90g vs 180g-Up keep

[paphater]

Let me start off with that I've done fresh water for quite awhile. I'm finishing up a 180g that I'm building that was planned to be an amazon biotope. I've had my 90g salt setup for about a month. As I'm getting closer to finishing the 180 my wife and I are considering making it our saltwater tank. If we are going to do that I'd rather do it from the start but realistically I've only had a taste of saltwater so I'm not entirely sure what I would be getting myself in to vs my current 90g. Is there much of a difference at that size? A lot of my equipment would carry over so really all I would have to buy would be more rock and another light (skimmer is rated for 300g).

The tanks dimensions are 94"x 21" x 21" and it would be predominately lps and easy sps.

 

[brownsalt92]

Let me start off with that I've done fresh water for quite awhile. I'm finishing up a 180g that I'm building that was planned to be an amazon biotope. I've had my 90g salt setup for about a month. As I'm getting closer to finishing the 180 my wife and I are considering making it our saltwater tank. If we are going to do that I'd rather do it from the start but realistically I've only had a taste of saltwater so I'm not entirely sure what I would be getting myself in to vs my current 90g. Is there much of a difference at that size? A lot of my equipment would carry over so really all I would have to buy would be more rock and another light (skimmer is rated for 300g).

The tanks dimensions are 94"x 21" x 21" and it would be predominately lps and easy sps.

Double the volume is a given, but larger volume has a little more give than smaller when a fish dies or something goes goofy. Parameters stay more stable. i went from a 29 gal to a 90 then to a 147 total water volume sps dominate and another system that is 150 gal plus all in 2 years

! Very addicting hobby. Skimmer should work just dont dump a lot of fish in at once. The tank will take so much bioload at once building up good bacteria. If you want to do lps and sps, ask 100 people the same question on lighting and you will get 100 answers. 3 things i wont skimp on is my lighting, flow and my water. Best thing you can dobis read read and then read some more in forums take your time. Dont rush things what you see in magazines is from years of trial and error... im rambling hope this helps

 

[mtraylor]

Moving from 90Gallaon to 180 gallon would be a beneficial change as said above. Chemistry changes are slower in bigger aquariums. The equipment on your 90 will most likely not fulfill your needs on the 180. Going to a 180, I would recommend allot of automation to keep your water parms under control. This would be the easiest method. I"m not sure what kind of reef you want. If you are making a FOWLR, your light from 90 to 180 would be ok. If you are doing corals etc....you will have to supplement lighting, like add another pendant or change out lighting completely. You will need a nice skimmer and bigger sump etc. So there will be more expense involved. A controller would be nice if you already don't have one. I could go on and on to help you spend money :). Just make a spreadsheet so you can compare on what you will need etc. Return pumps, heating/cooling, etc etc. You will most likely need new or more equipment.

Happy Reefing.

 

[Cory]

Let me start off with that I've done fresh water for quite awhile. I'm finishing up a 180g that I'm building that was planned to be an amazon biotope. I've had my 90g salt setup for about a month. As I'm getting closer to finishing the 180 my wife and I are considering making it our saltwater tank. If we are going to do that I'd rather do it from the start but realistically I've only had a taste of saltwater so I'm not entirely sure what I would be getting myself in to vs my current 90g. Is there much of a difference at that size? A lot of my equipment would carry over so really all I would have to buy would be more rock and another light (skimmer is rated for 300g).

The tanks dimensions are 94"x 21" x 21" and it would be predominately lps and easy sps.

Imo the minumum to set up a saltwater tank is an ro/di unit, high intensity lights and some form of nitrogen/ phosphourus removal like an ats or macroalgae refugium.

Bigger tanks allow for more mistakes in chemistry since things deplete slower and rise slower.

 

[paphater]

Thanks guys. I know generally going bigger is going to make everything more stable and in a sense easier. Most of my equipment is way overkill for the 90g. Two Tunze 6105, skimmer is rated for 300g. etc. Really what I'm looking for is whether or not there is some unforeseen aspect or cost of owning a large saltwater tank. In perusing the board I've seen people downgrade because the upkeep and expense was more than they thought it was going to be. Granted most of those setups were sps and around 300g so I know it's all relative.

I was also curious how well that tanks footprint would work in a saltwater setup.

 

[lion king]

Water changes are a bit more labor for the 180, you'll likely be making saltwater. The 180 will give you so many more options in the choice of livestock.

