Fluval Evo is feeling small... what next?

[tombudster]

I have had my Fluval Evo setup for a few months at this point, and I just bought a PNW Customs 5G Small-In-One XL on a whim at my LFS. I have upgraded all of my Fluval stuff, 3D printed baskets and upgraded filtration, lights, pumps, wavemakers, air stones, the whole 9 yards.

I am fully engulfed already and have been spending every spare second I have with the tank. The Fluval has been doing amazingly with a few hiccups, but everybody is happy and healthy inside the tank. But obviously... I want more.

I am yearning for a larger tank and I don't really know where to go from here. We have limited space in our ranch home, and while I could *make* the space, the cost of a massive tank over 100+ gallons (including supports in the basement, sumps, drilling through walls into the basement, and ongoing maintenance) sort of terrifies me and pushes me away from my dream of having a Porcupine Puffer. I would probably prefer to stay with an AIO, but I'm not sure if it's worth it to just suck it up and put a larger setup in upstairs with a dedicated sump in a cabinet instead of routing everything into the basement.

But I have some questions -

- Is there a limit in terms of tank size and resulting weight in which you would need to start adding structural support to the floors?

- Am I really limiting myself by choosing an AIO instead of sucking it up and grabbing a traditional tank with a sump underneath?

- Are there any AIO options that are better than others? LFS has a 40 gallon Aquatop Recife for a great price, but could/should I just go bigger?

- What is the cost difference really between a 40-75g and a 100+ gallon tank in terms of ongoing maintenance and not including more equipment such as lights?

- Am I crazy for thinking of upgrading already when I have a 15 month old and another on the way (wife approved btw)?

Really appreciate any advice/guidance here. My LFS is amazing but obviously they want me to get a monster tank so they can get another client... or atleast that's what I tell myself

 

[Saltyreef]

I built a custom 50g while my first one was young and it ended up being too much for me to even finish. I decided to downsize the tank i had online to a smaller AIO and its been just right even with my 2nd.
Its only 20g but now im yurning for something bigger.
Whatever you do, dont get too caught up in planning the build. Find something turn key and plan it with as much automation as possible so you can sit back and enjoy the tank as well as enjoy your kids and help out your wife with as much as you can.
Best of luck and congratulations on the 2nd soon to be addition!

 

[PPBlimpy]

I went to a 75 after only 1 month. then a 125 after 5 months. then a 300 at the 1 year mark.

the 13.5 has been set up and taken down multiple times in the past 3 years and currently being used by a buddy who wanted to get into saltwater.

it will come back to me soon as he has been bitten and wants to go bigger after only 2 months.

i will probably set it back up as a shroom tank to go jawbrakers or some other cool mushroom.i will tie it to my main system. no fish just inverters to keep stuff clean

 

[tombudster]

I built a custom 50g while my first one was young and it ended up being too much for me to even finish. I decided to downsize the tank i had online to a smaller AIO and its been just right even with my 2nd.
Its only 20g but now im yurning for something bigger.
Whatever you do, dont get too caught up in planning the build. Find something turn key and plan it with as much automation as possible so you can sit back and enjoy the tank as well as enjoy your kids and help out your wife with as much as you can.
Best of luck and congratulations on the 2nd soon to be addition!

I think I'm getting what you're putting down here. Go with a simple AIO that isn't a logistical nightmare and take the time I would spend building a custom setup to take my family around to all the fish stores nearby and buy more coral. Got it

It's funny though, the one thing that I didn't think about was the time aspect. I didn't even think about how much work doing a custom build would actually be in the beginning.

And thank you! She's due on Christmas, which is just absolutely amazing....ly the worst timing ever.

But it's great watching the little guy stare at the clownfish in the tank and seeing him interact with it, the same way I did as a kid. I feel like just with dogs, growing up with fish teaches you a great deal of responsibility early on and the lessons learned are invaluable.

 

[NeedAReef]

use it for a hospital/grow out tank when you are done. I have the 15g version perfect for observation hospital

 

[tombudster]

use it for a hospital/grow out tank when you are done. I have the 15g version perfect for observation hospital

It was either going to be that or a copepod breeder. Definitely need a QT tank once you get a bit bigger and can have more fish.

 

[xxoczukxx]

- Is there a limit in terms of tank size and resulting weight in which you would need to start adding structural support to the floors?

depends on your house and floor. Would probably need an inspector or engineer to see it to tell

- Am I really limiting myself by choosing an AIO instead of sucking it up and grabbing a traditional tank with a sump underneath?

you are limiting yourself on space for equipment you may want to add eventually. sumps provide a nice place to keep things hidden as well as extra water volume

- What is the cost difference really between a 40-75g and a 100+ gallon tank in terms of ongoing maintenance and not including more equipment such as lights?

however much your salt/water costs. The only difference is that you will need more water to fill it and more water to do water changes.

When you get into dosing it will cost more as well as youre dosing for a larger water volume.

 

[Saltyreef]

I think I'm getting what you're putting down here. Go with a simple AIO that isn't a logistical nightmare and take the time I would spend building a custom setup to take my family around to all the fish stores nearby and buy more coral. Got it

It's funny though, the one thing that I didn't think about was the time aspect. I didn't even think about how much work doing a custom build would actually be in the beginning.

And thank you! She's due on Christmas, which is just absolutely amazing....ly the worst timing ever.

But it's great watching the little guy stare at the clownfish in the tank and seeing him interact with it, the same way I did as a kid. I feel like just with dogs, growing up with fish teaches you a great deal of responsibility early on and the lessons learned are invaluable.

Haha exactly! It doesnt have to even be an all in one. IM and redsea make some decent sumped tanks.
And wow christmas is much worse timing than my 4th of july baby .

Its very fun taking them to the shops and having them pick stuff out though sometimes it does get frusterating.
Just remember, the time goes by too fast and enjoy it while you can.

I had a buddy who lost a very nice established reef because his daughter gave the fishies a bubble bath