many small tanks vs. one big tank??? which is better? (totally random question)

[person]

Hello, guys this is a random question and i just want to see what you guys say for fun. Sooo..... do you guys think that it is better to own multiple smaller tanks or just one very large tank? I am really eager to see what you guys say!

 

[officialreefbros]

Great question! I love my 25g tanks but my ideal setup would be like a 150 shallow tank so I can do a yellow tang, black tang and cbb. Then have a separate frag tang to support my coral addiction

 

[WalkerLoves_TheOcean]

One bigger. You can get bigger fish, water parameters are more stable, and I guess you could say maintenance is less because you don't have to go clean a bunch of smaller tanks, you only have to do 1 tank.

 

[stoney7713]

Hello, guys this is a random question and i just want to see what you guys say for fun. Sooo..... do you guys think that it is better to own multiple smaller tanks or just one very large tank? I am really eager to see what you guys say!

Depends on what you consider smaller, I've had a lot of tanks at one time, mostly freshwater, but a few small saltwater.

Anything smaller than 40 I just feel is not as enjoyable. Too limited on space and stock.

A single giant tank, would be better than a bunch of small ones. Or a few midsize tanks.

 

[VintageReefer]

I have a 1.1g, a 15g, and a 75.


I planned to get a bigger main tank but changed directions and am getting a 83g which is essentially a 75 but 2” bigger. I really like the 48” size, and once you go to the 6’ and bigger range the price of bigger things (more / bigger lights, stronger / more wavemakers, bigger sump, bigger cabinet, etc really adds up quick)

 

[Reefering1]

There's nothing like a big tank(150g starting point). once you figure things out, you will run out of space quickly. Big tanks are more money in equipment/ rock/ elements. As for cost, I see tanks as 2 foot sections. 4' tank requires double the equipment of a 2' tank, but is 2/3 of a 6 foot tank.
If a novice, Maintaining multiple tanks can be a challenge

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I have MTS. But I do like multiples in 40g ish. Tropical SPS, Temperate, Tropical softie, frag..

 

[crabgrass]

One bigger. You can get bigger fish, water parameters are more stable, and I guess you could say maintenance is less because you don't have to go clean a bunch of smaller tanks, you only have to do 1 tank.

The stability thing is huge and overlooked. While there is more upfront cost for a 48" tank, I actaully feel like the maintenance is the same or maybe less than my 20g. Water changes are about the same time (although I have a more efficent method for my 48"), still have to change the socks and skimmer the same amount. A sump actually makes some activities faster as well (e.g. cleaning a pump in an AIO). And then not having to stress about water parameters quite as much.