 

[mtraylor]

Thanks guys. I know generally going bigger is going to make everything more stable and in a sense easier. Most of my equipment is way overkill for the 90g. Two Tunze 6105, skimmer is rated for 300g. etc. Really what I'm looking for is whether or not there is some unforeseen aspect or cost of owning a large saltwater tank. In perusing the board I've seen people downgrade because the upkeep and expense was more than they thought it was going to be. Granted most of those setups were sps and around 300g so I know it's all relative.

I was also curious how well that tanks footprint would work in a saltwater setup.

Well as far as the footprint goes, its a long shallow tank, so light penetration will be easier. I personally prefer more depth in aquarium for aquascaping. I think you will do fine. Well just starting off, you will need more than you listed to get started. As some people stated you will do yourself a favor by purchasing an RODI unit and an 40gallon trashcan on wheels for water changes. Or whatever you decide you want to use. Some additional initial costs will be the following that I can think of:

Initial:
1. New Sump
2. Plumbing for new aquarium
3. More Sand if you use it
4. More live Rock
5. Return pump. Something to run all of your equipment.


I believe the basic husbandary costs get some people over whelmed after their initial investment. They start to add up after a while. One little bottle of calcium additive that used to last 6 months is no longer applicable for example. Your cost for the following goes up. Just a few but not limited too....

Additives:
1. Calcium supplement
2. Magnesium supplement
3. PH/ALK balancing
4. Potassium
5. Strontium

To make your life easier for the larger aquarium, I recommend the purchase of the following things. Now you don't have to buy any of these if you don't want too, and you can keep a reef without buying any of them. I"m just giving you some things that will automate allot of your chores and make keeping the reef allot easier.

Recommended:
1. Controller
2. Carbon Reactor
3. GFO Reactor <= If you are going SPS route which sounds like you are not. This may be over kill.
4. Good UV sterilizer
5. Auto Top off <= A most IMO on big aquarium as water can be evaporated at a rapid rate.


That's a good start. So I hope this helps. My recommendation list will help you not to do a bunch of water changes. I do not perform many water changes on my 255 maybe 40 gallons a couple times a year that is about it.

Happy Reefing.

 

[paphater]

Thanks guys, the additives costs were something I was worried about as I haven't started that yet on the 90. As far as equipment goes I already have an Apex, 150gpd BRS RODI, Osmolator ATO, GFO Reactor, sump, plumbing, return pump (though it won't be controllable like the one on my 90), and plenty of flow from power heads.

 

[mtraylor]

Sounds like you have what you need. I buy supplements in bulk to keep cost down. Get them in powder form concentrate. Allot cheaper. A calcium reactor will help limit the amount you have to add as well, and help maintain alk/ph

 

[Devaji]

my 2 cents...
1st off it's great that you and your wife are on the same page ..bonus! and even better you are thinking out loud on R2R yet another BONUS
tons of info here and a great community of refers very willing to help.

I personally I like the size of the tank for a reef. as I like long vrs high but it's worth youtubing some shallow reefs and if there are any reefers locally that you can see in person. you dont want to get it set up then be dang I wish have more height. as with everything there are trad offs.

mtylor post was very informative.
the bottom line yes it will be more $$ to run the 180 but not by much. as you have most of the equipment. I say go for it.
you might end up needing another power head or 2. of course lighting ( the expensive part. but you could cut coast by DIY or buying used ) the good nes here as it a shallow tank so spread vrs punch in in your favor.
you when end up needing more salt than the 90 of course. and as stated above buy CA and mag in bulk if you find you need them.

if you are using all that equipment on the 90 already your energy bill with the 180 should not increase by much ( depending on what you add to the 180)

I would suggest keeping it some what simple to start off with. you can add reactors down the rd once you feel the tanks needs them.
I would suggest a ATS cheap and effective. that along with your skimmer and h2o changes should take care of your take nicely.

you can find sand from reefers taking there tank down rock to if your got time and not in a hurry.
if you are I would suggest the TBS pukani if you want to really kick start your tank.

I think in the end its all about what you want to keep fish wise as the 180 sure does open up alot of options. I could see a nice wrasse collection and a tang or 3.

should post a pic of this beautiful tank for us. :D

 

[chefjpaul]

double the water storage tanks. and more rodi filters. The rest can be added as needed.