75 -> 300

[spieszak]

I am picking up a 75 rr this weekend (my current tanks are all sumpless) in preparation of getting a 300 gallon (I have store credit for the tank, so its not a "pipe dream getting a 300" but a near future type thing).
Doing the 75 now since I don't have real experience with plumbing and maintaining a "sump-ed" tank, and would like to ensure I'm not "learning" too much on the large tank. (I think eventually I will turn it into a predator tank.)
So, here's the question. I can pretty much equip the 75 with equipment I already have, but what I'm wondering now, since I would assume most of the large reef tank folks have done this type of upgrade at one point, is what if any equipment I might be able to buy now and run on the 75 that would be compatible with the 300? I mean, is there a return pump I could use dialed back that would be capable of running the 300 eventually? Or am I going to be dialing back too much to make that useful? Reactors? Skimmer? Anyone have opinions on what might be transferable?

 

[DJ_drew]

most of the eqipment you would buy for the 75 won't transfer over to the 300 seeing as everything for the 75 would be just over doing it all and not worth the extra cost. i would just use the 75 as a sump for your big tank and set it up slowly. do a ton of research and pick the brains of the people here, theres tons of people who are very good at things relating to large tanks.

biggest thing is take your time and do your research

the only thing you may be able to transfer over would be a light or a pump for your reactors or things like that.

in my experience big tanks are more expensive but far easier to run

i have an 8' 300 gal and i started with a 75 and if i could do it over again i would just get the large tank and wait to set it up until i had all the equipment i needed for it, as you will still spend a chunk of money running the 75

hope that helps.

D

 

[Wmich2008]

^+1 It would be a pain to get the 75 all setup just to upgrade. Why not just go nice and slow and get nice equipment for a 300. Otherwise you will buy equipment for the 75 and sell it for half it's price a short while later.

 

[spieszak]

Yeah, i was kind of figuring there isn't mush that would work... wanted to get some 'expert' opinions though. I'm concerned with having the 300 be the first sumped tank, because thats a massive amount of water for an "oops". Learning on the 75 should help. I've had tanks for quite a few years, and the current ones are doing well. The curve (for now) is the sump and the plumbing.

 

[spieszak]

Oh, and other than a return pump, the 75 is basically fully equipped as i'm transferring from my "un sumped" 75, and plan on using the "un sumped" 75 as a sump... so, i'm really not out much (as far as I can tell) to equip it.

 

[DJ_drew]

I'm not sure i understand what you're so concerned about having the sump underneath the 300?

is it just the plumbing you're not sure on? if thats the case the easiest way to figure that out is get some pics of the tank and let us know what you want to do with/ run on your tank and the plumbing is pretty easy to figure out

 

[spieszak]

It probably seems silly, but not having a sump means i haven't made any of the classic sump mistakes. I can't tell you what they are, because i haven't made them. Oversizing the return pump, undersizing, too much water in the sump, not enough, cleaning overflows, feeding when the food gets sucked down the overflow, fish managing to get in the overflow, not topping off to the top of the tank, cleaning the sump, clogged filter socks... i read well, and absorb most of it, but theres no practical experience in reading. I guess what i'm really saying is that I'd much prefer to make noobie mistakes with the smaller water volume.

 

[DJ_drew]

ok well then the only thing i can suggest is to do it on smaller scale if you really want the "experience" go out and buy yourself a small 20ish gallon tamk and use it as a sump on your 75

in the end, you're better off just going with the big tank but i remember when i was knew at bigger tanks and i was overly cautious as well

for things like worrying about overflowing the sump and what not those questions can be easily answered
just shoot some questions my way if you feel like it and we will see if we can't put your fears at ease!

Drew