Anyone regret upgrading?

boshk · 11/19/2016, 03:27 AM

The norm is people upgrade to bigger tanks for many reasons.
Stock accommodation, more stable waters, corals growing too big, addiction

Anyone regret upgrading and wished he/she stayed same size or even reduced tank size? and for what reason?

I'm thinking of jumping 40G to 90G+....2ft to 4ft or 5ft

OllieNZ · 11/19/2016, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boshk

The norm is people upgrade to bigger tanks for many reasons.
Stock accommodation, more stable waters, corals growing too big, addiction

Anyone regret upgrading and wished he/she stayed same size or even reduced tank size? and for what reason?

I'm thinking of jumping 40G to 90G+....2ft to 4ft or 5ft

I think the kind of upgrade your talking is a handy upgrade. The only thing I've found that I don't like with larger tanks is the height. Much more than 20" and you're looking at wet armpits and I'm 6'2"

joshky · 11/19/2016, 04:27 AM

As long as you can see yourself keeping up with the maintenance, and don't bat an eye at the added costs involved, you should be good to go. Bigger tank equates to more things, in this hobby we're all kind of hoarders.

Do I sometimes wish I had a nano again? Sure. I don't regret upgrading though, it's beginning to pay off and being able to see that is very rewarding.

Ron Reefman · 11/19/2016, 05:27 AM

boshk, I won't say I 'regret' doing 4 or 5 upgrades during my 12 years in the hobby. I went from a 30g to a 75g, then added a 35g hexagon, then swapped out both for a 180g and a 75g hexagon, then added a 25g frag tank and then a 65g shallow reef (so a total of 4 tanks on 2 systems with 2 sump/refugiums). After 6 years I was ready to downsize but with 2 systems each with 2 tanks and big sump/refugiums is was hard to see how to do it.

Then a few months ago the 180 developed a leak that was unfixable, so the 180g and an attached 75g hex tank for gorgonians along with a 180g sump/refugium all went away. I replaced them with a 125g reef with a 40g sump and I added a 50g cube display refugium. So still 4 tanks and 2 sumps, but I like the new, smaller system better and it is less work... or is it that I enjoy the work more???

boshk · 11/19/2016, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshky

As long as you can see yourself keeping up with the maintenance, and don't bat an eye at the added costs involved, you should be good to go. Bigger tank equates to more things, in this hobby we're all kind of hoarders.

Do I sometimes wish I had a nano again? Sure. I don't regret upgrading though, it's beginning to pay off and being able to see that is very rewarding.

The added cost is a bit...another Radion xr15w G3 if they are still around or sell existing and change, another pump, another return pump, more rocks, more sand....and of course more corals.

The maintenance should be easier right in terms it's a more stable tank...40 to 90G....

Water change in terms of volume is roughly doubled but instead of weekly, could I get away with 10-14 days?

CrayolaViolence · 11/19/2016, 06:32 AM

Sometimes I do then other times I'm glad I have the room for fish or corals I couldn't have in a smaller tank. Although I love the 40 gallon breeder tanks I have and like being able to do isolated reefs in each with incompatible stuff. I like my 180 as well because I love working rocks and have lots of room to do that. Same with the 150 fish only tank. I can have fish there I can't have in my reef tank. Now I'm in the process of revamping my frag tank. I'm thinking I might do a zoe garden and mushroom leather tank in it.

Ou8me2 · 11/19/2016, 06:46 AM

Never regretted upgrading and wished I would not started with smaller tanks and just went big out of the gate. I'm limited on space where I am now and wish I could have at least 180 or 220. My dream tank would be 400-500 gallon system but I don't see that happening in the near future.

Misled · 11/19/2016, 07:08 AM

If you know what you want to keep, plan things out and stick to your plan, either should be fine. I've been in the hobby over 25 years. I live in an apartment and only have room for one tank, (at least that's what she that must be obeyed says). I've had at least 5 different tanks and have gone bigger, smaller and oddly shaped and as long as the plan was kept to, things were fine.

ntropics · 11/19/2016, 10:37 AM

I can't think of any reason to regret an upgrade other than increased cost. A bigger tank is MUCH more stable than a smaller tank. It may even require less work than a small tank. Also, you have more room for that "just one more" coral or fish that you want.

I grow orchids, and the saying among greenhouse people is think of how big you want your greenhouse to be, then double it!

I went from a 120 to a 180. I am very glad I did.

Bruce

Lavoisier · 11/19/2016, 03:24 PM

I have found the bigger the tank the easier to keep stable but the more expensive to maintain. Go with the biggest you can (considering space and money--set up and upkeep).

