55g to 75g upgrade... worth it?

[Jova]

I currently have a 55 gallon reef tank with live rock and just a few small softies. My girlfriend's aunt has a nice 75 gallon tank that is pre-drilled for a sump with a nice stand that she wants to get rid of. I wouldn't have to pay anything for the tank and the stand, and I have plenty of live rock for the 75. My question is this: would upgrading from my current 55 (which has no sump or refugium) to a 75 gallon with a 30 long as a sump, be worth the time and money for a tank that is only 20 gallons larger? My original plan was to go with a 120. My thoughts are: with a 75, my current lighting, live rock, sand bed and skimmer would still be sufficient, the only expense would be adding a bit more sand and the materials needed to add the sump. So it's going to be a rather inexpensive upgrade, but I'm not sure if it would really be worth the hassel to just add 20 gallons and a sump. My current fish load is rather heavy for a 55, mainly because I have a purple tang. So what do ya'll think? Would this new system be worth the time and money it would take for the upgrade?

 

[Cope]

At first I was gonna say no, but if it's free.....................AND has NEVER been treated with copper!, Then go pick that sucker up!
If nothing else you can sell it as a fresh watter tank and get some $$$ for that 120.

 

[serum153]

I just upgraded and the difference is huge in my opinion. I always hated how narrow my 55 was and now I can't believe how much more room I have. Definitely worth it, especially for free. I had no problem droppin 150 on a 20 gallon upgrade and it does look a lot more than 20 gallons that you are gaining.

 

[BLKTANG]

thats whai i was gonna say,get it clean it good,& the 55 & sell those bad boys to get a 90RR or 120 RR,just keep the 30g sump.

 

[Cope]

I would like to explain my previous statement. I was thinking the cost to buy all the stuff new is not worth the expense, but to up grade to a larger tank is always "worth it." If you were going to buy all the stuff, I would go with a larger tank. Just a little larger than you can afford is my style. Just a little smaller than prudent may be the right choice for others?
Cope

 

[Jova]

Well, one of the main things that's really making me consider the upgrade is that this 75 is pre-drilled for a sump, and my current tank does not have a sump and doesn't have enough room under the tank to add one. With the 75, I could fit a sump underneath. What I'm wondering is: what all does adding a sump entail? How much money am I looking at (other than the cost of the tank) to add a sump? And is having a sump THAT important?

 

[Cope]

About 45 to say.......... 4,000$. Look in the DIY forum on the main page. And yes! I would say not so much a sump but a refugium, has to be one of the best things I ever did to my tank.

(just think of all the cash I spent to buy all those Bio Balls!, I should have spent that money on LR instead.)
My tank looks a 100% better now.
Not to mention the larger watter volume makes everything better.)
Any one want to buy some used bio balls?
Ha HA
(JK)

 

[xtm]

55 to 75 is not too big of an upgrade, but if it's free I say grab it!

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

The main upgrade here is the sump... it opens up a lot more equipment options (especially skimmer).

 

[Bippus]

I think you will really enjoy that little bit of extra depth you'll get with the 75. Not a big upgrade, but for the money well worth it IMO.

 

[discocarp]

That extra 6 inches opens a whole other world of possibilities.

The sump opens up even more options.

If you are definitely going to do the 120, skip the upgrade. Otherwise I'd jump all over it.

 

[tkeracer619]

I would do the upgrade in a heart beat.

Benifits
-Sump
-Volume
-Depth
-Cost
-Lower Bioload
-Chance to clean up detrious
-More things to sell later

Disadvantages
-Gas money
-Moving things around

 

[jubjub]

honestly its not a matter of worth.....do you want it...if yes go for it... i went from a 55g to 75g and honestly i would say yes because of the options avail in a 75g you can start keeping tangs nad your rock wont look so cluttered.

 

[techigirl78]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11944364#post11944364 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cope
About 45 to say.......... 4,000$.

That estimate seems about right. :lol: :lol: :lol:

If you are going to 120 for sure, then go skip the 75. Otherwise, the 75 would be a nice interim upgrade for you.

 

[Shekki]

Take the 75 and use it for a sump for your new 120.