POLL: To Upgrade? or not?

[cpreefguy]

Well, I am currently running a 40 breeder 36"x18"x17". It was great, until I ran out of room, and there are still so many corals I want!!! :lol

So here is my quandry:
I can keep my tank and just lay off the coral, or I am looking into buying a tank with the same footprint, only about 8" taller. An Oceanic 70g 36"x18"x25"
tank looks like this:
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=12972

What do you guys think???

[Ross]

i really dont think height would be the best way to expand as far as fitting more corals but im sure there would be somewhat better. I think a standard 75g would give you more room...

[caferacermike]

I think 18" deep is about the perfect depth for small tanks. I don't think I'd go another 8" deep for several reasons. First reason is that the best tanks have ample surface area. By increasing the height you do nothing for the surface area. You will be trapping gases lower in your tank. You will have a harder time keeping the water saturated in O2. The water can get warmer and be much more difficult to cool back down as it will not have the surface area to expose the water to cooling evaporation. Gas exchange is usually the biggest concern with tall tanks. I'd also be worried about light penetration in such a tall tank. I'd think you'd need a seriously large MH to reach deep in the tank and a large bulb would heat a small volume quickly.

Just notes from what I've read over the years, I am no means a voice of authority on the subject.

[hobogato]

take it from me, no matter how big a tank you get, you will always find yourself in this quandry at some point ;) i think that 70 gal with 2 @ 250 watt lights would look nice, but as others have pointed out, might give you some heat issues without a chiller.

[cpreefguy]

wouldnt I have less heat issues with 30 more gals of water?
I have to decide soon. Im moving my tank up to school in the next week, and would want to transfer everything then...
The other factor is the price... The tank is about $300...

[caferacermike]

I really like my open top 75g. I have 500w with 300 of them Mh and have no heat issues. It's a much larger footprint but I think it's great for a small reef with plenty of grow out room.

[cpreefguy]

I would like to go longer/deeper, but this is going in my apt bedroom and I just dont have the room...

[hobogato]

i think the added water volume without added surface area could make heat issues worse.

[carlinsa]

if you are running out of room now why would you go with the same footprint. i would go bigger footprint and keep the same hieght.

i mean yeah you can build rock up but that is the same way your corals grow. i would say dont waste the money and if you want to upgrade just go wider not taller.

my 2 cents

[cpreefguy]

Well, I cant go bigger footprint because of room constraints.
Im not having heat issues either :lol

Plus, I like the look of this tank:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/totm/index.php

I probably wont upgrade, I dont know if I can justify $300 for 8" of height...

[NaCl_H2O]

Come on Sean, 40g, 70g - it is still a nano ;) Get a real tank :lol

[cpreefguy]

hey, Im sorry if 70g is how many gallons your skimmer holds, but for now Im gonna have to stick with my nano!

Im just gonna go for it, Ive only got this one chance to upgrade while moving, and I think Ill regret it if I dont. AN, Louis is giving me a killer deal.

Plus, Oceanic just sold-out to AGA so this will be the last of their "Quality" tanks

[cpreefguy]

^^^ justifications :lol

[loans_n_fishes]

Personally, I don't think it is worth your money to upgrade for a few inches taller. I would wait until you have space for a larger footprint tank and possibly frag some of what you have now to make room for some others in your present tank?? I'm not sure that you would actually have a lot more room for corals by adding such a small amount of height. It may not give you all the extra room you want, but if you like the tank design that much better than what you have now, you could make a case for getting it.

[cpreefguy]

good points.
Im still debating.
Pros:
I like the shape of the 70g
A few inches taller
more water volume
More room for my corals
I can get cooler fishes
More suited for 2x250w than my 40 (i think)
I can finally properly aim my Tunze w/o causing a sand storm

Cons:
Expensive
I think the overflow may be an obstacle in the tank...
possible heat issues???

A few more pics taken from MARSH
http://marsh.webreefs.com/images/2945.jpg
http://marsh.webreefs.com/images/2954.jpg

[cpreefguy]

I think I might just get bored with my tanks. A rundown of all of the tanks Ive had:
29g
7g
15g
10g
(2) 2.5g
58g
12g
40g

[hammondegge]

I would wait for wider and longer. maybe concentrate on perfecting what you have. you can get all Zen with it.

[Jeff]

i think you should stay with what you have and frag out anything to big and save your money for when you have a space for a tank with a larger foot print.

[TexasTodd]

I'd stay with the 40 until you can work something else out space wise.

Todd

[matt]

It's a nice looking tank, and if you consider it EXACTLY the same stocking as your 40 breeder but with more swimming room for your fish, I'll bet you'll be very happy with it. If you think of it as a way to get more stuff in the tank as opposed to just giving your suff a little more room and stability I bet you won't be happy. And no way are you actually going from 40 gallons to 70.

As far as heat goes, I don't think there will be much difference; the taller tank probably can handle a little more heat from the lights but not much.

What would be a better upgrade IMO, and I know you've said repeatedly you don't have more room, but I'll ignore that like everybody else, (haha) would be a 120, because it's very similar to your 40 breeder, just more room all around. You could put your stuff right in the middle and let it grow.

[cpreefguy]

Im not looking to load it with more corals, but rather to give my current stuff room to grow. Plus I want a small regal angel, and the 70g would allow me to get one :)

[BIGBIRD123]

Sean,
I have a 75g Oceanic.

Steve

[cpreefguy]

Hey Steve, I think I may have missed a few of your calls...
I would like a 75g, but the only place where my tank can go is like 37", just barely big enough for my 36" tank...

[BIGBIRD123]

Sean,
Give me a call on my cell...I'm working out of town.

254-4578-4791

Steve

[jroescher]

Where are your priorities!!! Get a bigger apartment!

[dark8nge1]

Actually i have the exact same tank. 70 gal oceanic with a center overflow. I also run a sunlight supply maristar with 2 250w MH and 2 39w atinics. I personally have no problems with heat at all. My tank stay in the 79 - 81 range all day with only a small fan running on the surface. I do have a 1/10 chiller but that is more for precautionary measure more than anything else. Personally i light my setup and dont think its too deep. I've actually accidentally bleached a coral or two because I had too much light and I moved them up to quickly.

[cpreefguy]

yeah, im just gonna order the tank
you only live once...

[cpreefguy]

Hey Ben, do you have any pics of your tank? Id like to see your aquascaping...