Help me make a reefing decision

[jgraz]

Litlle background first.
I've been contemplating building a frag system in my basement for some time now. The original plan was to use the 80 gal Deep Blue Frag tank 48x24x16. Ive also been tossing around the idea of upgrading my current system to a 120Gal even though what I really want is 200DD. Basically I just don't have the money to put into a 200 right now and that is the reason for going to the 120. My wife(and I) knows though that if I get the 120 when I really want the 200 its like throwing away money and I'll ultimately end up upgrading again anyway.

Today, my wife tells me that she want to replace the flooring in the room that the DT is in, I agree with her, so the tank has to be moved. So here are my options as I see it.

Option 1: Set up the Frag system in the basment and house all my fish and corals that I want to keep there and sell off the remainder of the 90 to start funding the 200 which I figure will take me about 1 1/2 years. Added benefit is that I will set this up right under the spot the 200 would end up in and eventually it would just get tied into the system and be the beginnings of a basement fish room.

Option 2: Breakdown the 90 and move that to the basement and then start saving for the 200 which I figure will take me about a year.

Option 3: Breakdown and move 90 to basement and after floor is done immediatly upgrade to the 120G and wish I had waited for the 200G and in a couple of years upgrade again.

Thanks in advance for the help. Any and all opinions are welcomed.
John

 

[downbeach]

I would do option #2, go for the tank you want, and use the 90 as your sump for the 200DD.

 

[jgraz]

I would do option #2, go for the tank you want, and use the 90 as your sump for the 200DD.

The though had crossed my mind on using the 90 as a sump however it's reef ready and well won't work with the overflow.
Just added to option 1. If I go this way it would eventually get tied into whatever system I go with and ultimately be the beginnings of a basement fish room.

 

[iTzJu]

Option 1, frag system can hold corals and even though it wont fully satisfy your reefing needs, it'll grow out your corals. With overgrowth comes frags that you can sell to fund the 200dd. In the end you end up with a frag system and a display. Win, win

 

[Empire]

By the way you explain it, I can easily tell you will agree with my choice- Option 1!! Benefit for 2- you can get the 200 faster. However you lose out on having a larger frag tank. Benefit for 3-you could use the 120 as a sump for the 200.

 

[Jonjonmolina333]

Option 1, frag system can hold corals and even though it wont fully satisfy your reefing needs, it'll grow out your corals. With overgrowth comes frags that you can sell to fund the 200dd. In the end you end up with a frag system and a display. Win, win

+1. Also if you do not use the overgrown corals for frags u will have nice big colonies to fill your 200dd.

 

[dppitone]

#3, on the Mike Tyson premise that "everyone has a plan until . . . " Who knows what'll be in the wind in 1 1/2 years.

 

[Mike S]

I'd vote for option 2. If the 200DD is what you have your heart set on, I'd hold off for that. Option 1 might cost a little more in the long run with setting it up the first time and then reconfiguring it down the road. You can always sell of your current system when you are ready to upgrade.

 

[dppitone]

With a basement under a DD or a 120g, you might want to run at least a 100g rubbermaid as a sump and another 100g rubbermaid as a fuge.

 

[Zippy69]

Option 2. You being the coral lover would not be satisfied with jut an 80gal frag tank for 1.5 years! The German in me says why piss money on a 120 that will finally mature and ripen around the time you are adamant to upgrade to the 200. Besides, when it's all said and done why not use the 90 in your to be "fish room " as your frag tank when you get the 200.

 

[MatteZ]

What does the "dd" stand for?

Option 1

 

[mikem]

I would go with option #4... Do the flooring, drain 3/4 of the water thats in the tank now, move the tank away enough to do the flooring under it then move the tank back. No money spent on setting up another one. You's might miss a tank where it is now and decide to put something in its place if you move it to the basement, wives are like that.

 

[MatteZ]

What does "dd" stand for?

Option 1

 

[Classklown90]

What does "dd" stand for?

Option 1

Double deep I believe

Sent from my Galaxy S4

 

[downbeach]

Deep Dimension

 

[redfishbluefish]

I’m probably not going to help because of my warped sense of life, but this is the way I see it. Our tanks are like kids. If you were to sit down and figure out what it costs to have and raise a kid, you’d never, ever have kids. It’s cheaper to go buy a Ferrari or Lamborghini than to have a kid. Well, tanks are the same way. If someone asked me to total up what I spend to purchase and maintain a tank, I’d probably puke, and wished I purchased the Ferrari.

So my advice is to not think (that’s easy for me) and do what you want to do….a new frag tank in the basement, and a 200DD on the new floor upstairs….somehow it all works out….and no poopie diapers to change.

 

[Zippy69]

I’m probably not going to help because of my warped sense of life, but this is the way I see it. Our tanks are like kids. If you were to sit down and figure out what it costs to have and raise a kid, you’d never, ever have kids. It’s cheaper to go buy a Ferrari or Lamborghini than to have a kid. Well, tanks are the same way. If someone asked me to total up what I spend to purchase and maintain a tank, I’d probably puke, and wished I purchased the Ferrari.

So my advice is to not think (that’s easy for me) and do what you want to do….a new frag tank in the basement, and a 200DD on the new floor upstairs….somehow it all works out….and no poopie diapers to change.

This is very true.....even more so when you are gifted with girls only! At least I will be well cared for but constantly corrected

 

[jgraz]

Thanks everyone. Still up in the air. But I still have some time to think it over anyway. Nothing happening til the new year anyway. Im really leaning towards option 1 but you never know, my wife hasen't chimed in yet but im thinking shes gonna go with 1 also. Option 3 is really not an option I figured I'd throw it out there for fun.

I’m probably not going to help because of my warped sense of life, but this is the way I see it. Our tanks are like kids. If you were to sit down and figure out what it costs to have and raise a kid, you’d never, ever have kids. It’s cheaper to go buy a Ferrari or Lamborghini than to have a kid. Well, tanks are the same way. If someone asked me to total up what I spend to purchase and maintain a tank, I’d probably puke, and wished I purchased the Ferrari.

So my advice is to not think (that’s easy for me) and do what you want to do….a new frag tank in the basement, and a 200DD on the new floor upstairs….somehow it all works out….and no poopie diapers to change.

Now Paul don't shortchange your opinion here. I'm now considering getting rid of my kid and then I can just put all of that money into a 1000 gal reef.

 

[dppitone]

I'm in line for a 250DD. The DD tanks are all 36" wide. The 200DD is 4ft long, the 250dd is 5ft and the 300DD is 6ft. Libby on here just put in a 250DD.

 

[JRWOHLER]

I’m probably not going to help because of my warped sense of life, but this is the way I see it. Our tanks are like kids. If you were to sit down and figure out what it costs to have and raise a kid, you’d never, ever have kids. It’s cheaper to go buy a Ferrari or Lamborghini than to have a kid. Well, tanks are the same way. If someone asked me to total up what I spend to purchase and maintain a tank, I’d probably puke, and wished I purchased the Ferrari.

So my advice is to not think (that’s easy for me) and do what you want to do….a new frag tank in the basement, and a 200DD on the new floor upstairs….somehow it all works out….and no poopie diapers to change.

Set it up like Mike and Nikki's system. Using the frag tank and the 90 in the basement...you will be able to get it to work out even if it is reef ready.