank the bigger the bill
(More carbon, more phosphate media, more calcium (if you're going SPS), more mag (ditto), and the list goes on.

In the long run majority of people say that the bigger the tank.. the easier it is to maintain water quality... but I don't think its any easier to take care of, actually just gets harder. You'll probablly even be going through RO membranes a bit faster... haha.

Its hard being a student or just not totally set on your career path and having a reef tank.

Thats just my $2.

Good luck bro.

 

[dubs]

i say go for it the 75 is much better than ur current tank even tho it will cost u money so does everything else in this hobby if it help i can give a whole bunch 3/4" pvc fitting/valve ect to help u save a little but i say go for it if u can u be alot happier later

 

[aznt1217]

I thought you quit the hobby? lol. Anyway...

1. You can keep more than 1 tang in a 55 (lets be reasonable in size expectation and realize you will have to give him/her up)... whether it being "humane" or not is a different story. For those that know me... you know how many fish I keep and what fish I keep in the tank.

2. Most of the cons for your 75 are nonexistent. You will not lose your entire pod population and you can transfer your sandbed (you just have to do it right). You also have to transfer some of your water from your old tank.

3. The question like everybody said above is can you afford it and are you willing to take all that effort into setting up a tank again. For me I went through a period of mania where I did 3 upgrades and 3 new start ups in a period of 6 months. It was expensive and I was never really satisfied. I learned to calm down (kind of) lol. If i remember correctly you are still a student and stuff so definitely consider how much it's going to cost (unless your parents are getting you a nice gift).

4. Your aquascaping issue can be solved... just move some rock out of the DT and into the sump.

5. You can go with the canopy but they are expensive and purely aesthetic.

 

[INNEED]

Try n shoot for a 90 like johnnyj said

 

[pyekhine]

Just for 20g increase, i don't think it is worth it since you already got an established tank. I went from 55g to 125g.

On the other hand, maybe you can use the same equipment that you are using now for the 75g tank. I did the same thing. I kept using the old equipment and upgrade it little by little.

 

[jcolon2]

In a way I do feel it is worthless like everyone is implying to upgrade just to a 75 gallon tank. The 75 is not my dream tank, although it is better than what I have. But if the costs will be elevated singnificantly for something I am not ecstatic over, it isn't worth it. I am very picky so maybe I should stick to the 55 until I can get a 90 or something larger.

 

[bigcapct]

I recently upgraded to a 75 and loving it!

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[richardhmc]

In a way I do feel it is worthless like everyone is implying to upgrade just to a 75 gallon tank. The 75 is not my dream tank, although it is better than what I have. But if the costs will be elevated singnificantly for something I am not ecstatic over, it isn't worth it. I am very picky so maybe I should stick to the 55 until I can get a 90 or something larger.

I'm stuck in the same situation with you right now!

I'm really trying to move on from my 50 gallon tank because if I upgrade, there are so many other fish I can get AND there's more room for corals. However, at the same time, like everybody said, money is an issue. My dream tank is a 180 wide. As much as I can dream, I know I won't be able to afford it.

At the same time, I realize that a bigger tank isn't always very good looking. I'm very picky about how my rock work is laid out. In a big tank, most people just throw in their rocks and make a wall out of their LR. I can't do that, in my opinion its just ugly. I've considered even downgrading to a cleaner, better looking tank like a solana or a rimless tank, however the fact that I will be limited still to the coral and fish I can put in there holds me back.

Just ask yourself this, would 20 extra gallons really make a big difference. Are you happy with your tank right now? In my opinion, just keep it and save until you can make a drastic difference between this 55 and the next tank.

 

[basiab]

It is hard for me to help you , I just have a 24 gallon. You just have to decide if you want the change for 25 more gallons. Losing pods is not really a consideration here and you probably will not lose it all anyway. If you think it is hard to aquiscape 50 gallons, well to me that's no problem.

