Need Tank purchasing advice

[tankslayer69]

HI everyone,
i currently have a well established 20 gallon mixed reef tank. i have possum wrasse, 2 clowns, a firefish, and a springer damsel. my corals have gsp, toadstool , torches, mushrooms, zoa and hammers. everythjng is going great, i do run low on nutrients so I feed heavy and struggle sometimes to get anythjing other than 0 for nitrates and phosphates, but this has not been too much of aproblem. i am running 3 nicrew 30w lights for 10hrs a day, and have a fluval 207 canister filter with uv sterilizer. no skimmer.

My question is this, I want to upgrade, looking to spend as little money as possible, but upgrade to a larger tank. my current tank is the Aqueon Standard Open-Glass Aquarium Tank, 20 Gallon, which is
25 long by 17.25 IN tall by 13.25 IN wide.

should i get a completely new tank with new lights, or should i risk tranfering stuff over? i am scared to move over all my coral , it took so long and things are good now. if i move to a new tank, will i need to cycle it with a light? like how will i light my new tank while its cycling if i need all my old lights for my good tank? at this point i juts just upgrade evrything ,maybe?

i like this tank but i would like maybe an wider one, 36 inches, but not thick, i dont need depth . i was thinking about getting an aio since im upgrading, but does it make sense? i already have well estalished equipment, should i get just a bigger petco tank ? i want something nicer though

I really like the redsea nano xxl, which is https://redseafish.com/aquarium-systems/max-nano-g2-xxl/ here. but is it worth it, i have the lights already and its expensive. the jbj 65 is similair in size, but is a 65 too big for me?

any advice about moving tanks, budget tanks, budget lighting (i would like the cheapest good quality lights that i can still program customize), about my situation would help, just want to hear what yall went through

Thanks

 

[Tahoe61]

As you already know tanks with stands and sumps are pretty expensive.
Have you tried looking on Facebook market place. I see individuals getting great deals all the time.
Since it sounds like you're undecided I would look at the IM 40-50 or a JBJ 45. I don't know if you need a stand. Doubling the volume of what you currently have seems like a reasonable approach. If you can afford bigger, go for it.
Red Sea tanks have always seemed very, very over priced.


That's are very nice tank. BTW.

 

[mjszos]

I'll address your questions from the top down with my own, anecdotal experience.. Hope this helps and feel free to ask any questions, I'm far from an expert but I've gone through this a few times in the last 5-6 years.

should i get a completely new tank with new lights, or should i risk tranfering stuff over?
You may end up needing new lights depending on the size increase of tank. However, you can also setup your scape temporarily in a way that would allow you to maintain your current equipment and upgrade as you go.
There is minimal risk in transferring stuff over assuming you're diligent in setting up the new tank.
will i need to cycle it with a light?
You do not need a light to cycle. On the contrary, if you're in no rush it's typically better to cycle without a light to minimize the potential for nuisance algae while the bacteria seeds itself in your rock/substrate.
i was thinking about getting an aio since im upgrading, but does it make sense?
There are arguments for and against AIO's. It's largely personal preference. Personally, I avoid AIO's because I like having a sump where I can house equipment, more rock, etc. It takes the same footprint and allows for more space inside of the tank for critters.
but is a 65 too big for me?
You're in a smaller tank currently, and itching for a larger tank. The general consensus is to get the biggest tank you can reasonably keep. Why? Because as you get more water volume, it's "easier" due to fluctuations being diluted due to increased water volume. And also because you'll always want a bigger tank.
any advice about moving tanks
If you have the luxury of having 2 tanks setup simultaneously, this makes everything MUCH easier. Setup the new tank at your own pace, let it cycle (you can move a piece of rock from your current tank to help with this process). Then when you're ready, just drip acclimate your livestock and move it over.
budget tanks,
Your budget may be different than my budget. Used tanks will always be the least expensive, but in my opinion come with additional risk. I would always encourage a new tank if possible from a reputable manufacturer (I like Innovative Marine, Waterbox, Cade. I'm jaded on Red Sea due to a personal seam failure, but they're a massive company and I refuse to believe that their failed tanks make up the majority of tanks they produce)
budget lighting

Noopsyche makes great, affordable lights. Same with Nicrew, and Orphek for a step up in price but also presumably quality.

 

[Ryan - Serious Reefs]

Would you consider a 60 rimless cube ? It’s an inexpensive upgrade for a really flexible shape. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...rge-fish-tanks/aqueon-frameless-cube-aquarium

 

[Idech]

Just don’t buy a Red Sea tank.

 

[ozs]

I second the 60 cube idea. I have one and I love it. Started with a biocube 32 and the whole time I felt cramped in there, I wish I would have just started with this one.

 

[DexterKarin]

Just to give you confidence, I upgraded tank used new sand some of the existing rock and new rock. Because of existing rock, it was cycled enough to take corals and fish immediately once the dust cleared. I moved fish and corals over in a few days and watched parameters closely. No ammonia spikes, Corals fine, fish fine. It wasn't that big of a deal .