Question: Cost aside, is a smaller reef tank easier to care for than a larger tank?

[deepRED]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

Wrong.

A larger tank is "easier" is to keep stable. It won't be stable automatically. Smaller tanks are just "harder" to keep stable. A properly cared small tank will be much more stable than a "i just need a bigger tank to keep it stable miraculously" big tank. Infact, I am pretty sure bigger tanks are prone to more crashes more than smaller tanks.

Changes happen slower with more water volume, it's not rocket science. In a small tank, you'll notice problems quicker, whereas in a larger tank, you may not notice the problem until it builds up.
Saying bigger tanks are more prone to crashes is false. If both tanks are properly maintained, the larger tank will always be more stable.
It's that in larger tanks, people think things are ok, just because they don't see drastic changes.
That's why regular maintenance is crucial, whether your tank is big or small.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by deepRED

Changes happen slower with more water volume, it's not rocket science. In a small tank, you'll notice problems quicker, whereas in a larger tank, you may not notice the problem until it builds up.

Ofcourse its not rocket science Or else why did I write "easier" to maintain? Bigger tanks are never easier other than the fact that it has more volume of water and hence need a lesser reflex from the owner to correct what's wrong.

Saying bigger tanks are more prone to crashes is false. If both tanks are properly maintained, the larger tank will always be more stable.

You have answers this part of the statement by yourself "It's that in larger tanks, people think things are OK". That's where the problem is. Everyone keeps on telling "bigger the better" but little do they say things "CAN" terribly go wrong with bigger systems too and they also need maintenance (with more amount of water). How many times have you seen smaller tanks with "all dead over night" than a bigger tank? Algae problem = smaller tank. Crash = bigger tank. Some searches will reveal that

It's that in larger tanks, people think things are ok, just because they don't see drastic changes.
That's why regular maintenance is crucial, whether your tank is big or small.

Replies in quote

[Razor]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

If both tanks are properly maintained, the larger tank will always be more stable.

And that's all I was saying.

[chi]

I want to do a zoa only tank with my nano. Probably get the whole thing covered in space monsters palys. Will probably look pretty cool. Got the idea from the dendro only tank at the vanc aquarium. Small confined space but visually stunning.

[deepRED]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

Replies in quote

I wasn't asking any questions, I was mainly stating facts.

I completely agree with you, large tanks give the hobbyist a false sense of security, and many use that as an excuse to let things slide before its too late.

But if you are educated and experienced in what you are doing, a larger tank is always more stable, I can't see how you can argue that. It may be harder to maintain in terms of sheer volume of water changes etc... But it will always be more stable given equal maintenance routines.

I see what you're trying to say, and it's a bit of a chicken and the egg argument, because we all know what should be done and what people actually do is different.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by deepRED

I wasn't asking any questions, I was mainly stating facts.

I completely agree with you, large tanks give the hobbyist a false sense of security, and many use that as an excuse to let things slide before its too late.

But if you are educated and experienced in what you are doing, a larger tank is always more stable, I can't see how you can argue that. It may be harder to maintain in terms of sheer volume of water changes etc... But it will always be more stable given equal maintenance routines.

I see what you're trying to say, and it's a bit of a chicken and the egg argument, because we all know what should be done and what people actually do is different.

I wasn't "answering". I was just "replying"

Anyway, I am not arguing about the stability. I have already written bigger tanks are "easier" to keep stable. And like you have said, the false sense of security of the famous quote "bigger is better" ( ) is something that cause problem. In the end, a well maintained tank is what matters, whether its big or small. You have time, money and dedication: go for a bigger tank. You have time and dedication: go for a small tank.

And regarding maintenance, in my previous 20 gallon, I would do 10gallon WC weekly and that wc had more impact on the overall health of the system than a 10 gallon weekly water change on my current 70 gallon system. Pro: I don't have to worry about pinpointing every parameter. Con: if things go wrong, that means pulling more buckets of water around.

