Difference in Preference: Do you prefer bigger or smaller tanks? Why?

McPuff · Sep 17, 2024

I have always wanted a bigger tank, regardless of the tank I've currently got. Right now I've got a 300DD but would love to have something with a footprint of 8' x 3'... probably right around 400 gal or so. Anything bigger than that would really push me way up the exponential cost curve and require a lot more space and resources than I would want. The good and bad news is that it would be VERY challenging to get anything that big into my basement. So it means I keep the 300DD which isn't a bad situation.

Bottom line: bigger is better, but only to a point.

Timfish · Sep 17, 2024

Chris L · Sep 17, 2024

I guess i really need to know what is considered small and Large. Large for me would be 120 (which i had at one time). Small is what i currently have which is 35. The main difference for me is easier maintenance. One 5 gallon water change per week is simple and effective in a small tank. You break your back with something larger like a 120 gallon. Yes i know you can invest in automatic water changes but i'm just trying to live simple LOL.

danimal1211 · Sep 17, 2024

They both have their own aesthetic as well as pros and cons. I think a fully stocked mature nano is beautiful in way larger systems just aren’t. Small tanks are also a bit more intimate as far as care goes, such as feeding fish individually.
Stability is not nearly as difficult as some say. A properly setup ATO and temp controller make it very simple.