To upgrade or not upgrade my tank... your input is requested

Savas · 05/05/2010, 10:42 AM

I have maintained two Aquapod 24's for the last 5 years with good success. I love the size of the tanks and all-in-one look. I recently was offered a new Marineland 47 gallon tank (20-3/16"L x 18-3/16"W x 63-5/16"H) and stand for $150. I like the size as it fits the space of my current AP24. I would also like to build the false back panel to meet my needs (power head placement) and allow for my chiller to be better integrated than it is in in the AP24. I would also like to upgrade my light to Sunlight Supply Reef Optix 3 Plus 250W Double Ended HQI Reflector.
So here are my questions: is the height a benefit or a detriment? Assuming I keep the same live rock, corals, and fish, am I gaining anything other than just more gallons? How is my lighting choice - is there anything that is more integrated? Are there other recommendations you would make?
Thank you for your replies. I sincerely appreciate it.

RVANANO · 05/05/2010, 11:02 AM

wait..... a 47 gallon that is 63" high??????!!!!!!! That's over 5 ft tall

greech · 05/05/2010, 11:43 AM

Wow, 63" tall! That is a very deep tank. I would imagine that it will be difficult to perform maintenance on the lower parts of that tank. I also think making it into an ATO by installing a false wall would be a maintenance issue (just think if you drop something down behind the wall or a fish gets back there). If I was to make a go of that tank I would drill it through the back wall or use a HOB overflow.

You would certainly be able to keep a variety of corals with varying light demands but the upper coarls would eventually shade the lower corals (possibly too much). I could see a how a column type aquascape would be very appealing but personally, I would prefer a more cubish/shallower tank if I were looking into a 47 gallon tank.

Not a lighting expert so I can't really help there.

KafudaFish · 05/05/2010, 12:18 PM

I think that maybe an error because that sounds like a 100 gallon tank give or take.

If it is 47 gallons I apologize.

Also not a lighting expert by any means but I don't think a 250 will penetrate enough for anything low in the tank. I would think something like a 1000 watt for that much depth.

Sounds interesting though and would make an interesting reef wall.

Savas · 05/05/2010, 12:37 PM

I just checked the specs and even though that is what they say, I believe the tank is only 32 inches deep. I believe that is the total height with the stand.

vitalik4eva · 05/05/2010, 12:42 PM

not worth it. I've upgraded from a 54 to 72 before and didn't notice a difference. My take on upgrades: unless you at least triple your volume, it's not time yet. For example, after reefkeeping for 2 years my 54 gallon tank is rather small at this point, next upgrade: 210 reef. Now that's where you notice a difference. In your case, go with at least a 75 Gallon if you want to see the difference. Over time, you will accumulate too many gadgets for your 46 that will be useless with a larger tank that you will regret ever buying it. In this hobby there are only two ways: Go big, or sell everything

))

RVANANO · 05/05/2010, 12:44 PM

I would also agree. I upgraded from a 34 Solana to a 120 and already want to go 250

greech · 05/05/2010, 12:49 PM

That makes sense. Lighting shoud not be as big of a concern then but IMO an almost 3' high tank is still going to present some challenges (particularly the AIO part). It would be a cool tank though and not something you see very often.

footballdude2k3 · 05/05/2010, 01:11 PM

i agree that it would be nice to fit in the same space and it would be different, however, if you are not adding rock then your bioload would technically be the same i think. also if it is that tall i would personally want a wider tank, you can fit more in a wide tank than a tall tank coral wise.

prickles · 05/05/2010, 11:46 PM

[QUOTE=vitalik4eva;17057974]not worth it. I've upgraded from a 54 to 72 before and didn't notice a difference. [QUOTE]

I fully agree. Don't stress out your critters for such a small upgrade. If you are going to do it, watch craigslist and go bigger. I went from both a 110 and 125 to a 300 and regret not going bigger.

