From 112 to 250. How much more work?

[ERICinFL]

I currently have a 112gal tank and I was going to buy my buddies 150, since he just upgraded to a 240. Well, I was talking to a friend of mine and her brother-in-law was just given a 250. Unfortunately for him, his wife (my friend's sister) informed him that in no way shape or form, was it staying in their home. Well, I may have the opportunity to acquire this tank, stand and canopy free of charge. So, my question is... how much more work will it be over my 112? Thanks.

 

[clownaround2]

I just upgraded from my 155 to a 240. It's been only a month and so far it is actually the same, other than more top off water and A+B solution. I haven't done a waterchange jet, but after that might have a different few on things. Didn't add more fish so the bioload is not high. The 240 was used and came with everything, but for right now I used my old skimmer and also my lights.
My thought, you should go for it. (Says one reef addict to another) If you don't want to upgrade you can always give it away, too.

 

[ERICinFL]

Oh, if I get it, I'm keeping it. I'll get a second job to take care of it if I have to. :lol: This will pretty much be my dream tank if things work out, but we'll see. I'm not getting my hopes up to much, but if things go my way, I'll be on cloud 9!

 

[FuzzyZipperbaum]

IMHO it would be EASIER not harder... There isn't a whole lot more glass to clean, water changes wouldn't be any different..

However, the tank will be much more stable and that would be the difference for me.

 

[shackscs]

I bumped up to a 215 from a 125 and I see no difference in the maintenance other than the additional evaporation.

I was adding 5 gallons of RO per week and now it is about 5.5 gallons per week.

I am currently using the same 40 gallon sump but I am going to eventually use the 125 for my sump when I get a chance to work on the tank again.

 

[clownaround2]

This is my dream tank, too. Thought the 155 was big...Can't get anything done, because I am starring at the aquarium all time time.

 

[mm949]

i agree its more a passion then a chore....i went from 300 to 1300 and still spend the same amount of time other than having to clean 144sq' of acrylic...

 

[chuck3]

Bigger seems easier

Bigger seems easier

I bumped up from a 105 + a 40 on the same sump to a 220 about six months... and IMOP it's actually MUCH EASIER to run the new system. Big = stable. . . and if you don't increase your bioload too much, (remember, your skimmer doesn't get more powerful on its own if tank size goes up) odds are you've got a lot more room under the tank to stow/stash/hide your equipment. . . and with a larger body of water, bigger/deeper sandbed, possibly a bit more live rock, chemistry gets a lot more bulletproof. Plus if you're in a place where temperature regulation is an issue, it seems to take a lot more time to bring the temp on a larger tank up into the red zone. . . even with more substantial lighting. . . especially if you go with an open top canopy (mine is a modified wooden canopy with an open top, but even at 6'3 I don't see open space over the 'sightline' of the top). . . which is a lot easier to 'hide' on the 220. . . or some sort of pendants.

Chuck

 

[Pacific Reefs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15593144#post15593144 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mm949
i agree its more a passion then a chore....i went from 300 to 1300 and still spend the same amount of time other than having to clean 144sq' of acrylic...

Wow how thick is the acrylic? Do you have a build thread so I don't hijack this one.

Btw grab that bigger tank if you can!!!

 

[ERICinFL]

Unfortunately, my chances of the free tank are getting slimmer. It seems it may go back to the original owner. My friend is working on her sister to try and get it to me, but I think I'm S.O.L. If not, there will be a tank build thread with my name on it in a few months. Here's hoping!

 

[mm949]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15593518#post15593518 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pacific Reefs
Wow how thick is the acrylic? Do you have a build thread so I don't hijack this one.

2" thick sides and 1" top/bottom.....build thread to come:smokin:

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15587931#post15587931 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FuzzyZipperbaum
IMHO it would be EASIER not harder... There isn't a whole lot more glass to clean, water changes wouldn't be any different..

However, the tank will be much more stable and that would be the difference for me.

I found that the larger tank is easier to maintain. I spend more time on a $#%& nano tank than I do the 350G we just set up... Granted, the large tank is more automated with a great controller.

I upgraded from a 180G and except for larger water changes, no more work is involved.

Go for it! You can't beat the price!

LL

 

[clownaround2]

Any luck? Like your comment about the kids college fund, good that we have FLA prepaid...
mm949 your tank is sick. It's huge! What are the dimensionen?

 

[mm949]

216"30"48"=1350gl....its a beast...tips the scale at 15,000lbs...got it used from a furniture shop going out-of-business for $5k

 

[ERICinFL]

No luck yet. My friend told me her sister and sister's husband don't move on things very quickly, but she is keeping me updated.

 

[ERICinFL]

Well, just found out that the tank is going back to the original owner. I'm still buying my buddies 150, so I'll have my six foot tank, I just won't be in the "big *** tank club".

 

[swiseman]

I upgraded at Christmas from a 110 to a 220. There are a few things to think about. Your lighting and filtration have to be upgraded. There is also the trend towards adding more livestock before having the sufficient filtration in the form of live rock and bigger skimmers. I will say this though, the extra room is amazing.

 

[ERICinFL]

Oh, I'll be adding another MH, but I'm going to stick with the current skimmer for a while. I don't plan on adding more fish, just more rock and coral. I'm going with a 55gal sump and a Mag12 on each return (I already have them), until I can afford one external pump. Eventually, I'll upgrade skimmers and I may add a fish or two. I'm just happy to get a six foot tank, even if it is just a 150. I don't have room in my current tank for any more corals.

 

[corwin]

Twice the water change, twice the cleaning...but it really won't take twice the time for other chores like feeding, changing bulbs and so forth. The beauty of the larger tank is it is more stable and easier to automate imo. Have fun.

 

[clownaround2]

You're going to like the 150. 6" is a nice size tank. There is always the next time...