55g to 75g upgrade... worth it?

Jova · 02/26/2008, 01:04 AM

I currently have a 55 gallon reef tank with live rock and just a few small softies. My girlfriend's aunt has a nice 75 gallon tank that is pre-drilled for a sump with a nice stand that she wants to get rid of. I wouldn't have to pay anything for the tank and the stand, and I have plenty of live rock for the 75. My question is this: would upgrading from my current 55 (which has no sump or refugium) to a 75 gallon with a 30 long as a sump, be worth the time and money for a tank that is only 20 gallons larger? My original plan was to go with a 120. My thoughts are: with a 75, my current lighting, live rock, sand bed and skimmer would still be sufficient, the only expense would be adding a bit more sand and the materials needed to add the sump. So it's going to be a rather inexpensive upgrade, but I'm not sure if it would really be worth the hassel to just add 20 gallons and a sump. My current fish load is rather heavy for a 55, mainly because I have a purple tang. So what do ya'll think? Would this new system be worth the time and money it would take for the upgrade?

Cope · 02/26/2008, 01:08 AM

At first I was gonna say no, but if it's free.....................AND has NEVER been treated with copper!, Then go pick that sucker up!
If nothing else you can sell it as a fresh watter tank and get some $$$ for that 120.

serum153 · 02/26/2008, 01:11 AM

I just upgraded and the difference is huge in my opinion. I always hated how narrow my 55 was and now I can't believe how much more room I have. Definitely worth it, especially for free. I had no problem droppin 150 on a 20 gallon upgrade and it does look a lot more than 20 gallons that you are gaining.

BLKTANG · 02/26/2008, 01:13 AM

thats whai i was gonna say,get it clean it good,& the 55 & sell those bad boys to get a 90RR or 120 RR,just keep the 30g sump.

Cope · 02/26/2008, 01:19 AM

I would like to explain my previous statement. I was thinking the cost to buy all the stuff new is not worth the expense, but to up grade to a larger tank is always "worth it." If you were going to buy all the stuff, I would go with a larger tank. Just a little larger than you can afford is my style. Just a little smaller than prudent may be the right choice for others?
Cope

Jova · 02/26/2008, 01:24 AM

Well, one of the main things that's really making me consider the upgrade is that this 75 is pre-drilled for a sump, and my current tank does not have a sump and doesn't have enough room under the tank to add one. With the 75, I could fit a sump underneath. What I'm wondering is: what all does adding a sump entail? How much money am I looking at (other than the cost of the tank) to add a sump? And is having a sump THAT important?

Cope · 02/26/2008, 02:12 AM

About 45 to say.......... 4,000$. Look in the DIY forum on the main page. And yes! I would say not so much a sump but a refugium, has to be one of the best things I ever did to my tank.

(just think of all the cash I spent to buy all those Bio Balls!, I should have spent that money on LR instead.)
My tank looks a 100% better now.
Not to mention the larger watter volume makes everything better.)
Any one want to buy some used bio balls?
Ha HA
(JK)

xtm · 02/26/2008, 02:37 AM

55 to 75 is not too big of an upgrade, but if it's free I say grab it!

LobsterOfJustice · 02/26/2008, 08:28 AM

The main upgrade here is the sump... it opens up a lot more equipment options (especially skimmer).

Bippus · 02/26/2008, 11:12 AM

I think you will really enjoy that little bit of extra depth you'll get with the 75. Not a big upgrade, but for the money well worth it IMO.

discocarp · 02/26/2008, 11:17 AM

That extra 6 inches opens a whole other world of possibilities.

The sump opens up even more options.

If you are definitely going to do the 120, skip the upgrade. Otherwise I'd jump all over it.

tkeracer619 · 02/26/2008, 11:57 AM

I would do the upgrade in a heart beat.

Benifits
-Sump
-Volume
-Depth
-Cost
-Lower Bioload
-Chance to clean up detrious
-More things to sell later

Disadvantages
-Gas money
-Moving things around

jubjub · 02/26/2008, 12:16 PM

honestly its not a matter of worth.....do you want it...if yes go for it... i went from a 55g to 75g and honestly i would say yes because of the options avail in a 75g you can start keeping tangs nad your rock wont look so cluttered.

techigirl78 · 02/26/2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cope
About 45 to say.......... 4,000$.

That estimate seems about right.

If you are going to 120 for sure, then go skip the 75. Otherwise, the 75 would be a nice interim upgrade for you.

Shekki · 02/26/2008, 12:24 PM

Take the 75 and use it for a sump for your new 120.

