40 gallon breeder vs 75 gallon

apatz01 · 01/01/2014, 02:42 AM

I currently have a 75 gallon corner overflow in the garage but im considering getting rid of that and getting a 40 breeder. I am concerned with the weight of the 75 but im sure I could reinforce the floor throught the basement.

First question would be would there be a big price difference in maintaining between the two? ie. Equipment

Could you give me some advantages and disadvantages of both this is my first big build. Now that I have 8gal cube doing great I have the itch for something bigger.

Can I get some setup suggestions

Thanks in advance

living_waters · 01/01/2014, 04:48 AM

i just went from 36 to a 75 it will give you so much more options for fish and real estate for corals allthough the initial start up will be a bit more pricey, in the long run it will be the same.....as for cost, water changes i do 5g a week on the 36 and i will do 5g a week on the 75 as well the only other thing would prob be dosing cost if you get enough demanding corals and your electricity bill might be slightly higher.

Saltydrip · 01/01/2014, 09:51 AM

First off.. How old is your house? Can you go to the basement and get us a few pics of the area you want to put the tank? It will be easy to see if your flooring can handle it. I have a 75 with a 55 for a sump. I kept it on an outside wall so I knew the weight was as close to the supporting structure of the floor. I seriously doubt a 75 will be too much weight. It's once you get into the 100s that you get into the danger zone.

albertan22 · 01/01/2014, 10:42 AM

Be very careful taking advice on how much load your floor can take by people off the internet. No one here has anything to loose if your aquarium falls through your main floor into your basement except you. As such, you'll get all sorts of opinions on the matter. That said, there are a few things that you can do to minimize the risk and provide the best support for your tank:

1)Figure out which ways the floor joists go and place your tank perpendicular to them, so that the tank stand is supported by as many joists as possible.

2)Place the tank against a load bearing wall or an exterior wall (while still crossing joists if possible).

3)Install some joist hangars and spars between joists under the tank (before tank placement/filling it) to distribute the load between multiple joists.

4)Install jack posts in your basement.

A lot of the stuff I've listed above may be overkill for what you're intending on setting up, but not knowing your home like you do, and not being an engineer, I'm not in a position to tell you how much is enough for your situation. If you're really concerned about it, talk to an engineer.

In regards to your original question regarding a 40 vs 75... Well, lets just say that in the reefing world bigger is always better, and you'll probably regret not setting up the 75 within a year of setting it up if my experience serves

bcfd144 · 01/01/2014, 10:45 AM

I would think you would be fine if your just doing a 75 gallon. Esp if you put it on a outer wall. I have a 93 gallon and the same thing,,,, basement and such.. No problem what so ever.

bcfd144 · 01/01/2014, 10:46 AM

I also have a 200 gallon and 360 gallon on my main floor, but I did put supports under those.

QuackAttack · 01/01/2014, 11:08 AM

You can't really get advice from others as it's such a personal preference. I have a 40B and wouldn't go larger if someone brought the entire tank into my house all set up and ready to go lol. No thanks! I LOVE the smaller sized tanks. It's not even the cost of stocking and maintaining, it's just my personal preference. Same, I'm sure, that there are dozens of folks who feel the exact opposite. There's no right or wrong way...take a good look at both tanks and envision what you want and where it will fit in your house.

Tuton · 01/01/2014, 11:21 AM

How long have you been in the hobby???
The larger tank will be easier to maintain, give you more options for fish/corals, but be slightly more expensive to run.....

Saltydrip · 01/01/2014, 11:22 AM

I told him to post pics and get us an age on his house so we can get propper info. If it's newer construction he should have no problem.

apatz01 · 01/01/2014, 11:27 AM

Thanks for the info all. Tuton I started keeping saltwater back in june. The spot where the tank will be set up will be perpendicular to the joists also on a load bearing wall. Im thinking I might run the 75 but put the 55 I have in the basement for a sump. And get a good return pump

apatz01 · 01/01/2014, 11:29 AM

Salty tge house was built in the 60s I think the joists look pretty solid cant really take a pic of it with the false ceiling dont want to tare it up until I decide where tge tank is going

01/01/2014, 02:42 AM	#1
apatz01 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 22	40 gallon breeder vs 75 gallon I currently have a 75 gallon corner overflow in the garage but im considering getting rid of that and getting a 40 breeder. I am concerned with the weight of the 75 but im sure I could reinforce the floor throught the basement. First question would be would there be a big price difference in maintaining between the two? ie. Equipment Could you give me some advantages and disadvantages of both this is my first big build. Now that I have 8gal cube doing great I have the itch for something bigger. Can I get some setup suggestions Thanks in advance