05/05/2010, 10:42 AM	#1
Savas Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Maryland / St. Thomas once a month Posts: 764	To upgrade or not upgrade my tank... your input is requested I have maintained two Aquapod 24's for the last 5 years with good success. I love the size of the tanks and all-in-one look. I recently was offered a new Marineland 47 gallon tank (20-3/16"L x 18-3/16"W x 63-5/16"H) and stand for $150. I like the size as it fits the space of my current AP24. I would also like to build the false back panel to meet my needs (power head placement) and allow for my chiller to be better integrated than it is in in the AP24. I would also like to upgrade my light to Sunlight Supply Reef Optix 3 Plus 250W Double Ended HQI Reflector. So here are my questions: is the height a benefit or a detriment? Assuming I keep the same live rock, corals, and fish, am I gaining anything other than just more gallons? How is my lighting choice - is there anything that is more integrated? Are there other recommendations you would make? Thank you for your replies. I sincerely appreciate it. __________________ If you can get your wife hooked into reef keeping, you can spend all the money you want! Current Tank Info: 24 gallon Aquapod Nanotuners 4.32 T-5 lighting upgrade; 24 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting; 12 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting.

05/05/2010, 11:43 AM	#3
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	Wow, 63" tall! That is a very deep tank. I would imagine that it will be difficult to perform maintenance on the lower parts of that tank. I also think making it into an ATO by installing a false wall would be a maintenance issue (just think if you drop something down behind the wall or a fish gets back there). If I was to make a go of that tank I would drill it through the back wall or use a HOB overflow. You would certainly be able to keep a variety of corals with varying light demands but the upper coarls would eventually shade the lower corals (possibly too much). I could see a how a column type aquascape would be very appealing but personally, I would prefer a more cubish/shallower tank if I were looking into a 47 gallon tank. Not a lighting expert so I can't really help there. __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

05/05/2010, 12:37 PM	#5
Savas Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Maryland / St. Thomas once a month Posts: 764	I just checked the specs and even though that is what they say, I believe the tank is only 32 inches deep. I believe that is the total height with the stand. __________________ If you can get your wife hooked into reef keeping, you can spend all the money you want! Current Tank Info: 24 gallon Aquapod Nanotuners 4.32 T-5 lighting upgrade; 24 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting; 12 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting.

05/05/2010, 12:49 PM	#8
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	That makes sense. Lighting shoud not be as big of a concern then but IMO an almost 3' high tank is still going to present some challenges (particularly the AIO part). It would be a cool tank though and not something you see very often. __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

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05/05/2010, 11:02 AM	#2
RVANANO SWAGON Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,404	wait..... a 47 gallon that is 63" high??????!!!!!!! That's over 5 ft tall

05/05/2010, 12:18 PM	#4
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	I think that maybe an error because that sounds like a 100 gallon tank give or take. If it is 47 gallons I apologize. Also not a lighting expert by any means but I don't think a 250 will penetrate enough for anything low in the tank. I would think something like a 1000 watt for that much depth. Sounds interesting though and would make an interesting reef wall.

05/05/2010, 12:42 PM	#6
vitalik4eva Moved On Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 96	not worth it. I've upgraded from a 54 to 72 before and didn't notice a difference. My take on upgrades: unless you at least triple your volume, it's not time yet. For example, after reefkeeping for 2 years my 54 gallon tank is rather small at this point, next upgrade: 210 reef. Now that's where you notice a difference. In your case, go with at least a 75 Gallon if you want to see the difference. Over time, you will accumulate too many gadgets for your 46 that will be useless with a larger tank that you will regret ever buying it. In this hobby there are only two ways: Go big, or sell everything ))

05/05/2010, 12:44 PM	#7
RVANANO SWAGON Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,404	I would also agree. I upgraded from a 34 Solana to a 120 and already want to go 250

05/05/2010, 01:11 PM	#9
footballdude2k3 Registered Member. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,974	i agree that it would be nice to fit in the same space and it would be different, however, if you are not adding rock then your bioload would technically be the same i think. also if it is that tall i would personally want a wider tank, you can fit more in a wide tank than a tall tank coral wise.

05/05/2010, 11:46 PM	#10
prickles Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ Posts: 1,138	[QUOTE=vitalik4eva;17057974]not worth it. I've upgraded from a 54 to 72 before and didn't notice a difference. [QUOTE] I fully agree. Don't stress out your critters for such a small upgrade. If you are going to do it, watch craigslist and go bigger. I went from both a 110 and 125 to a 300 and regret not going bigger.