Large tank to a nano

[E.intheC]

Has anyone gone from a larger tank to a nano and regretted the decision? I have had a nano sized tank for a good portion of my reefin journey, but I've had a 90 gallon up and running since March of 2011.
I'm strongly considering a downgrade to a Solana for a variety of reasons.

 

[horwitzs]

I started with a 95 gallon tank that was running for about a year and a half, but I have to move frequently for work so it ended up being emptied and now I have small tanks.
The larger one was a bit easier as far as controlling water params, and I liked having a larger selection of livestock to choose from, but I do enjoy the smaller tanks much more than I thought I would.
It's a lot easier to manage water changes and equipment. No more brute cans, and I just buy distilled water since I don't need massive amounts of RO/DI.
And instead of one big reef tank you can have smaller specialized tanks, such as a mantis or whatever.
Once I'm more settled I will get another big tank, but loving the nanos for now.

 

[flipsideleo]

I had a few larger tanks and I do miss them (dearly). There's no real estate for the bigger fish that I like... However, the 30g shallow reef that I have now can/will tie me over until I decide what's next. I'll still run this (or another) shallow reef, though.

 

[nemesis7]

I went from a 29 to a 75 to a 12 to a 7.5. They all have their benefits and draw backs . But to be honest I loved them all and miss them as well. For now my 7.5 nano is all I need .But I still want a 180 or 220 one day.LOL

 

[E.intheC]

Thanks for the insight everyone. It's funny: I don't really have any fish in my 90 that wouldn't work in a 30 gallon. Most fish that I like that are too big for a 30 gallon are much too big for a 90 as well (large angels, tangs, etc)
I know I'll miss the better stability and real estate. I'm also going to miss my I-tech skimmer. :lol:

 

[jg210302]

I have gone all different directions... I now want to go from the smallest tank (8Gal) I have ever had to a much larger tank if I can find a deal... I really liked my 40 gallon but now I think i want to find something around 120?

 

[E.intheC]

I'm going to bump this thread. A few months after I posted this thread, I ended up buying an Elos Mini. I really liked that tank, but with the pair of saddleback clowns and the coral colonies, it got very small very quickly. So, I ended up buying a 60 cube, and have that running for a few months. The 60 cube offers more stability, open space, looks nice, and allows me to stock a few more fish.

Recently, though I've been looking at the AIO systems in the 30-35 gallon range.

 

[Killer Tangs]

I just went from a 240 (300 gal total system volume) to a 12 gal Fluval Edge. One thing I know I won't miss is the extra 100 bucks or so a month on my electric bill.

 

[SnowboardKid26]

I just got done with a 25 gallon cube build. LOVE the tank but I've already commissioned a 36x36x18 to move all of this into. I'm going to run the 25g cube still, with seahorses, but more real estate is definitely what I want.

 

[geldof]

I think it really depends on what works for you at the time. Big tanks are awesome and allow for lots of fish. Little tanks are great too, you end up appreciating the details and the challenges can be a lot of fun. It's so much easier to have a small aquarium housing SPS or NPS these days. I've always loved nanos anyway, but was forced to switch from a SPS dominated 75 to a 7.5, due to issues with our apartments electrical. I have not regretted it and love that I can pick the whole thing up and throw it in a van, if we need to move, not to mention quick water changes and way less money to maintain. With that said, I someday hope to have something much larger, but will always maintain a nano.