- Joined
- Jul 24, 2003
- Messages
- 525
Forgive this post for being a longish one in advance but its taken me some deliberation to get to this point!!
Ive decided after having a dry tank for a year and half and a basic reef for a approx year that Im goin to take a step back for about a year and then reenter on the mission for an octo with a new bigger tank.
Reason Ive got to this point is since I now know whats required in keeping a marine tank (didnt when I bought my tank 2&1/2-3yrs ago) If I was to start again I would design my tank completly differently.
I think I can dedicate myself to other matters I need to prioritise in the short term, that I wouldnt be able to do if I comited to an octo with this tank now..it'd take masses of time off me (an prob kill me haa haa!!)
I think it would be helpful for others to know I bought a tank that is big enough for a bimac I would hope!! (44uk gallons + 10 in sump) and set about my filtration in the space I had, breaking it down in places to maximise.
This has lead to several avoidable problems. Mainly the time needed to spend on maintenance, although a high maintenance hobby, if I could start again there are design methods I could use that would lower the time I need to spend maintaining water quality.
With a bigger tank you can instill the belts and braces Ive noted Colin refer to, which I beleive is paramount. Since if your tank goes wrong with fish you could always whizz to the LFS for temporary saviour, with an octo your limited for places of refuge, if you catch me drift!!
The golden rule I think is if you create too much disturbance in doing maintenance in a small space you can stair things up and create problems that were unnecessary.
IM going to sell my livestock and equipment I dont need but keep the stuff I will reuse on my new tank in the future such as pumps etc since they last for years and years it'll save me buying them again!
They say the heart strings with the tank is the worst thing to overcome but I suppose you've gotta be able to scrap a project to reinvent and get it right!!
But mark my words this is not the end and if I have to I will line the wall of the spare room with pond liner an go divin in there with an octo if it comes to it!!!

Ive decided after having a dry tank for a year and half and a basic reef for a approx year that Im goin to take a step back for about a year and then reenter on the mission for an octo with a new bigger tank.
Reason Ive got to this point is since I now know whats required in keeping a marine tank (didnt when I bought my tank 2&1/2-3yrs ago) If I was to start again I would design my tank completly differently.
I think I can dedicate myself to other matters I need to prioritise in the short term, that I wouldnt be able to do if I comited to an octo with this tank now..it'd take masses of time off me (an prob kill me haa haa!!)
I think it would be helpful for others to know I bought a tank that is big enough for a bimac I would hope!! (44uk gallons + 10 in sump) and set about my filtration in the space I had, breaking it down in places to maximise.
This has lead to several avoidable problems. Mainly the time needed to spend on maintenance, although a high maintenance hobby, if I could start again there are design methods I could use that would lower the time I need to spend maintaining water quality.
With a bigger tank you can instill the belts and braces Ive noted Colin refer to, which I beleive is paramount. Since if your tank goes wrong with fish you could always whizz to the LFS for temporary saviour, with an octo your limited for places of refuge, if you catch me drift!!
The golden rule I think is if you create too much disturbance in doing maintenance in a small space you can stair things up and create problems that were unnecessary.
IM going to sell my livestock and equipment I dont need but keep the stuff I will reuse on my new tank in the future such as pumps etc since they last for years and years it'll save me buying them again!
They say the heart strings with the tank is the worst thing to overcome but I suppose you've gotta be able to scrap a project to reinvent and get it right!!
But mark my words this is not the end and if I have to I will line the wall of the spare room with pond liner an go divin in there with an octo if it comes to it!!!