Let's talk downsizing

[TheAquaNerd]

We all know bigger is better. Once you get the bug there is never enough room. Ease of keeping things in checked. Ability to keep various livestock, larger colonies. They're just better, lol. Well Minus the cost, but who keeps track of that anyway :grinning-face-with-sweat:


Life changes and sometimes fast and unexpectedly. Current situation is really calling for a down size.

Currently have a Reefer 425xl. Considering going to the FIJICube Peninsula 38.
I figured if downsizing I could at least get the style of tank I have always wanted. Having a view of the other longest side would make it feel less constricted.
I started in with a IM Nuvo 30l. I still to this day love that tank. It's a freshwater system these days (added a photo of it as fresh just for fun). It's actually going away to a local business soon though.I came into the 425xl by chance. It's a set up I don't know if I would ever spend that kinda dough on again, or even be able to. All together it's about a $10,000 setup. I hate to lose it but I hate to have one just sit. I know it's no ideal for the seams either.

I do have a Reefer 170 sitting around I just hate cubes lol. Only pro is it has a roller mat. Otherwise not a fan. I have always preferred length over width.
Smaller tank is better than no tank though. Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar situation and how it went. Did you make the move? Figured it out and kept going? Or just full of regret lol

I was a field maintenance supervisor at the LFS for 2.5 years. No idea why I am having such a trouble wit the choice haha.

 

[JumboShrimp]

It seems as if you've given the change-over more than adequate thought, pros and cons. Time to implement your plan. Lol. ;)

 

[rtparty]

Last May I sold off all my livestock from my 250 and shut the tank down. I was in need of a hard reset and break from the grind. Especially when everything was taking up my Saturdays to try and keep it going smoothly.

I turned the 250 into a vivarium with dart frogs and it’s the easiest thing ever.

I had no intentions of another aquarium at the time. So I enjoyed my summer and no tank. In September I was talking to a good friend and he mentioned using TBS sand to fight off the ugly stage or even eliminate it from ever happening.

So I got a 25g AIO setup and tested the theory. Passed with flying colors. No ugly stage. No slimes, no crazy hair algae, just easy.

I am now having a custom 90g built because going too small is a major pain after having a big tank. Hopefully the 90g satisfied the compromise because setting up the 250 again is out of the question with the frogs doing so well.

Do I regret going smaller? Yes and no. We will see how the 90 pans out

 

[JumboShrimp]

Have you thought of doing a 90-gallon FOWLR and enjoying some fish that you not have had in the past? Also far less maintenance, as you know. ;)

 

[vlangel]

We all know bigger is better. Once you get the bug there is never enough room. Ease of keeping things in checked. Ability to keep various livestock, larger colonies. They're just better, lol. Well Minus the cost, but who keeps track of that anyway :grinning-face-with-sweat:


Life changes and sometimes fast and unexpectedly. Current situation is really calling for a down size.

Currently have a Reefer 425xl. Considering going to the FIJICube Peninsula 38.
I figured if downsizing I could at least get the style of tank I have always wanted. Having a view of the other longest side would make it feel less constricted.
I started in with a IM Nuvo 30l. I still to this day love that tank. It's a freshwater system these days (added a photo of it as fresh just for fun). It's actually going away to a local business soon though.I came into the 425xl by chance. It's a set up I don't know if I would ever spend that kinda dough on again, or even be able to. All together it's about a $10,000 setup. I hate to lose it but I hate to have one just sit. I know it's no ideal for the seams either.

I do have a Reefer 170 sitting around I just hate cubes lol. Only pro is it has a roller mat. Otherwise not a fan. I have always preferred length over width.
Smaller tank is better than no tank though. Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar situation and how it went. Did you make the move? Figured it out and kept going? Or just full of regret lol

I was a field maintenance supervisor at the LFS for 2.5 years. No idea why I am having such a trouble wit the choice haha.

I found myself being forced to downsize about 15 yrs ago. My mother in law who lived with us had a stroke and was confined to bed. Her care was so overwhelming to me that I couldnt care for my tanks too. So I sold all my fish and livestock which was very painful. My husband talked me into getting a much smaller tank so I went from 300 gallons of water to 36 gallon! I actually loved the smaller tank and when I could handle a bit bigger tank I only went to a 56 gallon reef. As I have aged myself I actually am glad to have a moderate sized tank so everything worked for the best.

