Space problems in new home

ElectronRider · 09/23/2009, 02:56 AM

I currently run a 75 gallon FOWLR at my rental. I have 2 yellow watchman gobies, a pistol shrimp, and 1 maroon clownfish. I also have about 3 different varieties of mushrooms in the tank.

My wife and I just bought a new home, and we really do not have the space for a 75 gallon tank. I am considering downsizing to a 55 gallon. I know that a 55 gallon saltwater tank is a bit small, but aside from an occaisonal mushroom purchase, the tank will never get any more populated.

Is a 55 too small?

DougSupreme · 09/23/2009, 03:08 AM

theres only a 6" difference between a 55 and a 75. If I were you, I would keep the 75.

Gwynhidwy · 09/23/2009, 07:01 AM

I think your current inhabitants would be fine in the smaller tank, but as DougSupreme pointed out, its only a 6" difference.

seapug · 09/23/2009, 08:11 AM

The problem with standard 55 gallon tanks is that they are very narrow, which can make aquascaping and maintenance a real PITA. It will be a definite step down from your 75. If I had to get a smaller tank, I'd personally go with a 40 gallon breeder before a standard 55.

JeF4y · 09/23/2009, 08:42 AM

Or go UP with a Cube! My 60 cube has a LOT of potential for different scapes & life.

Pawky · 09/23/2009, 08:47 AM

A 55 isn't too small, but like everyone else said it is a step down and I doubt that you will be happy.

robs.mark · 09/23/2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JeF4y
Or go UP with a Cube! My 60 cube has a LOT of potential for different scapes & life.

+1 make a different shape tank to fit the area you have. I would say you could go as long as 40g with your inhabitance

DT's_Reef · 09/23/2009, 09:45 AM

I recommend having a tank and stand built to fit the space more efficiently. That way you can have as much volume as possible. I'm not a fan of narrow tanks.

jus10kase · 09/23/2009, 01:01 PM

Maybe a smaller couch instead of a smaller tank!

I had a 55, but hated the narrowness also, had to get someting deeper(front to back).

jason2459 · 09/23/2009, 01:07 PM

LOL love the smaller couch bit above. I can use one of those.

Wife and I just moved into a smaller house. I have a 55g myself and love it but it's still a bit big for this house. We shoved it in a corner of the living room and the couch has to be moved over to get everything to fit. Because of that we really can't use the front door that well as the couch is covering half of the area. Luckily we have a side door that we use all the time.

Priorities! Try and make your current tank fit if you can.

supervdl · 09/23/2009, 02:49 PM

Sell the house again and then learn from mistakes and buy a bigger home. :-)

dwd5813 · 09/23/2009, 04:40 PM

honestly, if a 55 will work, a 75 will too. it's a few inches deeper like mentioned above. the length is the same. put the television in the bedroom and make the tank the focal point of the living area.

ElectronRider · 09/23/2009, 05:15 PM

Well, we are going to keep the 75. After the wife and I went thru the house again, we decided to change all the rooms around, and it will work out fine. Thanks for all the input everyone!

Zestay · 09/23/2009, 07:42 PM

still wrong answer..

when you get a new home your suppose to get an inwall tank
go through the rooms again see which you can turn into a fish room... which kid has to move out early etc etc

mtisc323 · 09/23/2009, 07:49 PM

haha ... exactly, instead of 55, go for 255!

LisaD · 09/23/2009, 07:55 PM

two words - room addition!

Misled · 09/23/2009, 08:28 PM

Stick it in a corner

Aqua Keepers · 09/23/2009, 08:59 PM

Dude, you are a Home Owner now, not a Renter. You are no longer bound to any walls in your living space unless they are load baring.

This is what you do and must be done NOW as you are new to the home:
Go buy your wife a decent pair of earings. Nothing too expensive as you'll need the $$$, but something to show her how much you love her, and enough to get you out of trouble with your next screw up. After you give her the earings, spend the rest of the day telling her how much you love this new home. Tell her how you want to grow old there with HER, how you just can't wait to come home to HER there, etc, etc, but all about living in the home with HER. Then you start telling her about all the improvements that you wanna do in the home. Start with the kitchen, bathroom, and master bedroom as these are Her domain and will peak her interest. Then you go buy a couple power tools because you cannot wait to improve the home that you will share with HER to make HER happy. Now cut a hole in the wall while she's at work that is just the right dimensions for a 250g. When she gets home, tell here you were doing some remodeling for HER, but realized that this hole would be just right for your new tank. The rest my friend is up to you.

I should write a book!!!

Aqua Keepers · 09/23/2009, 09:01 PM

Ohh yeah, I am a single man. LOL!!!!

