Decisions Decisions....

hops523 · 07/28/2008, 09:21 AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I dont know if this is the right place to post this,so sorry if its in the wrong place. So heres the deal Im 16 and have had a 20 gallon tank set up for a few months. At the time when I set up the tank, I didnt have much money because I didnt have a job (was in school,doing sports,etc.). And I hated to ask my parents for money,because its my hobby. Well now that its been summer I have a job and am making money. I really wanted to upgrade in tank size to some where around a 75 gallons. Now my problem is that since I have money to spend, I want buy a bunch of new coral,and livestock. If I did that, upgrading in tank size would be cut back,upgrading isnt that cheap haha. I would have to purchase a lot of new things like the tank,stand,filtration,lighting,etc. But upgrading would be pretty awesome,and would give me alot more options with livestock and keeping bigger and more fish. Which is what I want to do.

So its either I really stock up my 20 gallon with coral,and make it look really nice, or upgrade to a bigger tank,pay more money,and have to wait longer to do the things I want to do,but would probably look better in the long run,and be more of an accomplishment. Anyone have and suggestions for me? And again sorry if this is in the wrong section.

celano · 07/28/2008, 09:32 AM

You can always buy used to help keep the cost of upgrading down. It seems like 75's go up forsale all the time and so do skimmers. Keep an eye on your local club forum to find a good deal on one.
If you unpgrade to the 75 or even a 90 you wont regret it. We went from a 29 to a 75 rr a couple years ago and love the options it opened up for corals/livestock.

guppychao · 07/28/2008, 09:38 AM

the only suggestion i could give is that since you are still so young, buy good equipment that will last for a while and can handle what you really want in the future (ie instead of a skimmer rated for 20 gal, buy one rated for 100 gals)
also dont forget about if you go off to college and move, a 20 gal is alot easier to move than a 70. hate to see you spend all that money and then neglect the items b/c of school/hassle of the move.

relax you will eventually get there

Just my opinon,

hops523 · 07/28/2008, 09:47 AM

All good points. I was also thinking maybe going with a 40 gallon breeder, or a 55 gallon aquarium. Ive been looking on craigslist for these sizes, and there a couple 55 gallons that arent too expensive. The only thing with a 55 is that they seem so skinny. And Ive heard they dont leave much room for aquascaping. But maybe these two sizes would be a better fit for me.

I just dont want to go with one of these sizes, and then a few months later want to upgrade to a 75.

crvz · 07/28/2008, 12:44 PM

I'd be more inclined to stock the 20 and focus on making it look great. Get some more unique pieces and let them grow out nicely. There's always time to upgrade, sometimes folks don't pay enough attention to what they have because they're always focusing on the next thing. If you're like me you'll probably move around a lot in the few years after graduation, and lugging around a 75 gallon is a lot more of a pain than a 20. You could make that one killer setup, I'm sure.

discocarp · 07/28/2008, 03:02 PM

A 75 is a lot pricier to maintain than a 20g. Will you have money when you are in school again? I vote you make the 20g great. Upgrade its equipment (buy good brands used) and get some nice coral in it.

abulgin · 07/28/2008, 03:04 PM

Also, think about what you're going to do with a big tank when you go to college for 4 or 5 or 6 years

hops523 · 07/28/2008, 03:45 PM

What do you guys think of the idea of a 40 gallon breeder tank? I really want a pair of gsm clowns

discocarp · 07/28/2008, 04:03 PM

A 40 breeder is a very nice size. The extra front to back is really helpful for aquascaping. Are you thinking of maybe a happy medium between 20 and 75?

hahnmeister · 07/28/2008, 04:40 PM

I would be sure you have about $100-200 a month in income that you can set aside to sustain a 75g in the long term.

I know there are some very interested young adults out there, but this hobby isnt something you can put on a shelf of neglect when your interests shift. Im not trying to be negative, but I just want you to be practical. There are many adults, including myself, who have had to give up the hobby from time to time because of other obligations. Considering how much your life can change from month to month at the age of 16... 17... 18... until you are through college and enter the workforce... I would suggest something that takes the least amount of financial obligation and is easy to move. A 75g may be pushing that... I suppose its all in how you plan to keep it. A Zeovit style tank with tons of SPS is much different than a tank with a few fish and some easy to keep softies. That being said, I think some larger tanks (once you get over 75g usually) are much easier to keep than smaller ones... but there is more at risk too.

