Which is cheaper

Drag Racer · 12/04/2008, 03:59 PM

Right now I have a 55 gal tank up and running. Been thinking about down sizing to a smaller tank. Something like a nano tank or a home built tank. Not sure. Is it cheaper to maintain and run a smaller tank or am I asking for more work and money. I know lighting will be cheaper and pumps would be smaller. But am I just better off keeping my big tank running? It will break my heart to have to sell most of my fish. But looking to save a few bucks and get ahead of the credit ball if you know what I mean.

IslandCrow · 12/04/2008, 04:07 PM

More work, but less money. You will certainly save some money (especially in the long term), but nano tanks tend to be more overall work, and are far less forgiving. I have a 46g and a 12g, but I'm afraid I couldn't really give you any numbers as far as cost savings. My approaches to the two tanks are also very different, so it's tough to compare. But if your larger tank is becoming a financial burden, a downgrade is probably a good idea. I'd hate to give up my bigger tank as well, but nanos can be a lot of fun too.

jenglish · 12/04/2008, 04:09 PM

you will save some on your electrical bills, bulb replacement, and water change costs. It depends on how small of a tank you are looking to downgrade to. I think the maintenance costs difference between say a 55 and a 30 are going to be pretty minimal compared to what you have likely already paid for in equipment if you already have a 55 set up. If you are going to a 3 gallon pico tank then your costs would prolly be substantial. You just have to ask what your hobbey is worth to you. It does seem that I see more and more used setups for sale than I used to. HTH

12/04/2008, 03:59 PM	#1
Drag Racer Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Bend, Wi Posts: 1,280	Which is cheaper Right now I have a 55 gal tank up and running. Been thinking about down sizing to a smaller tank. Something like a nano tank or a home built tank. Not sure. Is it cheaper to maintain and run a smaller tank or am I asking for more work and money. I know lighting will be cheaper and pumps would be smaller. But am I just better off keeping my big tank running? It will break my heart to have to sell most of my fish. But looking to save a few bucks and get ahead of the credit ball if you know what I mean. __________________ Why did I start this addictive hobby???????? Its not like I didn't have anything better to do. Link to my DIY HOB Fuge for 4 gallon tank http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1971283 Current Tank Info: 75gal fresh 4 Gallon Pico

12/04/2008, 04:07 PM	#2
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	More work, but less money. You will certainly save some money (especially in the long term), but nano tanks tend to be more overall work, and are far less forgiving. I have a 46g and a 12g, but I'm afraid I couldn't really give you any numbers as far as cost savings. My approaches to the two tanks are also very different, so it's tough to compare. But if your larger tank is becoming a financial burden, a downgrade is probably a good idea. I'd hate to give up my bigger tank as well, but nanos can be a lot of fun too. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

12/04/2008, 04:09 PM	#3
jenglish Marquis de Carabas Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 2,523	you will save some on your electrical bills, bulb replacement, and water change costs. It depends on how small of a tank you are looking to downgrade to. I think the maintenance costs difference between say a 55 and a 30 are going to be pretty minimal compared to what you have likely already paid for in equipment if you already have a 55 set up. If you are going to a 3 gallon pico tank then your costs would prolly be substantial. You just have to ask what your hobbey is worth to you. It does seem that I see more and more used setups for sale than I used to. HTH __________________ Jeremy Brown liquor never hurt anybody “Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse" Pierre-Simon Laplace I should want to cook him a simple meal, but I shouldn't want to cut into him, to tear the flesh, to wear the flesh, to be born unto new worlds where his flesh becomes my key. Current Tank Info: broken and dry