One large system or couple smaller different types of systems?

[JohnCol]

If you had the chance to do a fish room. What would you go for?

I have had reef aquariums since the mid 2000s. My largest being a 125, smallest being a 5. Right now I have a 60 gallon system. House constraints usually shape what size tank I have as with most.

Here in the near future I might be able to do a fish room. After some updating and floor bracing and dehumidifier installing.


I have always wanted to do a big aquarium like 150 to 200 gallons. Always kinda been a dream. But it would be really awesome to do a few different type of tanks.

Like now I have a softy tank. But having a couple 100 gallon tanks I could do a sps tank, a softy reef tank and a anemone only display.

Just like to hear from others. Would you go with one large massive system and use your current system as a frag tank.

Or would you split and do smaller and do different types of setups?

 

[reefsaver]

I would start with one system, set it up to be a Mixed Reef and focus on the system and sump, with expansion in mind. Then as you go you can get another tank at any size you like as long as it can be plumbed to the sump.
I personally would go this route because I would drill out the largest low iron freshwater tank I could afford, eventually add a Bean Animal overflow, and that would be the larger, more sentimental system. Making things much cheaper.
You could still use one single return pump to supply water to both tanks with a Y-fitting and some ball valves from the sump. Or two pumps. I planned on doing this one day.

 

[JohnCol]

That's kinda what I have done. I have equipment to spare lol. Extra rock, sand, pumps, gyra pumps, skimmer, lights. After doing measuring and good ole eye balling. It looks like 60x24x24 is my max size while being able to make the corner in the hallway.


I'm kinda leaning towards doing 2 4ft 100 gallon tanks.

 

[REEFRIED!]

I would do one system. One main display. However if I had a fish room, and the space I would definitely add a frag tank, and possibly smaller other mini displays in the fish room. Maybe an anemone tank, maybe a display refugium

 

[GlassMunky]

Pros and Cons to each.

Having all the tanks on a single system will add water volume and stability to the system making it easier to dose and things like that vs having to have dosing pumps or reactors for every system. the downside is that should something happen to that system, now all the tanks are effected. So sometimes having it split into multiple systems can act as a "backup".

But its easy enough to have multiple displays all tied together through plumbing. that way you can taylor the in tank flow to the types of corals in there, keeping it lower flow for the lps/softies while blasting the SPS. one of the hardest parts of a mixed reef is finding that right place in flow and light for everyone, while having seperate displays makes that a non-issue.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I would have one main display tank and a couple of small tanks (a frag tank, maybe a GSP/xenia tank, anemone tank).

 

[JohnCol]

I like yalls ideas cause that's my fillings exactly. 1 large display. A frag tank. Than I could build a rack and do smaller species tanks. This room isn't a massive room it's a bedroom I'm going to convert. It has a closet that has access from in the room and hall way out side of the room. As well as I can utilize the crawlspace. It's not a massive span from floor to ceiling roughly 5ft. Be perfect place for a fuge and from there I can plumb into the drain for water changes. All this is in time. I gotta wait a few months than going to start the room mod. Brace the floor all that good stuff. Would like to maybe add outlets to the room.

 

[danreef55]

Do what will satisfy your every whim
What about a main tank and then tanks for:
Sea horses and gorgonians and sponge.
Gotta have a RED ANGLER
Fuge
Anemone & clowns
Octopus

How much room do you have? I can keep going
All the best no matter which way you go

Happy reefing
Dan

 

[JohnCol]

Sorry I haven't been on in a few days. Been dealing with some parameters on the tank. But the room in question.

Will be a converted bedroom. I measured in once before I think it measures 12x12 12x14 roughly.

The closet I'm hoping to utilize for equipment and some filtration. It is roughly 10 to 12 feet length and about 2 feet deep.

House has a full basement under half the house. This room sits over a crawl space that on the low side is about 3ft in height hight side is 5ft tall. Should make easy plumbing of the rods unit as well as plumbing for auto drain system for water changes.

If I do run into heat issues I could possibly place a fuge in the crawl space to act as a chiller. It stays in the 60s in the crawl space year round.

I think I have all the equipment one would need. I might have to purchase a bigger return pump. But if need be I can utilize 2 pumps. My DC pump is turned down to like 30% power for my 60 gallon system.

Im literally just waiting to start converting the room. Than next step is finding a tank. I do want to do a large system. For the simple face of fish limitations for smaller tanks. My current tank will go in there and be converted to a bubble tip anemone tank. I have 6 right now that will eventually cover my rockwork anyway. So instead of making them made I'll give them there own display. I do have a old biocube 32. I am thinking of setting it up and trying my first attempt at breeding something saltwater. But that is long down the road. I'm trying to stay focused on the room right now ha ha.

 

[Screwgunner]

If you had the chance to do a fish room. What would you go for?

I have had reef aquariums since the mid 2000s. My largest being a 125, smallest being a 5. Right now I have a 60 gallon system. House constraints usually shape what size tank I have as with most.

Here in the near future I might be able to do a fish room. After some updating and floor bracing and dehumidifier installing.


I have always wanted to do a big aquarium like 150 to 200 gallons. Always kinda been a dream. But it would be really awesome to do a few different type of tanks.

Like now I have a softy tank. But having a couple 100 gallon tanks I could do a sps tank, a softy reef tank and a anemone only display.

Just like to hear from others. Would you go with one large massive system and use your current system as a frag tank.

Or would you split and do smaller and do different types of setups?

The stand for a 125 is the same for a 180 this is my goal.

 

[Screwgunner]

One big tank and one smaller for new stuff. Before it goes into the big tank. And do not use any chemicals at all except for trace calcium nitrate phosphate mag. Alkalinity you know . Or change water.