 

[FishTruck]

My life was simple when I had a 55 gallon tank that could be broken down and moved to a new location in a day with just me!

 

[Rhetoric]

Bigger isn't better.

I stand with a small minority of this hobby.

I'll argue with anyone about it too.

I don't hate big tanks they are amazing and full of life. I'm not looking for a fight here.

I dont want to manage a big tank or the cost of it. I have a life outside of reefing.

I had a 90g for 3 years and now run a 20g.

Things I know about my reefing journey.

1. I have self control regarding collectoritis

Once you get the bug there is never enough room

2. Id rather have small over nothing.

Smaller tank is better than no tank though.

3. Testing regularly makes the reefer. (Not tank size)

I was a field maintenance supervisor at the LFS for 2.5 years. No idea why I am having such a trouble wit the choice haha

I speak for me and how I want to reef. I take cost, time, wants, and needs into account. I accept limits to enjoy reefing my way.

what is it YOU really want?

Ease of keeping things in checked. Ability to keep various livestock, larger colonies. They're just better, lol.

 

[TheAquaNerd]

Last May I sold off all my livestock from my 250 and shut the tank down. I was in need of a hard reset and break from the grind. Especially when everything was taking up my Saturdays to try and keep it going smoothly.

I turned the 250 into a vivarium with dart frogs and it’s the easiest thing ever.

I had no intentions of another aquarium at the time. So I enjoyed my summer and no tank. In September I was talking to a good friend and he mentioned using TBS sand to fight off the ugly stage or even eliminate it from ever happening.

So I got a 25g AIO setup and tested the theory. Passed with flying colors. No ugly stage. No slimes, no crazy hair algae, just easy.

I am now having a custom 90g built because going too small is a major pain after having a big tank. Hopefully the 90g satisfied the compromise because setting up the 250 again is out of the question with the frogs doing so well.

Do I regret going smaller? Yes and no. We will see how the 90 pans out

I have wanted a riparium myself. Just never followed through I had a 75 gallon ready for it but sold it recently. I know I will want bigger again too lol

 

[TheAquaNerd]

Have you thought of doing a 90-gallon FOWLR and enjoying some fish that you not have had in the past? Also far less maintenance, as you know. ;)

The space and size is more of the issue than the livestock. My tank is so dialed in now. It makes me sick that it's this good and has to change. PH and ALK are no more than .5 var a day. It's just now really taking off. I had another tank ready for a FWOLR and some ****** old Fiji rock. The 170 was gonna be an octopus tank, or a shot at seahorses

 

[TheAquaNerd]

My life was simple when I had a 55 gallon tank that could be broken down and moved to a new location in a day with just me!

Yeah this move will be followed by another 4 months later :/. I have carried my 75 rimless solo but was not fun lol

 

[TheAquaNerd]

Bigger isn't better.

I stand with a small minority of this hobby.

I'll argue with anyone about it too.

I don't hate big tanks they are amazing and full of life. I'm not looking for a fight here.

I dont want to manage a big tank or the cost of it. I have a life outside of reefing.

I had a 90g for 3 years and now run a 20g.

Things I know about my reefing journey.

1. I have self control regarding collectoritis

2. Id rather have small over nothing.

3. Testing regularly makes the reefer. (Not tank size)

I speak for me and how I want to reef. I take cost, time, wants, and needs into account. I accept limits to enjoy reefing my way.

what is it YOU really want?

I def tend to go all in on anything and I want it all. Even now Im thinking of only keeping a few things and gifting the rest to some friends.

I run an apex and sentia losers. Only thing not auto is water changes. ATO last about a week or so. I would like to travel more at some point for sure. I use to quite a bit

I'd love to keep em all and add a 200 peninsula to the line up lol. I love it and there is too much soil stuff out there.
Working maintenance for a LFS allowed me to have so many systems that still felt like mine to a degree since I was responsible for all their care. Also made the addiction worse. Getting to really see someone else keep something you didn't have and finding out you liked it. Was hard to not grab one for yourself

 

[TheAquaNerd]

*Update*

I will be doing the downsize. A buddy is going to take the 425xl in trade for a Fijicube 38 peninsula.
I plan on actually documenting this build for once lol. New tank should be here next week!