BIG TANKS versus smaller tanks...Which do you prefer and why?

[Dburr1014]

I want bigger than my current tank. I currently have standard 75 Reef ready tank. I've mostly had only four foot tanks. At one point I had a 5-foot tank and it was so much easier to Aquascape. So my idea of a big tank, a perfect tank, for me is a 6-foot 125 up to a 180.

 

[pandaparties]

I'm still getting my big build setup (500g) but tradeoffs to both. With big tanks obviously you have way more options in terms of stocking and size of corals - getting to keep things like sharks or rays and getting to let your coral actually grow without regular trimming seems so awesome but man its expensive and the setup is waaaay harder. So many considerations like power consumption, dedicated circuits, water changing, humidity etc. that you never would have thought about with a smaller tank. Not to mention the price doesn't scale linearly... my skimmer alone was more than my entire 50g setup (1500). After its setup though you can automate everything pretty nicely and the maitenance doesn't seem terrible

 

[GeoSquid]

I have had a180 gallon for 4 years now - mostly all softies. I thought it was big when I got it, but it doesn't seem big anymore. I don't change as much water as I used to though! Fish seem happier in a bigger tank.

 

[Craigk]

Personally I prefer smaller tanks, currently nano. Not because they're somehow easier or hugely cheaper (often not!) but because I find them more focused. Every little thing matters (pun intended), so I feel more engaged and I can't just cram in everything I see. In larger tanks, I've always had a handful of favourite corals amongst many. In smaller tanks, they're all my favourites

 

[Young@Heart]

My wife and I are thinking of a Bigger Tank, but is 180 big enough or move to a 300 Gallon (other questions too - move, retirement and so on...). I would consider anything over 100 gallons a Big Tank. As for BIG TANKS versus smaller tanks... I have had both (and currently do) - The Larger Tank is more forgiving (larger water volume) it allows more slack for mistakes in water chemistry. Another advantage of the Larger Tank is that it can be used as furniture. I have a 180 Peninsula Tank and use it to extend a wall. As a result of the furniture aspect, I spent the $$$ for 2 AP700's.

 

[McPuff]

Bigger tanks are more appealing to me because of the fish I can put in them. I'm more drawn to the fish but the corals are a great side addiction. Since I like having larger colonies more than tons of small pieces, it also works out well as I don't need to have 300+ corals to fill up my 300gal. I would go bigger if/when I can but not overly so. A footprint of 8' x 4' is perfect in my opinion yet I would probably not put any more rockwork than I have in my 300, just space it out more. The extra swimming space would mean more fish. And if I kept the volume under 450-500 gal the equipment stays at a more "modest" price point and I already have most of what I'd need anyway. That's one thing about going really large... price does not scale linearly for anything!

 

[MONTANTK]

For reef tanks I prefer smaller just because it’s easier in my opinion to maintain. For fish however I prefer larger tanks because it gives me more options! Especially when I comes to Angels

 

[Clownfish_Boy]

75 gallons is my max. My water prep drum is only 15 gallons, so that can only support water changes for up to 75 gallons.

 

[Fishyfish22]

love my big tank because of how many possibilities there are and how much easier it is to maintain, but small tanks have that sort of artsy aesthetic thats hard to get sometimes

 

[Pirat1]

Red Sea Max Nano

 

[Jax15]

I have a 100G now, sure felt big when I got it. Now it feels pretty medium For most people I'd think 100 is a big tank. I'd like to go up to 200 personally, but that's probably my max.

I'm not sure I'd want a true monster unless I paid for a maintenance tech. But I sure love watching all of you out there on R2R build them!! I love the monster build threads - keep it up ya'll.

 

[MBinNY]

Started with a 75 about 10 years ago now I’ve got a 520 and a 1450 running.

 

[Eric Armstrong]

Currently, I am enjoying multiple smaller tanks all tied together to one sump. Simple water changes because it’s still not a massive amount of water. Also, being able to do multiple different styles of aquascapes is interesting to me.

 

[Ardeus]

2 years ago I had a 100 gallon half cube and I felt sorry for the fish (we're talking dwarf angels) and I doubled their space.

I still feel sorry for them.

 

[CMMorgan]

Of course I want nothing more than to have a large system set up but since we are renting this home, and I know at some point in my future I will move again before I get to my forever home (or so to speak) I just have not wanted to commit to such a large water volume. So for now we enjoy the presence of nanos for my systems!

One day I will have a huge system... for now though I will enjoy my nano reefs!

As beautiful as your nano's are.... we won't complain. You have made it an art form.

 

[ThRoewer]

Have you ever dreamed of getting a bigger reef tank? Doesn't everyone want a bigger tank? I personally always did but after having a "bigger" tank I'm dreaming of smaller! HA! How about you? Let's talk about it!

1. How many gallons do you consider a "BIG" tank?

2. BIG TANKS versus smaller tanks...Which do you prefer and why?

YES this is going to be a 4200g reef aquarium! image via @dca22anderson

Bigger, MUCH BIGGER!
That small cube is hardly worth the effort!

 

[littlebigreef]

I’m in the process of moving and I chose to go from a 220 (with a 125 piggy-backed for my fuge/farm) to a 125 display. Everyone one said the same thing, “you’re going in the wrong direction!” Fact is the smaller tank can go in the greatroom at my new house so I can enjoy it all day as opposed to only after the family has gone to bed. Further, it’s easier to do water changes, the aquarium is packed (done essentially) and it’ll be easier to dial in (since I’m not supporting a zoa farm.) All that being said, I now have an 8’x30”x20” wood trough in my basement as a stand alone farm.

IMO when you go from 4’ to 6’ you’re in big tank land (or 90 to 125 g.)

Which do I prefer? I guess it all boils down to budget and goals.

 

[Waynerock]

Bigger for fish smaller for corals. Coral colony’s get lost in big tanks.

 

[FrontRangeReefer]

As much as I would like to go big, I am still learning how to responsibly manage my Marine X 60.2 and far from expert with any of this. I am focused on being “one with my tank” before I attempt building anything bigger, like a peninsula. That being said, I am fully addicted and have aspirations of building a decent frag tank in the not-too-distant future.

 

[ying yang]

Bigger the better i would say.
With living on 2nd floor flat was hard enough getting 300 litre tank up the stairs which am currently 3 weeks into cycling dt and 16 days into cycling qt tank