H2OCulture · 11/19/2016, 04:55 PM

To echo what has been said, larger tank = more stable parameters and better flexibility. There are some exceptional smaller aquariums out there, but to me, the larger the better, until you reach around 200 gallons or so; assuming you can tolerate the upkeep.

bearpeidog · 11/19/2016, 05:02 PM

No regrets at all. I upgraded from a 90 bow front to a 180. I used what I learned from the 90 to help build the 180. The extra real estate is great. Don't upgrade for the sake of upgrading but if you want a new foot print go for it. The wider 180 was a huge benefit IMO.

csb123 · 11/19/2016, 08:51 PM

The only time I would regret upsizing a tank is if the tank would not be kept for several years. A big tank is hard to get looking great (i.e. Big mature coral colonies) without time to let the tiny, expensive frags grow out. Back in the day it was easy to acquire good sized affordable colonies. Not any more...

Zalick · 11/19/2016, 08:56 PM

After years of a 20 long I upped to a 300. No regrets. I own my home and won't be moving for a long time. If I were moving in a couple years, I would regret it as it takes a lot of time and planning to setup right.

FirstContact · 11/20/2016, 12:31 AM

Lifetime hobby for me. I upgraded from a 46g to a 120g and don't regret it. One day I'd like to have a 200ish to 300ish tank. I don't think going larger is any more work realistically just more expensive. I think you start getting into a lot more work when you are running multiple tanks or multiple systems. At one time we had 5 tanks in the house not including refugium just the DTs. Three saltwater and two freshwater. That was too much work and I don't miss it.

HidingReefer · 11/20/2016, 11:44 AM

I upgraded from a 30g to a 90g last year, don't regret for a day. Main reason : more space for corals, and I wanted a tang
Planning a 6 foot build soon...

11/19/2016, 03:27 AM	#1
boshk Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 184	Anyone regret upgrading? The norm is people upgrade to bigger tanks for many reasons. Stock accommodation, more stable waters, corals growing too big, addiction Anyone regret upgrading and wished he/she stayed same size or even reduced tank size? and for what reason? I'm thinking of jumping 40G to 90G+....2ft to 4ft or 5ft __________________ Space is the limit to this hobby... I miss Reefing...... Current Tank Info: Reefer 170

11/19/2016, 04:27 AM	#3
joshky Acros & Wrasses Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Central KY Posts: 2,546	As long as you can see yourself keeping up with the maintenance, and don't bat an eye at the added costs involved, you should be good to go. Bigger tank equates to more things, in this hobby we're all kind of hoarders. Do I sometimes wish I had a nano again? Sure. I don't regret upgrading though, it's beginning to pay off and being able to see that is very rewarding. __________________ Josh My 80g: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2677031

11/19/2016, 05:27 AM	#4
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	boshk, I won't say I 'regret' doing 4 or 5 upgrades during my 12 years in the hobby. I went from a 30g to a 75g, then added a 35g hexagon, then swapped out both for a 180g and a 75g hexagon, then added a 25g frag tank and then a 65g shallow reef (so a total of 4 tanks on 2 systems with 2 sump/refugiums). After 6 years I was ready to downsize but with 2 systems each with 2 tanks and big sump/refugiums is was hard to see how to do it. Then a few months ago the 180 developed a leak that was unfixable, so the 180g and an attached 75g hex tank for gorgonians along with a 180g sump/refugium all went away. I replaced them with a 125g reef with a 40g sump and I added a 50g cube display refugium. So still 4 tanks and 2 sumps, but I like the new, smaller system better and it is less work... or is it that I enjoy the work more??? __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

11/19/2016, 07:08 AM	#8
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	If you know what you want to keep, plan things out and stick to your plan, either should be fine. I've been in the hobby over 25 years. I live in an apartment and only have room for one tank, (at least that's what she that must be obeyed says). I've had at least 5 different tanks and have gone bigger, smaller and oddly shaped and as long as the plan was kept to, things were fine. __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

11/19/2016, 03:24 PM	#10
Lavoisier Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 1,030	I have found the bigger the tank the easier to keep stable but the more expensive to maintain. Go with the biggest you can (considering space and money--set up and upkeep). __________________ "...for it is not necessary that these hypotheses should be true, or even probably; but it is enough if they provide a calculus which fits the observations..."--Introduction (attributed to Andrew Osiander) to On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Sphere by Nicolaus Copernicus. Current Tank Info: 600g DT, 140g sump, 200g Cryptic, 90g Refugium, 3-400w MH, 2 Reeflo Barracudas, and 3 MP60s

11/19/2016, 06:32 AM	#6
CrayolaViolence Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,867	Sometimes I do then other times I'm glad I have the room for fish or corals I couldn't have in a smaller tank. Although I love the 40 gallon breeder tanks I have and like being able to do isolated reefs in each with incompatible stuff. I like my 180 as well because I love working rocks and have lots of room to do that. Same with the 150 fish only tank. I can have fish there I can't have in my reef tank. Now I'm in the process of revamping my frag tank. I'm thinking I might do a zoe garden and mushroom leather tank in it.

