[glider]

I custom ordered a 225 gallon aquarium a while ago, it cost me both arms and a leg but I got the tank I wanted. I bought the tank for freshwater stingrays and an arowana, I researched this for months and months and was sooo excited.
Then we ran into well problems, for a while we were almost dry and would have had to drill a new well (and that ain't cheap). We are fine now but must baby our well more than normal to keep it going, so the huge water changes that would have been required for stingrays would not work. So I have been trying to sell the unused tank, with it's stand (which my blue and gold macaw managed to chew up the top molding of while I was not home one day) for $800. It is really really killing me but all it is doing is taking up A LOT of space (this is a big tank in my book).
I just started looking into saltwater tanks a little while ago and just received a 24 gallon nano cube DX. In the back of my mind I keep telling myself how awesome the 225 would be if it was set up as a reef tank, but then tell myself how unrealistic it would be because of the costs etc. The more I think about, the more I have been looking into it and the more I want it. I am hoping I can sell this tank fast because I really don't want to end up keeping it and working another job to pay for it.

If you were in my position, what would you do? It will ultimately come down to what I feel is best but in the mean time I would like to hear other peoples opinions.
I'm thinking just go with the 24 gallon Nano cube for now, and in the later future I can get a nice big reef tank when I have more experience. But then again, I don't know...

[e_baer]

Honestly it all boils down to how much you are willing to spend. If you want to basically have a reef and keep the cost at a minimum, I would go for something under 30g.

[stephaniesquires]

I wouldn't base your decision on thinking a smaller tank is easier. It is less costly, but in my limited experience with my 240 and a 12 gallon nano, the 240 is easier to keep consistent. Now, the 12 is only a qt with no sand or lr to speak of, but with only 3 chromis it is harder to keep the water temp and parameters consistent.
I can sympathize about the cost of a big tank. I just bought a new 300 gallon to replace the 240 and WOW, this is an expensive hobby. I will be adding new lights, already got the fuge, etc... But I weigh all of that with the enjoyment I get out of the tank. I come home and look at the tank, tinker with tank stuff, read and learn more and it helps get rid of the work day stress (replaced by SW tank stress, but hey tank is more fun to look at!!).
There are many expensive hobbys and habits, the benefit has to outweigh the cost. For me this hobby is worth it...
About selling the tank, you will never get out of it what you paid for it, so if you are thinking about someday setting it up, think twice about selling. Use it for storage!!!!

[Jeremy0322]

Yea, if you think that years from now you will still be in the hobby then it makes sense to keep the tank for the future. If you are like any of us here you will just end up buying the same tank in a few years. The only problem is if you set up the 240 in a year in 2 years you will want a 500 and then a 1000 and then you will go bankrupt...lol.

[glampka]

Problem here is water supply. You'll need RO/DI water for a reef tank & with a limited water supply you're SOOL! Remember that for every gallon of RO/DI water you get there are 3 to 4 gallons of waste water. Go with the smaller tank.

[thelastmucci]

ugh...I can't imagine how often you'd have to replace the RO membrane with well water...my parents neighbor still has it...to me everyone should have FREE sewer hookups...then again I'm not in the government soooo.

[NAS]

Originally Posted by glider

I custom ordered a 225 gallon aquarium a while ago, it cost me both arms and a leg but I got the tank I wanted. I bought the tank for freshwater stingrays and an arowana, I researched this for months and months and was sooo excited.
Then we ran into well problems, for a while we were almost dry and would have had to drill a new well (and that ain't cheap). We are fine now but must baby our well more than normal to keep it going, so the huge water changes that would have been required for stingrays would not work. So I have been trying to sell the unused tank, with it's stand (which my blue and gold macaw managed to chew up the top molding of while I was not home one day) for $800. It is really really killing me but all it is doing is taking up A LOT of space (this is a big tank in my book).
I just started looking into saltwater tanks a little while ago and just received a 24 gallon nano cube DX. In the back of my mind I keep telling myself how awesome the 225 would be if it was set up as a reef tank, but then tell myself how unrealistic it would be because of the costs etc. The more I think about, the more I have been looking into it and the more I want it. I am hoping I can sell this tank fast because I really don't want to end up keeping it and working another job to pay for it.

If you were in my position, what would you do? It will ultimately come down to what I feel is best but in the mean time I would like to hear other peoples opinions.
I'm thinking just go with the 24 gallon Nano cube for now, and in the later future I can get a nice big reef tank when I have more experience. But then again, I don't know...

Run with the 225! If it was your "Dream tank" bite the bullet and do it. As far as the costs go, tie down the "Must Have" stuff like sump(easy and cheap), skimers, heating and Lighiting ect... I did the same thing. I just finaly got my chiller fired up on my dream tank it's been 6 years in the making. Take your time and don't go for the quick results, my experience it that Quick gratification does not work for Salt tanks. Run the Nano to run a nano, not replace the 225. You will regret it in the future.

[aquasalt]

What did you decide?

[Marine1]

Keep the 225!!!! You will regret it later. If money is the issue, but the proper equipment in intervals until you have what you need to get started. You could always make your own sump, buy a skimmer, heater, powerheads, and have a FOWLR until more funds come in for the lighting. Just a suggestion. I would love to have a huge tank like that!!!!!

[dinor2]

I agree with Marine1 on this! Especially if you wouldn't be able to sell it for what you paid for it! Craigslist and ebay can be your best friend in this hobby....

[JackedupSOB]

I would love to have a tank that size don't give it up!

[boombadan]

Bigggerrrr

[Mirkle]

I want to hit the Lotto

[aquasalt]

I think Glider has left us....

[thelastmucci]

I think you may be right.

[glider]

Of course I havn't left you guys lol I've just been busy (yes I know, that is always the excuse).

You all are making this decision very difficult lol I almost made up my mind but I havn't been able to decide now.
There still lies a large problem though, where am I to get so much water (initially and for water changes)? This goes back to the having a dying well problem.

For now I am focusing on my 24g nano cube. After I get my nano good to go, I will make my final decision and go from there.

[stephaniesquires]

You should have plenty of snow - just shovel it into a barrel, add salt and heater!!!!

[glider]

Originally Posted by stephaniesquires

You should have plenty of snow - just shovel it into a barrel, add salt and heater!!!!

Great idea! That means I would get a break from it during the warmer seasons! Gosh you people are smart lol

This year sucked for snow, I want a huge blizzard to come and not be able to leave the house for days.