thinking about getting rid of my fish tank and...?

i was thinking about getting rid of my fish tank because... People say i need a wet dry and my tank isnt drilled so that means i have to spend endless amounts of money for and overflow and a pump.. also ... i have a huge lighting issue in my tank do to how deep it is... i wasthinking of getting rid of this tank and buying a solana 34 gallon ? how do those tanks run are they anygood.. i need a column style tank in order to fit in my room give me your advise plsease

 

The solana is nice, but there is no upgrading it. If you were to get a tank/stand/sump, you have the option to upgrade in size and components as you go/evolve. You can get a really nice set up using the Solana though. Its a nice size and has some good components. You could also look at the red sea max 130D.

 

Hi Cunez -
this reply may get some contradictory opinions - but
people on this site will often recommend things based on what they believe to be the best way to run a reef tank - and for many newcomers, juniors, people with young families or a tight budget , this advice can at times seem like bad news

my opinion

you do not need a wet/dry - if you have one its better sure - but you dont need one

despite the many advances in technology , the basic principles remain the same

If you cannot afford the best filters, skimmers, lighting etc - then you have to do 1 thing

you have to understand what the enviroment you create can support - how much and what type

you have to refrain from impulse buying ! this is critical

I can run a good looking reef tank using T5 lighting, internal / external filters and a decent skimmer ( important) - with good live rock , plenty of water movement , a low bio load and corals and fish from the begginers lists only!

its your money, just thought Id share a different perspective

 

i mean what do i need to upgrade i was thinking of keeping 4 fish in the tank and a bunch of corals... i have the lighting power for a solana but not enough for the tsank i currently own.. and im just fed up with this tank ive come across so many problems that im growing sick of the tank because i bought it and had to put almost everything on it :-(

 

Give us your tank specs, current lighting and filtration and skimmer details?

it may not be a lost cause thats all I am saying - but if you fancy a change , then go for it

 

Well, just because it is or isn't drilled doesn't mean anything. Even if it was drilled, you still have to get overflows, plumbing, and the return pump. There is little to no cost difference between drilled or not when setting up sump/fuge, wet dry, etc.
Honestly, I would just get a standard 55 and go from there. Calculate the exact s[pace you have and get the biggest tank you can. Search craigslist, they have some awesome deals on established set-ups, specially in todays world. You would be much happier. If it has to be a tall, then stay with what you have. Or re-arrange and make sacrifices for a different tank. I'm getting rid of my entire entertainment center for my 200
As to whether or not a wet dry is needed or not, I would say no. My 40 is run entirely on HOB equipment with nothing under the stand, and it's a decent little set-up. Don't get me wrong, a wet dry, sump/fuge, etc is a much nicer way to go, but if your willing to stock a little lighter, overskim/filter, more frequent water changes, whatever, it's not a necessity.

 

my tank is 20 x20x36 36 being the depth of the tank... and i have a 150 M/H on there right now and a 150 gallon protien skimmer with a filter wheel cleaner.. about 65 -75 pounds live rock and a few corals tested

Nitrate-0
Ammonium-0
Nitrite-0
phosphate- 0
salinity- 1.024
calcium- 460
alk- 9
i mean my water is fine its just i dunno man its driving me insane everytime i go somewhere they say i need something in my tank and ughh its frustrating.. my xenia i think is dying i have no clue why shes super tiny right now... she usually expands and pulsates ughh im jhust really frustrated lol ... asnd dont know what to dp

 

You will not need to spend endless amounts of money on an overflow and pump. I got my overflow for about $60, it's a Eshopps brand, and my pump, a Rio 2100 for about $45. I just checked out the Solana 34 cube and it's not that expensive, which immediately makes me think too good to be true for what it comes with. I would think that the quality of the skimmer is not great and I would question the circulation and the ATO. I think we can help you make the best decision if you post what your specificiations are now and what exactly the problems you have had are.

 

I feel ya

Im not sure I would go to the trouble of starting all over again with a new tank , because my xenia was closed down - xenia can be a funny species, doesn't travel well, can fail badly in some peoples tanks and in others can be a problem to keep on top of - propogates itself and takes over

aside from the Xenia? what other problems do you feel you have?

can you post some pictures?

 

I know how you feel. Not trying to be rude in any way, but I personally do not like tall tanks either. Waste of space IMO. Longer and wider is always better than tall.
But if your water is good and everything, then don't worry about the wet/dry. Like I said, I have never run one on mine. It does limit what you can do, but its not a required item on the smaller tanks in my mind at least.
And I wouldn't worry about the xenia. Sometimes it shrivles up and dies for no apparent reason. It's weird stuff.