11/19/2016, 06:46 AM	#7
Ou8me2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 743	Never regretted upgrading and wished I would not started with smaller tanks and just went big out of the gate. I'm limited on space where I am now and wish I could have at least 180 or 220. My dream tank would be 400-500 gallon system but I don't see that happening in the near future.

11/19/2016, 10:37 AM	#9
ntropics Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 267	I can't think of any reason to regret an upgrade other than increased cost. A bigger tank is MUCH more stable than a smaller tank. It may even require less work than a small tank. Also, you have more room for that "just one more" coral or fish that you want. I grow orchids, and the saying among greenhouse people is think of how big you want your greenhouse to be, then double it! I went from a 120 to a 180. I am very glad I did. Bruce

11/19/2016, 04:55 PM	#11
H2OCulture Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bethesda, Maryland Posts: 85	To echo what has been said, larger tank = more stable parameters and better flexibility. There are some exceptional smaller aquariums out there, but to me, the larger the better, until you reach around 200 gallons or so; assuming you can tolerate the upkeep. __________________ "Just add water" "Just say NO to detritus" February TOTM 2011 Le Châtelier is my clean-up crew. Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Mixed Reef

11/19/2016, 05:02 PM	#12
bearpeidog Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Milton, Vermont Posts: 560	No regrets at all. I upgraded from a 90 bow front to a 180. I used what I learned from the 90 to help build the 180. The extra real estate is great. Don't upgrade for the sake of upgrading but if you want a new foot print go for it. The wider 180 was a huge benefit IMO. __________________ Bill Current Tank Info: 180 gallon Starfire, 3-Radion G1, Tunze with 7091 Controller, 2- ecotech mp40s, MP60, Panworld 250 return pump, TunzeATO, XP2000ss Reef Octopus Skimmer, Theiling rollermat

11/19/2016, 08:51 PM	#13
csb123 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: minnesota Posts: 104	The only time I would regret upsizing a tank is if the tank would not be kept for several years. A big tank is hard to get looking great (i.e. Big mature coral colonies) without time to let the tiny, expensive frags grow out. Back in the day it was easy to acquire good sized affordable colonies. Not any more...

11/19/2016, 08:56 PM	#14
Zalick My reef tanks my wallet Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Portland Posts: 571	After years of a 20 long I upped to a 300. No regrets. I own my home and won't be moving for a long time. If I were moving in a couple years, I would regret it as it takes a lot of time and planning to setup right. __________________ 300g custom acrylic from James 72x36x27, 4 Mitras Lx7 &6 a360, 2 Stream 3s, C2C beananimal. 100g sump, Jebao DCP- 8000 (Vectra M1 died) -> 114w aquauv -> SRO 5000ext , varios8 return Current Tank Info: Me v Dinos - I'm winning for now...

11/20/2016, 12:31 AM	#15
FirstContact Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glenn Dale, MD Posts: 1,613	Lifetime hobby for me. I upgraded from a 46g to a 120g and don't regret it. One day I'd like to have a 200ish to 300ish tank. I don't think going larger is any more work realistically just more expensive. I think you start getting into a lot more work when you are running multiple tanks or multiple systems. At one time we had 5 tanks in the house not including refugium just the DTs. Three saltwater and two freshwater. That was too much work and I don't miss it. __________________ No man is an island entire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne Current Tank Info: 120g Reef 100g Rubbermaid Sump, 20g Refugium; previous tank: 46g Drilled; Self Plumbed, Birds Nest, Anchor, Xenia, Zoas, Yuma Yuma Ricordea, Chalice, Mushrooms, Brain, Acan, Anenome Plate; Clams, Other Inverts, Fish, Live Rock

11/20/2016, 11:44 AM	#16
HidingReefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 259	I upgraded from a 30g to a 90g last year, don't regret for a day. Main reason : more space for corals, and I wanted a tang Planning a 6 foot build soon...