Tank upgrade or stay?

[jjrambo124]

Hey all
So I have a 40B. I have an opportunity to upgrade to 75 or 125.
Problem is I don’t know which. I have one filters rated for 100, plus skimmer and Uv rated for 100 and 200.
My 40b is 3 years old, I know transferring to the 75 will be easier but that 125 is tempting. What do y’all think? I think I just need to buy one more big filter and lots of rock and sand for both, just I don’t know how to transfer to a such a larger tank of 125 while trying to keep my fish alive and transfer nicely during this. PLEASE HELP NEED YALLS ADVICE

 

[Schlafrig]

Depends on what you want out of the tank. Do you want to do a fowler system or do you plan on keeping corals too? 125 will be more expensive with lighting depending on the requirements but will give you more options with livestock. Really it comes down to your budget and what you want to keep

 

[jjrambo124]

Depends on what you want out of the tank. Do you want to do a fowler system or do you plan on keeping corals too? 125 will be more expensive with lighting depending on the requirements but will give you more options with livestock. Really it comes down to your budget and what you want to keep

More than likely a FOWLR. The tank I’m looking at both of them come with a light. I’m just don’t know how to keep the fish alive while making 70 gallons of salt

 

[Schlafrig]

If you're doing FOWLR I would do the 125. You could premix the water in something like a brute trashcan or Rubbermaid then use a pump to fill up the tank. Or use the Rubbermaid as a temporary holding "tank"

 

[BonnieB]

I did this recently with the 70? Or 100? question and debating with myself. Ultimately I decided I wanted ample room for my current corals to grow and expand, room to bring in some sps and make it a true mixed reef, and more fish to watch and enjoy. If you haven’t already guessed, I went with a 100 which arrived today! So glad as I see it in my house that I did! Once it’s ready to have everything moved over I think my fish and corals will be thanking me!

 

[UncommonSense]

Would you be drilling the new tank for a sump? Or using HOB equipment?

 

[Gundy]

If you can afford it, go with the 125. You will have more options for fish and less likely to want to upgrade to a larger tank in the near future.

 

[not_eman209]

Go big or go home lol, you’ll get the upgrade itch again

 

[BryanM]

Hey all
So I have a 40B. I have an opportunity to upgrade to 75 or 125.
Problem is I don’t know which. I have one filters rated for 100, plus skimmer and Uv rated for 100 and 200.
My 40b is 3 years old, I know transferring to the 75 will be easier but that 125 is tempting. What do y’all think? I think I just need to buy one more big filter and lots of rock and sand for both, just I don’t know how to transfer to a such a larger tank of 125 while trying to keep my fish alive and transfer nicely during this. PLEASE HELP NEED YALLS ADVICE

If you've got the bug, which it sounds like you do - I'd go bigger.

 

[jjrambo124]

I did this recently with the 70? Or 100? question and debating with myself. Ultimately I decided I wanted ample room for my current corals to grow and expand, room to bring in some sps and make it a true mixed reef, and more fish to watch and enjoy. If you haven’t already guessed, I went with a 100 which arrived today! So glad as I see it in my house that I did! Once it’s ready to have everything moved over I think my fish and corals will be thanking me!

That’s awesome congratulations! Let me know how the transfer goes and how you did it!

 

[jjrambo124]

Would you be drilling the new tank for a sump? Or using HOB equipment?

Hob likely

 

[jjrambo124]

This is my only issue. I am currently in an apartment building. I will move to a house just not for another 2 or more years and don’t know if it’s even possible to move a 125. Should’ve said this earlier oops

 

[BonnieB]

I did this recently with the 70? Or 100? question and debating with myself. Ultimately I decided I wanted ample room for my current corals to grow and expand, room to bring in some sps and make it a true mixed reef, and more fish to watch and enjoy. If you haven’t already guessed, I went with a 100 which arrived today! So glad as I see it in my house that I did! Once it’s ready to have everything moved over I think my fish and corals will be thanking me!

That’s awesome congratulations! Let me know how the transfer goes and how you did it!

I’ll be starting a tank thread. Friday it will be aquascaped and up and running to being cycling… the moving of all “my babies” will be a marathon and not a race so that I hopefully don’t lose them in the process!! My best advice after my contemplation journey is think ahead about what your tank goal is and what that will require. I have no regrets starting small but I definitely didn’t think I’d have to upgrade before a year was up!!

 

[BryanM]

This is my only issue. I am currently in an apartment building. I will move to a house just not for another 2 or more years and don’t know if it’s even possible to move a 125. Should’ve said this earlier oops

Depends on your definition of move :)

People move tanks of this size often, but in your current scenario I'd take my statement back, and I'd just do the smaller upsize. Wait for the house to go bigger.

 

[UncommonSense]

This is my only issue. I am currently in an apartment building. I will move to a house just not for another 2 or more years and don’t know if it’s even possible to move a 125. Should’ve said this earlier oops

ah! Therein lies another issue… a 125g tank is going to weigh around 1,300-1,500lbs full, before stand and sump… if you aren’t placing it on concrete, the floor itself may need attention! (Not viable in a rental!)

 

[jjrambo124]

ah! Therein lies another issue… a 125g tank is going to weigh around 1,300-1,500lbs full, before stand and sump… if you aren’t placing it on concrete, the floor itself may need attention! (Not viable in a rental!)

Depends on your definition of move :)

People move tanks of this size often, but in your current scenario I'd take my statement back, and I'd just do the smaller upsize. Wait for the house to go bigger.

Yeah that’s the big problem. Though my building is made of concrete and thick plywood (I’m in Florida) I don’t know if I should chance it. Looks like 75 then is my option but don’t know even if it’s worth it cause I REALLY want that 125

 

[jjrambo124]

Ok so here’s my new dilemma. I think the 75 will be perfect. My stocking list rn is
Coral beauty
Springers damsel
Clown
Gramma
Chalk bass
Goby
Banded sheimp
Two crabs
Starfish
….
I would like to add
Melanaurus wrasse
Tailspot blenny
1-2 more chalk basses
Maybe another soringers, but probably not
one spot foxface
Filefish


Will this work?

 

[CKW]

Hey all
So I have a 40B. I have an opportunity to upgrade to 75 or 125.
Problem is I don’t know which. I have one filters rated for 100, plus skimmer and Uv rated for 100 and 200.
My 40b is 3 years old, I know transferring to the 75 will be easier but that 125 is tempting. What do y’all think? I think I just need to buy one more big filter and lots of rock and sand for both, just I don’t know how to transfer to a such a larger tank of 125 while trying to keep my fish alive and transfer nicely during this. PLEASE HELP NEED YALLS ADVICE

I would go for the 125. Another 50 Gal will give you much more room to aqua scape and add more of what you’re in the hobby for.