 

[bigcapct]

Do it do it lol

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[richardhmc]

It is hard for me to help you , I just have a 24 gallon. You just have to decide if you want the change for 25 more gallons. Losing pods is not really a consideration here and you probably will not lose it all anyway. If you think it is hard to aquiscape 50 gallons, well to me that's no problem.

yup, aquascaping I bet is a breeze and looks great in your tank

 

[INNEED]

20gals my not seem alot but its a big diffrence

 

[albano]

20gals may not seem alot, but its a big difference

+1 75g is a much better tank... 50% more floor space!... not as tall, so better for lighting!

:shhh: If mom will allow it, INNEEDS' 90g is really the way to go!

 

[KathyC]

Hey Justin - while I do tend to agree with everyone that a 75 (or 90) is easier to aquascape than a 55 (probably the worst size a person can try and start a reef tank)..I'd have to vote for your keeping the 55 for a while, mainly because you are still a student and you put so much into the current stand.

There are some ways around the aquascaping issue and islands can be created, on a smaller scale, along with a taller structure or two. (PM me first if you want to try this, I will come & help you out ). If you don't have enough rock to do this, spening a little money buying some extra rock could make you fall in love with the current tank all over again

I don't know that you have a chiller yet (don't think you do), but you will definitely need one (or an a/c running 24/7 in the summer) if you want to put MH's on the current - or upgraded tank. So there is a small bundle of $ right there..and you need to pay to run it too.
The upgraded lighting will also cost you - so more $ there...
Bigger tank, larger water changes, so more $ on salt mix

Why not spend the time now to redo the aquascaping, get the lighting you want and let the tank fully establish some more and then when you are ready down the road a little, get a larger tank & stand & sump and you will already have the other pieces (upgraded lighting, chiller ) in placxe and be far more ready to make the move upward

..oh and , yeah just 1 tang in a 75 or 90, especially if you want a peaceful, stressfree tank for your critters

 

[PIOTR]

hey justin - while i do tend to agree with everyone that a 75 (or 90) is easier to aquascape than a 55 (probably the worst size a person can try and start a reef tank)..i'd have to vote for your keeping the 55 for a while, mainly because you are still a student and you put so much into the current stand.

There are some ways around the aquascaping issue and islands can be created, on a smaller scale, along with a taller structure or two. (pm me first if you want to try this, i will come & help you out ). If you don't have enough rock to do this, spening a little money buying some extra rock could make you fall in love with the current tank all over again

i don't know that you have a chiller yet (don't think you do), but you will definitely need one (or an a/c running 24/7 in the summer) if you want to put mh's on the current - or upgraded tank. So there is a small bundle of $ right there..and you need to pay to run it too.
The upgraded lighting will also cost you - so more $ there...
Bigger tank, larger water changes, so more $ on salt mix

why not spend the time now to redo the aquascaping, get the lighting you want and let the tank fully establish some more and then when you are ready down the road a little, get a larger tank & stand & sump and you will already have the other pieces (upgraded lighting, chiller ) in placxe and be far more ready to make the move upward

..oh and , yeah just 1 tang in a 75 or 90, especially if you want a peaceful, stressfree tank for your critters

+1

 

[Lenny718]

I thought you where throwing in the towel? If you decided to stay in the hobby I would upgrade. The 55g is the worst footprint for a reef tank. You could even go smaller and wider. I have a 45g cube that is 24x24 and my fish and corals all have plenty of room.

 

[Imbarrie]

+1 on what Kathy said.

Take your time and be imaginative. And most of all learn more about what you really want. I have a 75 but I know an upgrade is right around the corner. You won't be happy with the 75 if you really want a 150.


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[Brando457]

I upgraded from a 135 to a 180 the extra 6" deep definitely makes a big difference.

Keep in mind if you go bigger you need:

bigger return possible, bigger skimmer, better lights, more powerheads, sump, tank, stand....

factor all those in to your budget.

My upgrade cost me only $500 so far because I was able to resell a lot of my equipment and was smarter and more conscious of buying things used this time.

Used equipment might be the best route I know plateboy on here has a 75g for sale for a reasonable price.