And bigger tank brings more headache and I am pretty sure many will agree to that

[deepRED]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

I wasn't "answering". I was just "replying"

Anyway, I am not arguing about the stability. I have already written bigger tanks are "easier" to keep stable. And like you have said, the false sense of security of the famous quote "bigger is better" ( ) is something that cause problem. In the end, a well maintained tank is what matters, whether its big or small. You have time, money and dedication: go for a bigger tank. You have time and dedication: go for a small tank.

And regarding maintenance, in my previous 20 gallon, I would do 10gallon WC weekly and that wc had more impact on the overall health of the system than a 10 gallon weekly water change on my current 70 gallon system. Pro: I don't have to worry about pinpointing every parameter. Con: if things go wrong, that means pulling more buckets of water around.

And bigger tank brings more headache and I am pretty sure many will agree to that

Agreed.

For me, for someone just starting out I will suggest an all in one or else a 40 gallon breeder. I find it's a good balance with not being super tiny and not too big. Easy enough to do water changes and you don't need a garbage can sitting in your living room to mix water.. lol....

For someone who for sure is going to stick with it and not shut the tank down in half a year, I too prefer in the 75-125 gallon range. Seems to be a good balance of ease of maintenance and stability, and you can keep a larger range of fish, corals and inverts.

I've had 300+ gallon tanks and picos, and I can say each presents it's own challenges.

I'm currently running 800+ gallons of tanks, so I have a pretty good idea how long it takes to do stuff.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by deepRED

Agreed.

For me, for someone just starting out I will suggest an all in one or else a 40 gallon breeder. I find it's a good balance with not being super tiny and not too big. Easy enough to do water changes and you don't need a garbage can sitting in your living room to mix water.. lol....

For someone who for sure is going to stick with it and not shut the tank down in half a year, I too prefer in the 75-125 gallon range. Seems to be a good balance of ease of maintenance and stability, and you can keep a larger range of fish, corals and inverts.

I've had 300+ gallon tanks and picos, and I can say each presents it's own challenges.

I'm currently running 800+ gallons of tanks, so I have a pretty good idea how long it takes to do stuff.

That's a very strong point you have placed. Lots of people are tempted by "nemo" and "dory" other that sheer dedication and either ends up with a small tank getting bashed by tank police or ends up with big tank without knowing whether or not they can maintain the tank in the long run. I knew I was up for fun challenges when I started my 20 gallon (since nano = hard to keep is a very common notion in forums) but someone without idea of how to maintain a saltwater generally (since many forums which are not "nano friendly" makes it seem like big tanks don't need maintenance) and ends up getting a big tank depending on the notion of bigger the better and BAM!

Off topic: would love to see your 800 gallon tank A thread for it perhaps? One of the popular notions of this forum is: pic or it never happened

[deepRED]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

That's a very strong point you have placed. Lots of people are tempted by "nemo" and "dory" other that sheer dedication and either ends up with a small tank getting bashed by tank police or ends up with big tank without knowing whether or not they can maintain the tank in the long run. I knew I was up for fun challenges when I started my 20 gallon (since nano = hard to keep is a very common notion in forums) but someone without idea of how to maintain a saltwater generally (since many forums which are not "nano friendly" makes it seem like big tanks don't need maintenance) and ends up getting a big tank depending on the notion of bigger the better and BAM!

Off topic: would love to see your 800 gallon tank A thread for it perhaps? One of the popular notions of this forum is: pic or it never happened

I wish I had a single 800 gallon.. haha.... nope.

I have a 300 gallon, a 200 gallon, and 3x 100 gallon tanks. Only two are reefs and the rest are freshwater.

I have no clue where my old tank threads went but I used to have hundreds of posts when I was more active on the forum.
Got married, shut a bunch of tanks down and was MIA for a few years and when I came back all of a sudden I'm a newb again.