Macimage · 07/28/2008, 06:03 PM

I think the 40 gallon breeder would be a great compromise. It's double the size of the 20, has good depth, will cost less to maintain than a 75 g and hopefully, you can take it with you if you go off to college.

Good Luck!
Joyce

xtm · 07/28/2008, 06:39 PM

I suggest you keep the 20g and keep saving money... all while honing your reefkeeping skills. From time to time I say buy something "nice", and by nice I mean a blue mushroom or maybe a GSP. DO NOT invest on high end stuff just yet. Practice fragging and propagating corals until you acquire a certain taste. While you're doing that, you could sell frags that you've grown to fund your hobby.

And what to do with the money you saved? I would invest it. I know I know it's OT but IMO it's somewhat impractical to pour tremendous amount of money into a hobby like this when you're really young. Kind of reminds me of how much money I poured into modding cars when I was in college. Where are they now?

Whatever it is, good luck with your decision

hops523 · 07/28/2008, 06:48 PM

Hey thanks guys for all your input. Its really helped me. I still dont know what Im going to do, and all your arguments for one side or the other are great, and making the decision even tougher haha, but thats exactly what I wanted. I think my decision is now somewhat based on the type of deal I can get on a tank. If I can get a good price on a tank, stand,etc with enough extra money to get everything else I need, I think I would go for it. But Im looking into the 40 gallons.

hops523 · 07/30/2008, 11:27 AM

Now Im thinking I should stick with the 20 gallon. That way I can just stock up on coral, get some good equipment, and a couple fish. I just really wanted to get a Bubble tip anemone haha. And I cant fit one in a 20. Im so undecided on this, I feel at least until I firmly make up my mind on something, I should stick with the 20.

07/28/2008, 09:21 AM	#1
hops523 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: colorado Posts: 438	Decisions Decisions.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I dont know if this is the right place to post this,so sorry if its in the wrong place. So heres the deal Im 16 and have had a 20 gallon tank set up for a few months. At the time when I set up the tank, I didnt have much money because I didnt have a job (was in school,doing sports,etc.). And I hated to ask my parents for money,because its my hobby. Well now that its been summer I have a job and am making money. I really wanted to upgrade in tank size to some where around a 75 gallons. Now my problem is that since I have money to spend, I want buy a bunch of new coral,and livestock. If I did that, upgrading in tank size would be cut back,upgrading isnt that cheap haha. I would have to purchase a lot of new things like the tank,stand,filtration,lighting,etc. But upgrading would be pretty awesome,and would give me alot more options with livestock and keeping bigger and more fish. Which is what I want to do. So its either I really stock up my 20 gallon with coral,and make it look really nice, or upgrade to a bigger tank,pay more money,and have to wait longer to do the things I want to do,but would probably look better in the long run,and be more of an accomplishment. Anyone have and suggestions for me? And again sorry if this is in the wrong section.

07/28/2008, 09:38 AM	#3
guppychao Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: MD Posts: 130	the only suggestion i could give is that since you are still so young, buy good equipment that will last for a while and can handle what you really want in the future (ie instead of a skimmer rated for 20 gal, buy one rated for 100 gals) also dont forget about if you go off to college and move, a 20 gal is alot easier to move than a 70. hate to see you spend all that money and then neglect the items b/c of school/hassle of the move. relax you will eventually get there Just my opinon, __________________ were just 2 lost souls swimming in a fish bowl

07/28/2008, 12:44 PM	#5
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	I'd be more inclined to stock the 20 and focus on making it look great. Get some more unique pieces and let them grow out nicely. There's always time to upgrade, sometimes folks don't pay enough attention to what they have because they're always focusing on the next thing. If you're like me you'll probably move around a lot in the few years after graduation, and lugging around a 75 gallon is a lot more of a pain than a 20. You could make that one killer setup, I'm sure. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

