Oh, here it comes...

[LulusMoogle]

Around Christmas time, I was befuddled. Why would nanotank owners such as myself want to upgrade the size of their tank to a 55g or larger tank?

And now I understand.

There's still money left in my wallet.

And there's a nice 55g at my LFS that's BEGGING for experimentation...

Hrm. What a dilemma. :cool:

Does anyone have any advice or input about upgrading? I want to, but I'm leaning against it since I'll be in college this fall.

[Byronc]

Upgrading is amazing as long as you can afford to do it!! Keep in mind all of the costs and logistics that accompany a larger tank. As a person who just graduated college I would advise you to save as much as possible for the next several years of your life...you will be poor as hell.


With those words I would say......DO IT, UPGRADE!

[arctictwist]

I would say stay away from the standard 55 unless its going to be fowlr. if you get a more cubish tank you will appreciate the width for aquascaping.

[snorvich]

I agree with arctictwist. However, moving a tank to college is a pain.

[Ohiomom]

Not to mention even in an apartment/rental home most will not allow a 55 or larger. Course maybe you are commuting from home like I hope my kids will do :)

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15089936#post15089936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LulusMoogle
Around Christmas time, I was befuddled. Why would nanotank owners such as myself want to upgrade the size of their tank to a 55g or larger tank?

And now I understand.

There's still money left in my wallet.

And there's a nice 55g at my LFS that's BEGGING for experimentation...

Hrm. What a dilemma. :cool:

Does anyone have any advice or input about upgrading? I want to, but I'm leaning against it since I'll be in college this fall.

the glass tank itself is the cheapist outlay
consider:
live rock(60lbs @5) 300 $
lighting 300-500
substrate 50
filtration system 200
power heads 80
heater 40
salt mix 60
ro/di filter 200
---and that's just to setup--nothing in the tank

[Aquarist007]

here is a good thread to read

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1526752

[spleify]

Upgrading is awesome, and I think we are ALL looking for our next tank whether we know it or not. Like mentioned, unless you are commuting and going to school locally, I would probably hold off until you are home for good to maintain it properly.
Not to mention having a tank at college scares me, crazy things happen at those college partys

[luther1200]

I would say if you ever think you are going to want a bigger tank (bigger than 55) get it now. I went from a nano to a 65 and now I want a bigger tank. I should have just got a 125 or bigger back then. It may sound crazy but I really wish I had just gotten a bigger tank back then.

[aquaman67]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15089992#post15089992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arctictwist
I would say stay away from the standard 55 unless its going to be fowlr. if you get a more cubish tank you will appreciate the width for aquascaping.

+1

I went fom a standard 29 gallon to a Oceanic 50. Same length but 6 inches wider.

It's much easier to clean around the rock because it doesn't have to be on the glass.

If you're going to do a 55 you might was well do a 75 and if you are going to do a 75 you might as well get a 90.

[fufu]

Craigslist yourself an aquarium, you can find some amazing deals that comes with all the extras.

[VacavilleFC3S]

i went from a 20H and a 15g hex to a 90RR and i've never regretted it, did cost about 2k+ though to setup

[arctictwist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15099426#post15099426 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquaman67
+1

I went fom a standard 29 gallon to a Oceanic 50. Same length but 6 inches wider.

It's much easier to clean around the rock because it doesn't have to be on the glass.

If you're going to do a 55 you might was well do a 75 and if you are going to do a 75 you might as well get a 90.

And if your gonna get a 90.....u might as well get a 120....and that's exactly how I ended up in my current build! Lol. U know...after the whole casino trip!

[Mr. Brooks]

GO BIG.

[saltjohnswharf]

Dude. College. Keep it simple. Study hard, make some money, then when you move somewhere more permanent buy a large tank. But 55's suck. The dimensions are crap. Go with a minimum 75 gallon tank.

[scottwhitson]

I agree don't get a 55 they are way to narrow.

[Keith A]

When (if) you decide to upgrade:
1) go at least 75 or bigger. With a 55, the tank is too narrow and you may have some dificulty getting everything to fit. Besides, you may want to upgrade from a 55 to a bigger tanks when you graduate from college.
2) Keep your eyes out for LFS going out of business. There is one in our area that is getting rid of everything. Tanks, skimmers, filters, coral, fish, rock, you name it. It's all used but after a good cleaning, they still work fine and cost a fraction of what new materials would.
3) Maybe wait until after college. It may be tough to manage enough time between school work, socializing, job (if you get or already have one), and maintaining an aquarium. Not to mention the $$$. You could buy an lot of Raomin Noodles and frozen burritos (Staple foods of the college student) for the same amt of money it would cost for a skimmer. Good luck.

[Aerowen]

i upgraded to a 90 from a 24 aq- im in college, and my tank def. gets neglected during midterms and finals.

[Electrobes]

If you are successful with the nano I would stick with it till after at least a year in college. Moving a nano is far more easier, as well as setting it back up. You still get to keep the reef, plus you already know it so you have no worries trying to get down new routines that come with bigger tanks.

Save your money and possibly hassle until you get used to college life. :)

[JustinReef]

I like how an upgrade to most means a bigger tank...I just upgraded (at least in my mind) from a 200G to a 34G :D

I have a life again!!!

[redfishsc]

A 40-breed is, IMO, the perfect "college reef" tank. It's small enough that one person can (usually) carry it empty, has GREAT dimensions, and looks bigger than it really is.


I would not use a 55g. Maybe for a sump, but not for a display tank.

[ChuckLawson]

+1 for the 40 breeder. With a hang-on skimmer and some lights (actually, maybe a canopy and put a locking latch on the door for use in the dorm room), it's a very serviceable tank that takes up not much room, makes a nice display, and can be moved by one person in the back seat or the trunk of a car.

Later on, when you've got room for a larger tank, it'll make a dandy sump or quarantine tank.