Save up for a bigger tank?

[Mikeman]

I've been struggling with the decision if i should save up for a bigger tank since my folks said i can, or since now that my 35g is open should i just turn that into the sps tank i want.

If I go with the 35g it'll be so much cheaper, i know I'll have the hassle of water quality but with only a pair of clowns, and a refugium, it shouldn't be to hard. It would also cost the parents less on the electric bill with just 1 halide going.

but....if I go with the bigger tank(anywhere from 90g to 180g) it would be less of a hassle to run, and i could have more livestock, however it would be probli a year before i could get the tank up and running.

Also I'm going to college in 4 years so i have to keep in mind than i should start saving for that.


so....what should i do?

[Elmo18]

mikeman,

Hmm i'm in college now ONLY TWO more years left!! Well then graduate school....ugh. For me college is more important, but i love this hobby so I stick with it. My advice would be that if you want a tank in college, make sure you are in a "permanent" location so you don't ahve to do a tank move. If you have a large tank now, can you really take it with you to college? Hmm... NO. Then again maybe your folks will like it at their place If you want to keep the tank and take it to college, I'd say get no bigger than 35, even a 25 is good. Right now I keep a 25 gallon Eclipse tank, with a new hood and PC lighting, and I also have a 75 gallon tank. Luckily, I'm in a house with two roommates and they don't mine the large tank in the living room. If you'll be in dorms, i dont think you can keep tanks in there.

Larger is always usually better, as far as tanks go. You could get maybe an 80 or 90 and then just transfer everythign from the 35 over and just have one tank. Save the 35 for college. That way, your folks the 90 can stay at your folks, then you can start a new one later.

JME,

Elmo

[scubadude]

You do both!

hehe...Seriously though....keep the small tank and use it as a Refugium/sump whatever....If it will take a year to do this then you have alot of work to do in 1 year just to plan it.....there is so much research you have to do....Make it the "Ultimate System" this will save you time and money in the long run....not to mention bragging rights you will ascertain Layout a plan....do up a cad drawing....figure flow rates.....spectrums of lights.....heating/cooling issues....species you want to keep, and the ppl that have them for trading. Topoff situations.....etc etc...you get my point.

You know who I think has a kikkin system worked out is DJ88....This boy just has it goin on! At least he has put alot of time and effort into it, and I think he may reap some serious benefits! Maybe he wont...but he darn sure is narrowing down his odds! You can tell this system was very well planned. Heres the thread for it

DJ88's System