ElectronRider · 09/23/2009, 09:06 PM

You all are killin me! LOL

I can't do the inwall thing on THIS house, it just wont be worth it to do it ( for now). We plan on living here for about 5 years, then moving on to the property we really want. That's when I get the Inwall. The wife is on-board for salt water tanks, which makes it easier.

Zestay · 09/23/2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aqua Keepers
Dude, you are a Home Owner now, not a Renter. You are no longer bound to any walls in your living space unless they are load baring.

This is what you do and must be done NOW as you are new to the home:
Go buy your wife a decent pair of earings. Nothing too expensive as you'll need the $$$, but something to show her how much you love her, and enough to get you out of trouble with your next screw up. After you give her the earings, spend the rest of the day telling her how much you love this new home. Tell her how you want to grow old there with HER, how you just can't wait to come home to HER there, etc, etc, but all about living in the home with HER. Then you start telling her about all the improvements that you wanna do in the home. Start with the kitchen, bathroom, and master bedroom as these are Her domain and will peak her interest. Then you go buy a couple power tools because you cannot wait to improve the home that you will share with HER to make HER happy. Now cut a hole in the wall while she's at work that is just the right dimensions for a 250g. When she gets home, tell here you were doing some remodeling for HER, but realized that this hole would be just right for your new tank. The rest my friend is up to you.

I should write a book!!!

so. are lab created rubies good enough or do i gotta get the real ones?

Zestay · 09/23/2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ElectronRider
You all are killin me! LOL

I can't do the inwall thing on THIS house, it just wont be worth it to do it ( for now). We plan on living here for about 5 years, then moving on to the property we really want. That's when I get the Inwall. The wife is on-board for salt water tanks, which makes it easier.

hey since shes onboard.. let her knock the whole in the wall.

Aqua Keepers · 09/23/2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ElectronRider
You all are killin me! LOL

I can't do the inwall thing on THIS house, it just wont be worth it to do it ( for now). We plan on living here for about 5 years, then moving on to the property we really want. That's when I get the Inwall. The wife is on-board for salt water tanks, which makes it easier.

Must I teach you all of my trick??? It is WAY easy to repair a hole in the wall silly rabbit!!! Even a big one.

Just do it man. All the cool kids are doing it now-a-days.

Zestay · 09/23/2009, 09:26 PM

dude ill mail you a 20 dollar bill if i see pix of your wife knocking a hole in the wall =)

Aqua Keepers · 09/23/2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zestay
so. are lab created rubies good enough or do i gotta get the real ones?

I don't care if you buy her a piece of cut up base rock and told her it was the new rare build-a-reef stone only found in a small pond in a village in Africa. If it puts her on board, then we're good.

09/23/2009, 02:56 AM	#1
ElectronRider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lafayette,In USA Posts: 56	Space problems in new home I currently run a 75 gallon FOWLR at my rental. I have 2 yellow watchman gobies, a pistol shrimp, and 1 maroon clownfish. I also have about 3 different varieties of mushrooms in the tank. My wife and I just bought a new home, and we really do not have the space for a 75 gallon tank. I am considering downsizing to a 55 gallon. I know that a 55 gallon saltwater tank is a bit small, but aside from an occaisonal mushroom purchase, the tank will never get any more populated. Is a 55 too small?

09/23/2009, 03:08 AM	#2
DougSupreme Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,226	theres only a 6" difference between a 55 and a 75. If I were you, I would keep the 75. __________________ Intelligence is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef

09/23/2009, 07:01 AM	#3
Gwynhidwy Meat Popsicle Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,511	I think your current inhabitants would be fine in the smaller tank, but as DougSupreme pointed out, its only a 6" difference. __________________ -- He who learns must suffer, and, even in our sleep, pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God. -- Aeschylus

09/23/2009, 08:11 AM	#4
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	The problem with standard 55 gallon tanks is that they are very narrow, which can make aquascaping and maintenance a real PITA. It will be a definite step down from your 75. If I had to get a smaller tank, I'd personally go with a 40 gallon breeder before a standard 55. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

09/23/2009, 08:42 AM	#5
JeF4y El Conquistidor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,057	Or go UP with a Cube! My 60 cube has a LOT of potential for different scapes & life. __________________ I've made a small fortune in Reefing! I just started out with a large fortune and the rest came easily. Want a Cleaner Wrasse? Consider a shower! ;-) Current Tank Info: 60 Cube!

