Upgrading from 14 gallon biocube

[gyakuzuki]

Hi - I am new to saltwater reef keeping and have been working on my 14 gallon biocube for about 15 months now and aside from some encroaching aiptasia and green hair algae, my corals are finally starting to grow and our two clowns are getting bigger. We have a GBT anemone that is fun to watch along with a few other creatures. So, the family is taking more of an interest and yesterday my wife suggested we get a bigger tank to support bigger fish. I was wondering what the folks here would recommend buying (I'm probably more of a buyer than a builder of these things ... I see some people on here building the aquarium and the stand ... that's probably not in my time budget) with a $ budget of around $1,000. We'd probably like some bigger fish and more color in the tank but really I am so new to this I'm not sure where to go next ...

Thanks!

 

[morpheas]

Well $1000 is a lot of money but believe it or not they won't take you to a big league with this hobby especially if you don't want to diy. If you use Craigslist you can get tank and stand for cheap but the expensive stuff come afterwards. So, with that budget I would go for one of the most popular tanks in the hobby, the 40 breeder. It will be big enough for you guys to enjoy but small enough to be manageable with your budget. Also, I would go for a lot of jebao products ;) A nice 20 long sump on the bottom. If you feel comfortable enough for drilling cool if not an overflow box.

Are you planning on transferring everything to the new tank or keeping both? What all do you have now?

Edit: I have a 30 gallon for the same reason, my budget ain't big enough for a 90 :)

 

[jsker]

I agree with @morpheas craigslist is a good option, or find a local reef club in your area. Just a word though, in this hobby we always tend to go over budget:)

 

[cjd]

Bigger tank to support bigger fish..... $1,000 budget . The tank and stand alone will eat that up. Plan out what fish you want to keep , make sure you can keep them together. Look online for the recommended tank size for the types of fish you want, compatibility issues and go from there. I know we all want to buy everything at once , but in reality not everyone can do that. I've been working on a 75 gallon build since January and I just put water in it last week to start the cycle. I still need to purchase water circulation and a protein skimmer for the main pieces of equipment . and then comes the I need this and that items . I like to buy once with good name brand equipment because often enough when corners are cut you end up buying twice. My suggestion is take your time , if it takes months to build it at least you'll be happy in the end instead of wishing you got something different.

 

[gyakuzuki]

Well $1000 is a lot of money but believe it or not they won't take you to a big league with this hobby especially if you don't want to diy. If you use Craigslist you can get tank and stand for cheap but the expensive stuff come afterwards. So, with that budget I would go for one of the most popular tanks in the hobby, the 40 breeder. It will be big enough for you guys to enjoy but small enough to be manageable with your budget. Also, I would go for a lot of jebao products ;) A nice 20 long sump on the bottom. If you feel comfortable enough for drilling cool if not an overflow box.

Are you planning on transferring everything to the new tank or keeping both? What all do you have now?

Edit: I have a 30 gallon for the same reason, my budget ain't big enough for a 90 :)

thanks!

I may keep my 14 gallon biocube running separately and start over with new rock. Was thinking I can move most of the animals but am currently dealing with aiptasia and would like to start "clean".

How big of a difference does better lighting make in a tank? I have the "stock" lights in my biocube and wondering if it's worth improving these as well to get better results with my corals.

 

[gyakuzuki]

I agree with @morpheas craigslist is a good option, or find a local reef club in your area. Just a word though, in this hobby we always tend to go over budget:)

how does one find a reef club in my area (NorCal)?

 

[jsker]

You can go here and post on these threads https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/california.524/ , Or try a shout out in the main forums and title it for example Looking Northern California reef clubs the xxxxxx vicinity of red wood forest:) or Hey Norther California reefers looking for clubs. There is a bunch of guys on there from Cali, @saltyfilmfolks is one member that may be able to help you.

 

[morpheas]

thanks!

I may keep my 14 gallon biocube running separately and start over with new rock. Was thinking I can move most of the animals but am currently dealing with aiptasia and would like to start "clean".

How big of a difference does better lighting make in a tank? I have the "stock" lights in my biocube and wondering if it's worth improving these as well to get better results with my corals.

Well keeping the old tank will add to your overhead but it will be nice to have both :)

Light for corals (except the NPS) is the #1 thing, that's their food so it does make a difference. I am not sure what the stock light is but since the tank was designed for marine aquariums I am guessing it's at least ok for softies/lps. If you're dead set on getting a new tank I would not divert funds from your new tank to upgrade the lights now. I would move on and then revisit the light on the 14 once I'm done setting up the other one.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Oh google how I love hate you.
https://www.google.com/webhp?source...pv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=reef+club+northern+california

I look at tanks as getting a new pet. Big wet puppy. Its is also furniture and you want it to be nice. Look at the room, is it ok for two dogs? what size dogs?
Only one dog? how big? 36" x 24 would look great right there?
OK. how much can I spend? whats my skill level to build it? All in ones are great but have down falls, sumped tanks are great but have thier down falls and learning curves.

All that aside, I would focus on the family Ideal of the pet you want and got that direction. For us it was the Mandarin dragonette. Once we learned what it needed, we chose the rest of system and the tank mates from there.
and consider the family dynamic of how much time do you have and want to devote to this new pet.
"mixed reef" is IMO not a good idea. You probably cant have a pipe fish mandarin and SPS an 6 wrasses and a tang in one tank with leathers. unless it's 300 gallons and youve been doing it a while.

Keep an eye on craigslist for a deal. Red sea are amazing all in ones, I missed a 30g for $100(its a 1500 tank), JBJ Meh. Full systems can be had for a deal. and look into the local reefers. ask the lfs.
Fortunately for us its a great time in reefing. Just the lights alone in the last five years have dropped in price and increased in quality.

If you lived here down south, youd get a setup that would make people east of vegas cry for that budget.