01/01/2014, 09:51 AM	#3
Saltydrip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,826	First off.. How old is your house? Can you go to the basement and get us a few pics of the area you want to put the tank? It will be easy to see if your flooring can handle it. I have a 75 with a 55 for a sump. I kept it on an outside wall so I knew the weight was as close to the supporting structure of the floor. I seriously doubt a 75 will be too much weight. It's once you get into the 100s that you get into the danger zone. __________________ Current tank 48" 75g DT w/ 55g sump/fuge.

01/01/2014, 10:45 AM	#5
bcfd144 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Springfield MO Posts: 55	I would think you would be fine if your just doing a 75 gallon. Esp if you put it on a outer wall. I have a 93 gallon and the same thing,,,, basement and such.. No problem what so ever. __________________ Mark Current Tank Info: which one :)

01/01/2014, 10:46 AM	#6
bcfd144 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Springfield MO Posts: 55	I also have a 200 gallon and 360 gallon on my main floor, but I did put supports under those. __________________ Mark Current Tank Info: which one :)

01/01/2014, 11:21 AM	#8
Tuton Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 348	How long have you been in the hobby??? The larger tank will be easier to maintain, give you more options for fish/corals, but be slightly more expensive to run..... __________________ "In this hobby nothing good happens fast" Tank Info: 55 Gallon Mixed Reef, 20 gallon sump

01/01/2014, 04:48 AM	#2
living_waters Moved On Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: coral springs fl Posts: 424	i just went from 36 to a 75 it will give you so much more options for fish and real estate for corals allthough the initial start up will be a bit more pricey, in the long run it will be the same.....as for cost, water changes i do 5g a week on the 36 and i will do 5g a week on the 75 as well the only other thing would prob be dosing cost if you get enough demanding corals and your electricity bill might be slightly higher.

01/01/2014, 10:42 AM	#4
albertan22 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 83	Be very careful taking advice on how much load your floor can take by people off the internet. No one here has anything to loose if your aquarium falls through your main floor into your basement except you. As such, you'll get all sorts of opinions on the matter. That said, there are a few things that you can do to minimize the risk and provide the best support for your tank: 1)Figure out which ways the floor joists go and place your tank perpendicular to them, so that the tank stand is supported by as many joists as possible. 2)Place the tank against a load bearing wall or an exterior wall (while still crossing joists if possible). 3)Install some joist hangars and spars between joists under the tank (before tank placement/filling it) to distribute the load between multiple joists. 4)Install jack posts in your basement. A lot of the stuff I've listed above may be overkill for what you're intending on setting up, but not knowing your home like you do, and not being an engineer, I'm not in a position to tell you how much is enough for your situation. If you're really concerned about it, talk to an engineer. In regards to your original question regarding a 40 vs 75... Well, lets just say that in the reefing world bigger is always better, and you'll probably regret not setting up the 75 within a year of setting it up if my experience serves

01/01/2014, 11:08 AM	#7
QuackAttack Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 43	You can't really get advice from others as it's such a personal preference. I have a 40B and wouldn't go larger if someone brought the entire tank into my house all set up and ready to go lol. No thanks! I LOVE the smaller sized tanks. It's not even the cost of stocking and maintaining, it's just my personal preference. Same, I'm sure, that there are dozens of folks who feel the exact opposite. There's no right or wrong way...take a good look at both tanks and envision what you want and where it will fit in your house.

01/01/2014, 11:22 AM	#9
Saltydrip Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,826	I told him to post pics and get us an age on his house so we can get propper info. If it's newer construction he should have no problem. __________________ Current tank 48" 75g DT w/ 55g sump/fuge.

01/01/2014, 11:27 AM	#10
apatz01 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 22	Thanks for the info all. Tuton I started keeping saltwater back in june. The spot where the tank will be set up will be perpendicular to the joists also on a load bearing wall. Im thinking I might run the 75 but put the 55 I have in the basement for a sump. And get a good return pump

01/01/2014, 11:29 AM	#11
apatz01 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 22	Salty tge house was built in the 60s I think the joists look pretty solid cant really take a pic of it with the false ceiling dont want to tare it up until I decide where tge tank is going