Would you tear down or keep it going just in case?

[rmorris_14]

So I have this 10 Gallon tank I set up as "Hospital tank" when I thought something might be wrong with one of my clownfish. Nothing ended up being wrong with him (Phew) but now I have this tank just hanging out. It's been up for about a month now? ( I cant remember it kind of a blur). ANYWAYS, I have no use for it currently but I have been ghost feeding the bacteria a couple times a week after starting it up with Bio Spira. There is definitely life happening in the tank as I can see the little things crawling around. Currently, I have no use for it. I don't plan on adding any fish any time soon and I already have a ANOTHER tank that I am running as an invert and coral QT.
The "hospital tank" doesn't require much maintenance but my husband keeps asking me how long I plan on leaving it on front family room end table lol.

Option 1- tear it down and just start all over if the day comes when it is needed? ***At the same time, admitting that I spent all that money for nothing. Which I will be reminded every time I see a broken down tank in storage.
Option 2- Keep it up. Just in case the day ever arises when I need to use it and will already have a pretty good established bacteria load. ***Showing my husband that I was right in the long run, we just didn't know it at the time.
Option 3- Option 2 PLUS Cycling some rock while we wait if they need ever arrises. I've got some life rock I plan on using at some point in the future (no idea when exactly) to attempt to re-aquascape my DT and use for frags ect. I was thinking about throwing some of that in the tank just get it cycling as well.

Hit me with your wisdom!

Thanks!

 

[Dan_P]

So I have this 10 Gallon tank I set up as "Hospital tank" when I thought something might be wrong with one of my clownfish. Nothing ended up being wrong with him (Phew) but now I have this tank just hanging out. It's been up for about a month now? ( I cant remember it kind of a blur). ANYWAYS, I have no use for it currently but I have been ghost feeding the bacteria a couple times a week after starting it up with Bio Spira. There is definitely life happening in the tank as I can see the little things crawling around. Currently, I have no use for it. I don't plan on adding any fish any time soon and I already have a ANOTHER tank that I am running as an invert and coral QT.
The "hospital tank" doesn't require much maintenance but my husband keeps asking me how long I plan on leaving it on front family room end table lol.

Option 1- tear it down and just start all over if the day comes when it is needed? ***At the same time, admitting that I spent all that money for nothing. Which I will be reminded every time I see a broken down tank in storage.
Option 2- Keep it up. Just in case the day ever arises when I need to use it and will already have a pretty good established bacteria load. ***Showing my husband that I was right in the long run, we just didn't know it at the time.
Option 3- Option 2 PLUS Cycling some rock while we wait if they need ever arrises. I've got some life rock I plan on using at some point in the future (no idea when exactly) to attempt to re-aquascape my DT and use for frags ect. I was thinking about throwing some of that in the tank just get it cycling as well.

Hit me with your wisdom!

Thanks!

Nothing wrong with option 1. With bacteria in a bottle these days, an aquarium can be up and running in a day. I am not sure that the responsible aquarists needs a spare aquarium hanging around. Could you use it for a quarantine tank for new arrivals?

Having spare parts is not a bad investment. Even if the hospital tank has served it purpose, you never know what the future holds for aquarist. Tear it down but save everything.

I have a 40 gallon breeder tank under the basement steps collecting dust, but you never know whenit might come in handy

 

[T-J]

Did you ever add any treatments (such as copper) to the tank?
If not, just keep it up and running. You can throw your rock in there to get it cycled/live. Maybe use it as a pod farm.

 

[Sean Clark]

I think showing your husband that you were right adds a lot of weight to this decision. This sounds like a no-brainer.

 

[rmorris_14]

Nothing wrong with option 1. With bacteria in a bottle these days, an aquarium can be up and running in a day. I am not sure that the responsible aquarists needs a spare aquarium hanging around. Could you use it for a quarantine tank for new arrivals?

Having spare parts is not a bad investment. Even if the hospital tank has served it purpose, you never know what the future holds for aquarist. Tear it down but save everything.

I have a 40 gallon breeder tank under the basement steps collecting dust, but you never know whenit might come in handy

All very true

Did you ever add any treatments (such as copper) to the tank?
If not, just keep it up and running. You can throw your rock in there to get it cycled/live. Maybe use it as a pod farm.

no treatments. nothing has touched the water the bacteria and feedings...pod farm could be cool!

I think showing your husband that you were right adds a lot of weight to this decision. This sounds like a no-brainer.

THIS is what I am talking about HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

[Shon]

Throw a molly in there and call him Doc. Tell your husband that the doc is ready to see him whenever he asks about the tank.

 

[rmorris_14]

Throw a molly in there and call him Doc. Tell your husband that the doc is ready to see him whenever he asks about the tank.

I love this answer! I have thought about a Molly. Downside... it's is another thing that I will need to worry about being fed while we are on vacation. I haven't even started my tabbed binder with color illustrations with detailed step by step guidelines for the the fish sitter (our friend) yet. HAHAHA he might not be our friend after.

 

[JumboShrimp]

10 gallon tank… about 8 gallons of water… too easy to set it up quickly again if needed. Shut it down. Lol.

 

[edd59]

shut it down and keep some filter media in a sock in your sump, you can set it up when needed and filter is ready to go.

 

[rmorris_14]

10 gallon tank… about 8 gallons of water… too easy to set it up quickly again if needed. Shut it down. Lol.

Ok so wait, hold the phone. This is a dumb but serious question, a ten gallon tank only holds 8 gallons?

 

[JumboShrimp]

… guesstimate, assuming you are not filling it to the tiptop (who does?), and displacement from some rock or PVC pipes for fish to hide, displacement from a heater and filter, etc. (Sand?)

 

[edd59]

and thickness of glass. tanks are measured and calculated from outside dimentions. lxwxh divided by 231 is gallons not inside gallons

 

[rmorris_14]

… guesstimate, assuming you are not filling it to the tiptop (who does?), and displacement from some rock or PVC pipes for fish to hide, displacement from a heater and filter, etc. (Sand?)

Literally me lol

 

[JumboShrimp]

@reefmountain is correct— I meant to add that, because it is relevant all by itself.

 

[Weasel1960]

Option 4. Combine options 2 and 3 add a couple corals, inverts, or fish and have a picco Tank.

 

[ColoredRock]

Having spare parts is not a bad investment.

This.. Backup pumps Backup water.. heaters... last night spared my tank.. from my bone head move .. things fail at the worst time.

 

[rmorris_14]

Option 4. Combine options 2 and 3 add a couple corals, inverts, or fish and have a picco Tank.

Lol don’t think the thought hasn’t crossed my mind!!!! Started out buying one tank for my son in November and now I have three tanks.. there is a limit to how many tanks should be added in your first 6 months back into the hobby right!?!? My husband keeps “joking” and asking me which room I’m going to add a tank to next.
I do like the idea of having it ready whether I have to set it up again or just leave as a hospital tank in case one of my current little buddies needs attention. If I went pico I’d love to try a like a 2 gallon

 

[blaxsun]

I went with option #1 when I upgraded. Just less work involved in keeping it running.