real world reefing delima...your thoughts plz

[Devaji]

so long story short i got a nice new RS 750 XXL on BF was slowing getting the goodies for the build and life happens you know the story and its still not set up :(

was talking to the land loard last moth he said he might move back in to the place. but not until fall.
but he not 100% sure what he is doing.

so my question is, knowing this should I go ahead a set of the tank or wait until he knows. renting there is always a chance of moving out. I have a 40br QT set up and running with 3 fish. there fine there but it would be nice to move them over to there new home.

buying in my area not really an option as average home goes for 2.2M.

in hind site a Nano would have been better...haha just got excited about having a real tank again.
sigh...

so all you reefers out there talk me through the pros and cons

 

[P-Dub]

Ultimately I think you really know what is the smartest route to go. Whatever you decide I would first seriously consider finding another place to live yourself. A little piece of mind goes a long way in an already uncertain world of reef keeping and knowing you will have to only break down one tank, move, and then set up two is easier on the mind and the back. Murphy'slaw would dictate that as soon as you have your new setup running you will get the news your landlord wants to move in. I, personally say, head off all that uncertainty at the pass and go find a new home with some more certainty of longevity.

 

[Brett S]

Moving a fully stocked fish tank is definitely possible, but it is not easy or fun and moving one that big will be close to a full day of back breaking work moving heavy buckets of water, sand, rock and livestock.

Personally I wouldn’t set it up now knowing that you might need to move it in a few months. I might wait until the landlord makes his decision and it looks like you will at least be able to leave it set up for a while before you have to move it.

 

[BadFish619]

If you're willing to do the work then why not? I once set up a 55 knowing full well I'd be upgrading in 2 months. Its part of the fun!

 

[andrewkw]

Since you are renting and will be renting again I suggest you get a new either frag tank or used tank in the 50-100 gallon range. You could in theory use the 750 for this but a) that's too nice of a tank to setup like this b) having it empty will mean if you do move you can move the empty tank first then the corals / fish. Ideally you can set this tank up elsewhere from where you want the 750 to go. That way if you don't end up moving you can just transfer everything in once you have a better idea.

Fall is not that far away. You will know for sure soon enough, but if you want to get started today with new stuff just pick up any old use tank and use that for holding assuming your 40 is already full or just for fish.

 

[Jon Fishman]

I wouldn’t want to move an empty tank that large that often, let-alone a fully setup one

 

[Devaji]

thanks everyone for your thoughts...its killing me that the center piece of the living room is a new empty tank. but as @P-Dub pointed out as soon as I have it set up would need to move it. I held off on a big tank for a few years and as soon as I get one with in a few months I "might" have to leave. boo

I told myself no more big tanks until I own a place. got excited as the GF said why not have one big tank instead of two smaller ones..haha

thought about setting it up as a fresh water planted tank...cheaper ...maybe but then what do I do with 50 FW fish.

I think I am gonna go look for property in the next town over driving to work might be a drag tho.

 

[Mariette]

I’ve moved a 55g freshwater tank and it was a chore. Doable. But no fun. SW tanks are, as you know, much more complicated. The logical part of me says to wait but the other part says hi for it loL. Decisions decisions.

 

[Xam]

I hate to see you in such a dilemma, so please allow me to play devils advocate?

For most of us, this is a hobby... please dont let a hobby dictate your life. For example, if you love the city where you live, dont look elsewhere just so you can fill your new tank.

Besides, life has a weird way of working out.

On to the original question, I would wait to fill the tank if there is a possibility of moving soon.

Best of luck!