10 gallon vs 7 gallon

[zaddy]

Currently, I have a Waterbox 10 (photo attached) and plan to transfer the same live rock with coral to a new tank. I'm deciding between a 7-gallon or another 10-gallon aquarium. Would the 3-gallon reduction significantly impact stability? What other factors should I consider with this downsizing? Lastly, would the difference in size be noticeable in terms of maintenance and performance, or would it feel largely the same overall?

 

[Rjukan]

That's a 30% reduction in size, so it will definitely be noticeable. I have a 7.5g plumbed into my system and it's tiny lol

 

[fishywishy]

Stability will be worse, you can barely have any livestock, and maintenance will be higher. There’s really no benefit in downsizing.

 

[dedragon]

any reason your switching tanks right now? Does the current one have a seam failure or something?

 

[zaddy]

any reason your switching tanks right now? Does the current one have a seam failure or something?

i'm going to transition to barebottom, and i want to avoid any potential mini cycles and or nutrient problems with removing the 2 year + old sandbed. Moreover i get the benefit of clean chambers without stuck sand particles and stuff, as well as fresh new silicone

 

[zaddy]

Stability will be worse, you can barely have any livestock, and maintenance will be higher. There’s really no benefit in downsizing.

well, one benefit is the increased ease of water changes. I will have to remove only about a gallon a week which is dreamy. Moreover, I am not concerned about live stock since it's mainly a reef. I have one damsel, and one lawnmower blenny, that's it. So i think livestock isn't an issue. More so concerned about the potential parameter swings a 7 gall might have as i've never had a smaller tank

 

[dedragon]

I get that but you will be fine with the old tank and wont have to spend any money on a new one. Just drain the tank into a couple of buckets and bring the whole tank outside and hose it off. Waterbox hasnt been around long enough to worry about old silicone (also it was being used so it isnt dried out)

 

[dedragon]

More so concerned about the potential parameter swings a 7 gall might have as i've never had a smaller tank

if you were already dealing with a 10 gallon then a 7 shouldnt be a problem, but parameters are always gonna swing more in smaller tanks

 

[zaddy]

j

 

[zaddy]

if you were already dealing with a 10 gallon then a 7 shouldnt be a problem, but parameters are always gonna swing more in smaller tanks

Thanks! I’ve decided to go for it, largely because of your post. I’m now considering your advice as a binding verbal contract, and if it all crashes, you’ll be hearing from me—and my lawyer!

 

[dedragon]

how? the only difference between the old one and new one will be one was cleaned by you. Take the water out then hose off the entire tank. If you want to be more thorough use bleach, h2o2, vinvegar, citric acid, etc. you wont have to deal with nutrients being thrown into the water

 

[zaddy]

I get that but you will be fine with the old tank and wont have to spend any money on a new one. Just drain the tank into a couple of buckets and bring the whole tank outside and hose it off. Waterbox hasnt been around long enough to worry about old silicone (also it was being used so it isnt dried out)

At this tank size, cost isn’t a concern since it’s only around $100. Removing the sand bed, regardless of the approach, will inevitably cause nutrient imbalances, even with preventive measures. I want to, and will, avoid those complications entirely.

 

[dedragon]

I’m now considering your advice as a binding verbal contract, and if it all crashes, you’ll be hearing from me—and my lawyer!

lol fine u got me by the balls there

 

[zaddy]

how? the only difference between the old one and new one will be one was cleaned by you. Take the water out then hose off the entire tank. If you want to be more thorough use bleach, h2o2, vinvegar, citric acid, etc. you wont have to deal with nutrients being thrown into the water

because there's gunk still stuck in some of the chambers, as well as sand particles which are stuck on and all will be very difficult to remove with a normal pressure hose. New tank guarantees cleaness

 

[zaddy]

lol fine u got me by the balls there

i just placed the order

 

[dedragon]

New tank guarantees cleaness

fine, but if you are just throwing the old one away i want it lol

 

[zaddy]

fine, but if you are just throwing the old one away i want it lol

too late already in the bin, jk, probably will turn into an invert tank

 

[zaddy]

fine, but if you are just throwing the old one away i want it lol

honestly this was probably a subconscious attempt to justify getting more tanks lol