09/23/2009, 08:47 AM	#6
Pawky Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas formally Michigan Posts: 107	A 55 isn't too small, but like everyone else said it is a step down and I doubt that you will be happy. __________________ ____________________________ Kris Down but not out! Current Tank Info: JBJ Nano Cube 24 - Vortech(s) - Skimmerless - Odyssea 150 Metal Halide - Bare Bottom Current Tank Info: Currently a nano

09/23/2009, 09:45 AM	#8
DT's_Reef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 3,083	I recommend having a tank and stand built to fit the space more efficiently. That way you can have as much volume as possible. I'm not a fan of narrow tanks. __________________ 85g starphire system, 38"x26"x20", 250w Radium SE + Galaxy Ballast + Lumenmax Elite reflector, Tunze Nano Wave Box, 2 Tunze Nano Streams, Profilux dosing system (2-part + vodka), ATB 840 Skimmer, Eheim 1262 return pump.

09/23/2009, 01:01 PM	#9
jus10kase Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Daytona Beach Fl Posts: 227	Maybe a smaller couch instead of a smaller tank! I had a 55, but hated the narrowness also, had to get someting deeper(front to back). __________________ If you walked a mile in my shoes........ I wouldn`t want them back! Current Tank Info: 55g since June 06 now 120g, since maybe 09.

09/23/2009, 01:07 PM	#10
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	LOL love the smaller couch bit above. I can use one of those. Wife and I just moved into a smaller house. I have a 55g myself and love it but it's still a bit big for this house. We shoved it in a corner of the living room and the couch has to be moved over to get everything to fit. Because of that we really can't use the front door that well as the couch is covering half of the area. Luckily we have a side door that we use all the time. Priorities! Try and make your current tank fit if you can. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

09/23/2009, 02:49 PM	#11
supervdl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NE PA Posts: 1,315	Sell the house again and then learn from mistakes and buy a bigger home. :-) __________________ My tank thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1167897 Current Tank Info: 135 gal mixed reef with Radions and Zeovit; 210 gal SPS reef being set up

09/23/2009, 04:40 PM	#12
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	honestly, if a 55 will work, a 75 will too. it's a few inches deeper like mentioned above. the length is the same. put the television in the bedroom and make the tank the focal point of the living area. __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

09/23/2009, 05:15 PM	#13
ElectronRider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lafayette,In USA Posts: 56	Well, we are going to keep the 75. After the wife and I went thru the house again, we decided to change all the rooms around, and it will work out fine. Thanks for all the input everyone!

09/23/2009, 07:42 PM	#14
Zestay Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: gainesville, FL Posts: 1,622	still wrong answer.. when you get a new home your suppose to get an inwall tank go through the rooms again see which you can turn into a fish room... which kid has to move out early etc etc

09/23/2009, 07:49 PM	#15
mtisc323 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 53	haha ... exactly, instead of 55, go for 255!

09/23/2009, 07:55 PM	#16
LisaD That's not a salmon Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: central North Carolina Posts: 6,986	two words - room addition! __________________ Keeping saltwater tanks since the late '70s Current Tank Info: tankless at the moment

09/23/2009, 08:28 PM	#17
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	Stick it in a corner __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

09/23/2009, 08:59 PM	#18
Aqua Keepers Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Clearwater,Fl Posts: 2,915	Dude, you are a Home Owner now, not a Renter. You are no longer bound to any walls in your living space unless they are load baring. This is what you do and must be done NOW as you are new to the home: Go buy your wife a decent pair of earings. Nothing too expensive as you'll need the $$$, but something to show her how much you love her, and enough to get you out of trouble with your next screw up. After you give her the earings, spend the rest of the day telling her how much you love this new home. Tell her how you want to grow old there with HER, how you just can't wait to come home to HER there, etc, etc, but all about living in the home with HER. Then you start telling her about all the improvements that you wanna do in the home. Start with the kitchen, bathroom, and master bedroom as these are Her domain and will peak her interest. Then you go buy a couple power tools because you cannot wait to improve the home that you will share with HER to make HER happy. Now cut a hole in the wall while she's at work that is just the right dimensions for a 250g. When she gets home, tell here you were doing some remodeling for HER, but realized that this hole would be just right for your new tank. The rest my friend is up to you. I should write a book!!!

09/23/2009, 09:01 PM	#19
Aqua Keepers Moved On Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Clearwater,Fl Posts: 2,915	Ohh yeah, I am a single man. LOL!!!!

09/23/2009, 09:06 PM	#20
ElectronRider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lafayette,In USA Posts: 56	You all are killin me! LOL I can't do the inwall thing on THIS house, it just wont be worth it to do it ( for now). We plan on living here for about 5 years, then moving on to the property we really want. That's when I get the Inwall. The wife is on-board for salt water tanks, which makes it easier.

09/23/2009, 09:26 PM	#24
Zestay Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: gainesville, FL Posts: 1,622	dude ill mail you a 20 dollar bill if i see pix of your wife knocking a hole in the wall =)