02/26/2008, 01:04 AM	#1
Jova Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 201	55g to 75g upgrade... worth it? I currently have a 55 gallon reef tank with live rock and just a few small softies. My girlfriend's aunt has a nice 75 gallon tank that is pre-drilled for a sump with a nice stand that she wants to get rid of. I wouldn't have to pay anything for the tank and the stand, and I have plenty of live rock for the 75. My question is this: would upgrading from my current 55 (which has no sump or refugium) to a 75 gallon with a 30 long as a sump, be worth the time and money for a tank that is only 20 gallons larger? My original plan was to go with a 120. My thoughts are: with a 75, my current lighting, live rock, sand bed and skimmer would still be sufficient, the only expense would be adding a bit more sand and the materials needed to add the sump. So it's going to be a rather inexpensive upgrade, but I'm not sure if it would really be worth the hassel to just add 20 gallons and a sump. My current fish load is rather heavy for a 55, mainly because I have a purple tang. So what do ya'll think? Would this new system be worth the time and money it would take for the upgrade?

02/26/2008, 01:08 AM	#2
Cope Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In deep water (SLT CA) Posts: 595	At first I was gonna say no, but if it's free.....................AND has NEVER been treated with copper!, Then go pick that sucker up! If nothing else you can sell it as a fresh watter tank and get some $$$ for that 120. __________________ I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. Current Tank Info: Soon to be 500 gallon mixed reef!

02/26/2008, 01:13 AM	#4
BLKTANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Never,Never Land Posts: 7,061	thats whai i was gonna say,get it clean it good,& the 55 & sell those bad boys to get a 90RR or 120 RR,just keep the 30g sump. __________________ We the few have done so much,for so long,for so little.That we are now qualified to do anything with nothing. ____________________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RR 90 Maganvore sump,250w Hamilton fixture,VorTec's ASM skimmer.

02/26/2008, 01:19 AM	#5
Cope Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In deep water (SLT CA) Posts: 595	I would like to explain my previous statement. I was thinking the cost to buy all the stuff new is not worth the expense, but to up grade to a larger tank is always "worth it." If you were going to buy all the stuff, I would go with a larger tank. Just a little larger than you can afford is my style. Just a little smaller than prudent may be the right choice for others? Cope __________________ I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. Current Tank Info: Soon to be 500 gallon mixed reef!

02/26/2008, 02:12 AM	#7
Cope Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In deep water (SLT CA) Posts: 595	About 45 to say.......... 4,000$. Look in the DIY forum on the main page. And yes! I would say not so much a sump but a refugium, has to be one of the best things I ever did to my tank. (just think of all the cash I spent to buy all those Bio Balls!, I should have spent that money on LR instead.) My tank looks a 100% better now. Not to mention the larger watter volume makes everything better.) Any one want to buy some used bio balls? Ha HA (JK) __________________ I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. Current Tank Info: Soon to be 500 gallon mixed reef!

02/26/2008, 01:11 AM	#3
serum153 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Reno Posts: 584	I just upgraded and the difference is huge in my opinion. I always hated how narrow my 55 was and now I can't believe how much more room I have. Definitely worth it, especially for free. I had no problem droppin 150 on a 20 gallon upgrade and it does look a lot more than 20 gallons that you are gaining.

02/26/2008, 01:24 AM	#6
Jova Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 201	Well, one of the main things that's really making me consider the upgrade is that this 75 is pre-drilled for a sump, and my current tank does not have a sump and doesn't have enough room under the tank to add one. With the 75, I could fit a sump underneath. What I'm wondering is: what all does adding a sump entail? How much money am I looking at (other than the cost of the tank) to add a sump? And is having a sump THAT important?

02/26/2008, 02:37 AM	#8
xtm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Panorama City, CA Posts: 4,703	55 to 75 is not too big of an upgrade, but if it's free I say grab it! __________________ Function before fashion Current Tank Info: 120g SPS Tank (48x24x24)

02/26/2008, 08:28 AM	#9
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	The main upgrade here is the sump... it opens up a lot more equipment options (especially skimmer). __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

02/26/2008, 11:12 AM	#10
Bippus Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 201	I think you will really enjoy that little bit of extra depth you'll get with the 75. Not a big upgrade, but for the money well worth it IMO. __________________ -Dustin Current Tank Info: 75 gal - 135 In the works (STILL!!)

02/26/2008, 11:17 AM	#11
discocarp Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 2,707	That extra 6 inches opens a whole other world of possibilities. The sump opens up even more options. If you are definitely going to do the 120, skip the upgrade. Otherwise I'd jump all over it.

02/26/2008, 11:57 AM	#12
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I would do the upgrade in a heart beat. Benifits -Sump -Volume -Depth -Cost -Lower Bioload -Chance to clean up detrious -More things to sell later Disadvantages -Gas money -Moving things around __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/26/2008, 12:16 PM	#13
jubjub Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: vacaville, cali Posts: 2,698	honestly its not a matter of worth.....do you want it...if yes go for it... i went from a 55g to 75g and honestly i would say yes because of the options avail in a 75g you can start keeping tangs nad your rock wont look so cluttered. __________________ "The world holds two classes of men - intelligent men without religion, and religious men without intelligence." - Abu Ala Al-Maari

02/26/2008, 12:24 PM	#15
Shekki Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ocean City, MD Posts: 651	Take the 75 and use it for a sump for your new 120. __________________ Elos mini reef Current Tank Info: Elos mini, reefkeeper 2, Vortech MP20, ice cap moonlight, Reef Fanatic ATO