Anybody regret going too big?

[Rainblood]

I've got a 40gal DT and a 50gal frag tank - both AIO and relatively minimal work. I wouldn't consider it a chore...I still enjoy them both.
Minimal automation, in fact the lights are the only things that are automated. My arm is the ATO and doser. I sometimes drip kalk and dose Sea Elements and/or Acropower.
I hate measuring parameters and water changes aren't too bad. There's nothing scientific about my tanks.

I've contemplated upgrading to a 90/120ish just for more space to showcase things...but would have to figure out sumps, plumbing, dosing, neptune/apex stuff, ato, etc. I'd likely have to set up a water station as well.

For those that have gone bigger...is it worth the stretch?

 

[york1]

I started with a 32g biocube and now have a 90g bowfront, 120g, 25 g lagoon and rs reefer 250. Water changes, filter maintenance, skimmer maintenance and testing all take a good bit of time. I really enjoy it tho. If I had the room I would go even bigger

 

[ActiveAngel]

The only complaints I’ve heard from people, in line with your question, is regrets from going too tall. But I haven’t heard complaints for gallon size or length.

 

[lmm1967]

a year ago we had a 40 breeder, two 120's and a 30 rimless. Today we have two 180s, a 30 rimless & a 50g frag tank.

One of the 180s is dedicated to our toad fish - he's pretty much a dinosaur and I rarely do anything to that tank other than feed him.

I wouldn't be OK if I didn't have as much automation as I do. My 180's plus frag tank are going through over 5 gallons of top off a day.

The 30 gallon is running with just auto water changes and an ATO so it's pretty simple. No real testing and no water changes other than emptying the waste and making sure the fresh SW is not empty.

I'm very happy with our current tanks and won't go any larger.

If you convince yourself a 120 is in your future - I have 2 with stands I'll be getting rid of soon - along with a 40b sump and I could probably drum up a Jebao return pump.

 

[Tanster2]

a year ago we had a 40 breeder, two 120's and a 30 rimless. Today we have two 180s, a 30 rimless & a 50g frag tank.

One of the 180s is dedicated to our toad fish - he's pretty much a dinosaur and I rarely do anything to that tank other than feed him.

I wouldn't be OK if I didn't have as much automation as I do. My 180's plus frag tank are going through over 5 gallons of top off a day.

The 30 gallon is running with just auto water changes and an ATO so it's pretty simple. No real testing and no water changes other than emptying the waste and making sure the fresh SW is not empty.

I'm very happy with our current tanks and won't go any larger.

If you convince yourself a 120 is in your future - I have 2 with stands I'll be getting rid of soon - along with a 40b sump and I could probably drum up a Jebao return pump.

I've heard a lot of about your toadfish, have you posted a picture of it on here?

 

[mphammer]

I am mostly happy with going bigger. I went from 90 to 210, and on 80% of the days I think I'd say "no regrets" confidently lol
Having an adequate water mixing station is a space hog. And dealing with the humidity/temperature has cost me a decent bit in the way of additional air conditioning.
But I love the large display and it feels worth the extra effort when everything is looking great.

P.S. - Do It

 

[iu_gary]

I’ve had a 55, a 125, a 190, a 600 and two 300s. (Only one of the tanks at a time) The only regret I have is that I don’t have the room for the 600 display with the 1000 gallon growout in this house. I have a 300 currently and love to look at pics of @Dimitris 1000 gallon. Maybe in the next house. Go big or go home

 

[Luap_Jr]

I’m more of a nano guy lol but I do want to get a tank in the 100 range on day


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[sharis100]

Is it bad I have daydreams about a coral river flowing through the house? Bigger as long as you have the space and can afford it is definitely the way to go

 

[scottw]

The bigger you go the less work involved. Easier to control swings and dial it in.

 

[lmm1967]

I've heard a lot of about your toadfish, have you posted a picture of it on here?

 

[hzheng33]

Personally, I think anything over 6’ I will pass. The proportion of equipment just escalates at that point.

 

[morganatlanta]

I talked with George at Pure Reef about "how big" before I settled on a 5 foot 120. I probably had space to go up to 600 gallons. He said that he sees a lot more long term success with the smaller tanks than the really big tanks because they are still manageable for one person in the amount of time (and space and money) people want to devote to it. Your personal mileage will vary, but in my opinion a 120 gives you a good amount of space for corals and fish while still giving a manageable size for an auto-water change set up, reasonable costs for salt and dosing, and the ability to buy equipment off the shelf from a variety of brands. Sure, there are compromises on the fish you can have and on the "wow" factor that a huge tank might give, but I don't want to be a slave to system maintenance where every job becomes an all day ordeal.

 

[Adam]

I have a regret. I have a big empty aquarium!

I will say I wouldn't recommend for someone to go really big until they've had a big standard size tank for a while, a 180 to 220. If it doesn't work out it will be much easier to move out. There's a big commitment and cost associated with a very large tank and you need to be sure you're ready for both.