07/28/2008, 06:39 PM	#12
xtm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Panorama City, CA Posts: 4,703	I suggest you keep the 20g and keep saving money... all while honing your reefkeeping skills. From time to time I say buy something "nice", and by nice I mean a blue mushroom or maybe a GSP. DO NOT invest on high end stuff just yet. Practice fragging and propagating corals until you acquire a certain taste. While you're doing that, you could sell frags that you've grown to fund your hobby. And what to do with the money you saved? I would invest it. I know I know it's OT but IMO it's somewhat impractical to pour tremendous amount of money into a hobby like this when you're really young. Kind of reminds me of how much money I poured into modding cars when I was in college. Where are they now? Whatever it is, good luck with your decision __________________ Function before fashion Current Tank Info: 120g SPS Tank (48x24x24)

07/28/2008, 09:32 AM	#2
celano Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 910	You can always buy used to help keep the cost of upgrading down. It seems like 75's go up forsale all the time and so do skimmers. Keep an eye on your local club forum to find a good deal on one. If you unpgrade to the 75 or even a 90 you wont regret it. We went from a 29 to a 75 rr a couple years ago and love the options it opened up for corals/livestock.

07/28/2008, 09:47 AM	#4
hops523 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: colorado Posts: 438	All good points. I was also thinking maybe going with a 40 gallon breeder, or a 55 gallon aquarium. Ive been looking on craigslist for these sizes, and there a couple 55 gallons that arent too expensive. The only thing with a 55 is that they seem so skinny. And Ive heard they dont leave much room for aquascaping. But maybe these two sizes would be a better fit for me. I just dont want to go with one of these sizes, and then a few months later want to upgrade to a 75.

07/28/2008, 03:02 PM	#6
discocarp Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 2,707	A 75 is a lot pricier to maintain than a 20g. Will you have money when you are in school again? I vote you make the 20g great. Upgrade its equipment (buy good brands used) and get some nice coral in it.

07/28/2008, 03:04 PM	#7
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	Also, think about what you're going to do with a big tank when you go to college for 4 or 5 or 6 years

07/28/2008, 03:45 PM	#8
hops523 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: colorado Posts: 438	What do you guys think of the idea of a 40 gallon breeder tank? I really want a pair of gsm clowns

07/28/2008, 04:03 PM	#9
discocarp Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 2,707	A 40 breeder is a very nice size. The extra front to back is really helpful for aquascaping. Are you thinking of maybe a happy medium between 20 and 75?

07/28/2008, 04:40 PM	#10
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	I would be sure you have about $100-200 a month in income that you can set aside to sustain a 75g in the long term. I know there are some very interested young adults out there, but this hobby isnt something you can put on a shelf of neglect when your interests shift. Im not trying to be negative, but I just want you to be practical. There are many adults, including myself, who have had to give up the hobby from time to time because of other obligations. Considering how much your life can change from month to month at the age of 16... 17... 18... until you are through college and enter the workforce... I would suggest something that takes the least amount of financial obligation and is easy to move. A 75g may be pushing that... I suppose its all in how you plan to keep it. A Zeovit style tank with tons of SPS is much different than a tank with a few fish and some easy to keep softies. That being said, I think some larger tanks (once you get over 75g usually) are much easier to keep than smaller ones... but there is more at risk too.

07/28/2008, 06:03 PM	#11
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	I think the 40 gallon breeder would be a great compromise. It's double the size of the 20, has good depth, will cost less to maintain than a 75 g and hopefully, you can take it with you if you go off to college. Good Luck! Joyce

07/28/2008, 06:48 PM	#13
hops523 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: colorado Posts: 438	Hey thanks guys for all your input. Its really helped me. I still dont know what Im going to do, and all your arguments for one side or the other are great, and making the decision even tougher haha, but thats exactly what I wanted. I think my decision is now somewhat based on the type of deal I can get on a tank. If I can get a good price on a tank, stand,etc with enough extra money to get everything else I need, I think I would go for it. But Im looking into the 40 gallons.

07/30/2008, 11:27 AM	#14
hops523 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: colorado Posts: 438	Now Im thinking I should stick with the 20 gallon. That way I can just stock up on coral, get some good equipment, and a couple fish. I just really wanted to get a Bubble tip anemone haha. And I cant fit one in a 20. Im so undecided on this, I feel at least until I firmly make up my mind on something, I should stick with the 20.