Lunchbox514
New member
Long story short I previously had a nice 20 gal mixed tank a couple of years ago. However due to moving a few times I decided to take the tank down rather than dealing with the headache of moving the system with each move. I am looking at getting back into the hobby since my family and I have settled on a more permanent home situation. I am looking at 3 different options that come with their own pros and cons that I would like help with making the decision as far as which path to go. Thanks in advance for the help
Option 1) Stick with similar 20 gal set-up: I still have my stand as well as a few other components from my previous tank including, Orbit Marine LED 24", Aquatop PF25-UV HOB filter. 2 Aquatop power heads rated for the nano size tank, heater so nano size tank. Not having to start fresh entirely seems very enticing. However I wasn't fully happy having run this size before with limited tank space. If I did this option I would like to run a 10 gal sump/refugium inside the tank stand as well as get a skimmer which I didn't have on my previous setup. I did get rid of my tank so would need to buy a new tank. I've seen 30 gal extra high tanks that would fit this stand with a similar footprint of a standard 20 gal. However this does create a very unusual tank dimensions (24x24x12)
Option 2) Start fresh with a 40 gal breeder. I like this size cause cost-wise this fits budget better that option 3 as well as gets me a bigger tank than option 1. I would start with a tank with built in overflow and do a sump set up in this situation as well. Some of the components that I currently have could be reused in this (power heads, heater, LED would fit but be very underpowered) set up thus keeping some of the cost down.
Option 3) Start fresh with a 75 Gal. Petsmart currently has their Marineland 75 Gallon Aquarium Majesty Ensemble (tank and stand) on sale for $300. I feel that this size would be future proofing me from wanting to upgrade to a bigger tank like the 20 and possibly 40 gal options would. However with the size of this the cost of equipment goes way up and would have to slowly add the pieces necessary to properly run this tank. However this tank doesn't have a built in overflow so i would have to learn how since I wouldn't be able to drag this tank with me to someone that has the tools and knowledge to do so. However with the slow process of having to add equipment this option would take the longest for me to get up and running possibly 3-4 months. where the other 2 options I can start almost immediately.
I know this is a long post so I apreciate those that have stuck with me to this point. Again any advice and input is much appreciated.
Option 1) Stick with similar 20 gal set-up: I still have my stand as well as a few other components from my previous tank including, Orbit Marine LED 24", Aquatop PF25-UV HOB filter. 2 Aquatop power heads rated for the nano size tank, heater so nano size tank. Not having to start fresh entirely seems very enticing. However I wasn't fully happy having run this size before with limited tank space. If I did this option I would like to run a 10 gal sump/refugium inside the tank stand as well as get a skimmer which I didn't have on my previous setup. I did get rid of my tank so would need to buy a new tank. I've seen 30 gal extra high tanks that would fit this stand with a similar footprint of a standard 20 gal. However this does create a very unusual tank dimensions (24x24x12)
Option 2) Start fresh with a 40 gal breeder. I like this size cause cost-wise this fits budget better that option 3 as well as gets me a bigger tank than option 1. I would start with a tank with built in overflow and do a sump set up in this situation as well. Some of the components that I currently have could be reused in this (power heads, heater, LED would fit but be very underpowered) set up thus keeping some of the cost down.
Option 3) Start fresh with a 75 Gal. Petsmart currently has their Marineland 75 Gallon Aquarium Majesty Ensemble (tank and stand) on sale for $300. I feel that this size would be future proofing me from wanting to upgrade to a bigger tank like the 20 and possibly 40 gal options would. However with the size of this the cost of equipment goes way up and would have to slowly add the pieces necessary to properly run this tank. However this tank doesn't have a built in overflow so i would have to learn how since I wouldn't be able to drag this tank with me to someone that has the tools and knowledge to do so. However with the slow process of having to add equipment this option would take the longest for me to get up and running possibly 3-4 months. where the other 2 options I can start almost immediately.
I know this is a long post so I apreciate those that have stuck with me to this point. Again any advice and input is much appreciated.
