Upgrade Thoughts

[crabbydan]

Currently have a 105 rimless and think of upgrading.
Found a 125 and 180 both good deals tank and stand only. Can likely use most of my 105 equipment but for the 180 might have to upgrade and pay for a larger sump and skimmer. Putting those facts to the side.

How much more money and work is it to maintain a 180 gallon vs a 120 gallon compared to what I am currently doing with my 105 gallon.

Today I do not does and only have a few softies (Zoas, torch and duncan).

Thoughts?

 

[Reefinny]

Imo I would not go 105 to 125. For the work involved in an upgrade do the 180 if you have the room .

Money is hard to answer not knowing what you have already, but I have upgraded all my equipment over time and when I did my 100 I over built it knowing I would be upgrading.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[crabbydan]

Same here, I have an Omega 1801 skimmer which is rated as follows
BRS Recommended Tank Size:
Lightly Stocked - 180 Gallons
Medium Stocked - 145 Gallons
Heavily Stocked - 100 Gallons
I expected to put another kessil on as i currently have 2 on the 100.

My question is more around monthly maintenance and costs is the monthly work and cost that much more between 125 and 180?

 

[mcgyvr]

It doesn't have to be any more money or work..

But in general look at what size water change you do now and adjust accordingly and see..
Other than that there will probably be a slight increase in electrical costs if you go with a larger return pump..The electricity cost of one more kessil.
Plus cost of extra salt/water and any dosing stuff goes up some..

In general its a one time setup cost and shouldn't be much more in recurring costs.. but lets throw a dart at 20%.. time and cost increase..

 

[Ron Reefman]

I agree with the above opinions. If you are going to do the work to up size, going 105g to 125g isn't worth the effort unless there are other factors (like a badly scratched glass or a chipped corner).

After 12 years in the hobby I'm going the other way. I downsized from a 180g to a 125g and the cost of maintaining it and the amount of work required doesn't seem to be any less to me. BTW, I went new because my old tank sprang an unfixable leak and I went smaller because I like the 20" tall and rimless over the 24" tall with a rim. I also like the modern white cabinet vs my DIY cabinet.

 

[scooter31707]

I agree also with the ^^^ comments. Also with the fish you have now in the 105, would probably be considered light/medium stock in the 180. So your skimmer will probably do the job for awhile until you save up for a bigger skimmer. With me I am running a 150 phosban reactor with GFO on my 240 system now. I keep my phosphates at 0.10. IMO, I think the 180 will be the way to go.