two smaller tanks or one larger tank

[darksideofthereef]

Hello everyone I'm going to be moving my tank so I'm going to take this time to do a reset. I currently have a red sea e170 and a water box 65.4 that I was going to replace my tank with. But I'm wondering what's the pros and cons of having the two smaller tanks vs setting something one tank 100 gallons or larger? Any tips, tricks comments, suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

2 aquascape and livestock ideas vs 1. I have 4 nano tanks and each one is very different.

If you just want a reef tank with fish then might as well get one big one. If you have 2 different things you want to try then get 2 smaller ones.

 

[Sean Clark]

One larger tank will probaly be cheaper than two smaller tanks. The smaller tanks will be easier to fill out with less coral.

 

[BryanM]

really depends. I struggle with the idea of SPS and LPS in the same tank as flow requirements for SPS are greater.

But I struggle with the idea of maintaining 2+ tanks too.

My vote was for one, and for that I have a 6 footer now.... but if I really wanted SPS and a mixed reef, I would do two tanks.... and I'm starting to contemplate a small(ish) sps only tank.

 

[darksideofthereef]

really depends. I struggle with the idea of SPS and LPS in the same tank as flow requirements for SPS are greater.

But I struggle with the idea of maintaining 2+ tanks too.

My vote was for one, and for that I have a 6 footer now.... but if I really wanted SPS and a mixed reef, I would do two tanks.... and I'm starting to contemplate a small(ish) sps only tank.

That's pretty much my dilemma I have the two smaller tanks but idk if I'll regret the downsize and want to go bigger lol. But also one was going to be sps and the other softies and lps if I do. And even with it being smaller it would still be twice the effort for it being two tanks

 

[darksideofthereef]

One larger tank will probaly be cheaper than two smaller tanks. The smaller tanks will be easier to fill out with less coral.

I already have the smaller tanks so definitely cheaper for me that way

 

[darksideofthereef]

2 aquascape and livestock ideas vs 1. I have 4 nano tanks and each one is very different.

If you just want a reef tank with fish then might as well get one big one. If you have 2 different things you want to try then get 2 smaller ones.

How is the maintenance and testing for multiple tanks like that?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

How is the maintenance and testing for multiple tanks like that?

Easier than you would think.

My main tank is a 40 breeder with lps/sps, I only test alk regularly and trust AFR takes care of everything else, and 5 gallons weekly change

My 32 gallon seahorse tank is over filtered and gets 10-15 gallons weekly water change and no testing. The tank has a giant green sinularia and a mangrove tree than both do well.

My 15 gallon softie tank gets not testing and 5 gallons weekly change. I use coral pro salt on this tank which keeps everything in check.

My 10 gallon macro algae tank gets no testing and weekly 5 gallon water changes.

I've gotten my water changes down to 10-15 minutes each, so its just a matter of preparing the water in advance. All tanks are several years old.

 

[Submerge]

I like the bigger fish like tangs too much to not plan for a bigger tank.

That said I say both!

 

[MoshJosh]

I like having two tanks because it allows me to keep inhabitants that would not cohabitate in a single tank. specifically I have two pairs of clowns instead of one, and I can keep my acros in one tank and my anemones (who will walk around and sting my acros) in the other.

That said bigger tanks allow for larger inhabitants, so if uou are looking at specific fish that is something to consider.