Should I downgrade tanks?

[red_wall]

I've been thinking on this a little bit.

I'm going to be a senior in high school, and I don't know if I should keep my 46 gallon. I'm planning on getting deep into planted tanks, and if I move out when I graduate, I wouldn't be able to take the tank with me, I'd probably be living in a second floor apartment with a floor that will collapse if I step a little too hard. No space either.

I'd have to get rid of my plants (or probably let them die), get rid of my soil (eco-complete or whatever), give away my fish (nobody around here buys them), and sell the tank. God help me if I tell my parents to take care of it :headshake2:

I figure that I could sell it now and be done with the headache as well as have a planted tank for less! Who doesn't like that?

Thinking of a 10 gallon or 20 breeder.


Here's how I see it.

Pros:
Less energy consumption (GO GREEN WOOOO!)
Costs less (Can probably set up new tank for what I sell my old one for)
More variety of high-light plants (46 gallons take a lot of light to have high light)
Easier maintenance (5 gallon bucket, 46 gallon tank, you do the math)
DIY co2 will actually work
I can take it with me when (and if) I move out.

Cons:
Less space for fish (Will 26 goldfish fit in a 10 gallon?)
Less space for plants (No swords? )
Harder to keep parameters up (bigger tanks are easier)
Many species can't fit in the tank (I can haz Oscahs?)


What do you think I should do?
Will I shoot myself later?

 

[bluekrissyspike]

i'd enjoy the 46 for now, but get a ten to take with you. when it comes time to move, ask your parents if you can leave the empty 46g at their place until you graduate college or whatever. then just before it's time to move pick out the plants you want to keep. sell the rest in the classifieds here. you may be able to find someone locally to buy your fish in a free online classifieds site. that way, when you are set up in a big enough place to get your 46 set back up, you will have it already and you won't have to buy a new set up.

 

[jptjpt]

That's really good advice bluekrissyspike. I would definitely go that way. Or you could go with two 5 gallons and do nanos while you're in college.

 

[jpappy789]

My advice: downgrade as soon as you can. But still keep the 46g in storage. You'll definitely be glad to leave college and not have to pay for an entire new tank setup again.

I'm in the process of doing that at the moment and it really is a pain in the butt to do the summer before you leave for college. My mind would probably be more at ease if I had taken care of a tank before now :wall:

Hopefully my 20 long will work in the dorm. I'm really banking on it...

 

[red_wall]

i'd enjoy the 46 for now, but get a ten to take with you. when it comes time to move, ask your parents if you can leave the empty 46g at their place until you graduate college or whatever. then just before it's time to move pick out the plants you want to keep. sell the rest in the classifieds here. you may be able to find someone locally to buy your fish in a free online classifieds site. that way, when you are set up in a big enough place to get your 46 set back up, you will have it already and you won't have to buy a new set up.

How will the tank hold up to heat? Like around, oh I don't know in the 120's? Being a bit drastic here, but it can really get hot in an attic in Georgia.

I'm thinking about the storage idea

My advice: downgrade as soon as you can. But still keep the 46g in storage. You'll definitely be glad to leave college and not have to pay for an entire new tank setup again.

I'm in the process of doing that at the moment and it really is a pain in the butt to do the summer before you leave for college. My mind would probably be more at ease if I had taken care of a tank before now :wall:

Hopefully my 20 long will work in the dorm. I'm really banking on it...

I think that's a good idea for now, downgrading, yet keeping the 46 in storage. I honestly think I'll do that.

Good thing I'm thinking ahead :]

 

[jpappy789]

Very, very, very good thing. It may be hard to say good-bye to a tank at present time but it will definitely save you the hassle in the future. Me, I need to get rid of all my fish in the 55 gal, find a new home for the tank itself as it is way too big for storage, and then dissemble everything in the next month. Then, rehome the fish I am not taking in the 30, put all that into storage and get the 20 gallon and all the fish I am *hopefully* taking to school prepped for an 8 hour drive in August. Argh!

 

[red_wall]

Very, very, very good thing. It may be hard to say good-bye to a tank at present time but it will definitely save you the hassle in the future. Me, I need to get rid of all my fish in the 55 gal, find a new home for the tank itself as it is way too big for storage, and then dissemble everything in the next month. Then, rehome the fish I am not taking in the 30, put all that into storage and get the 20 gallon and all the fish I am *hopefully* taking to school prepped for an 8 hour drive in August. Argh!

It won't be too hard to say bye-bye, it kind of sucks right now, so no big loss.

Wow, you have a very long to do list. Good luck.

Does anyone have any input as to how the tank will hold up to the heat?
Will the silicone melt/deteriorate/wear away?

 

[LuciferSam]

Fill it with water, then store it in the garage... attic is a bad Idea. It gets Insanely hot in both the Attic and Garage, but the Garage is soo much cooler. here in Houston, but if you fill it with water it will preserve the seals. Right now I have a 150, and a 75 stored like that, and I had a 135 stored the same way for about 2 years.

 

[kanvas]

wait, am i the only one who see

Will 26 goldfish fit in a 10 gallon?
I can haz Oscahs?

if you want to keep your goldies the NO, i say even with the 46 is pushing it
if you want oscar then also NO.

Better keep your 46 unless you wan to downsize your fish size and fish population also.
You may think different but highschool senior isn't bad at all. I was kinda drifted along took some AP class and still get A.

 

[red_wall]

wait, am i the only one who see
if you want to keep your goldies the NO, i say even with the 46 is pushing it
if you want oscar then also NO.

Better keep your 46 unless you wan to downsize your fish size and fish population also.
You may think different but highschool senior isn't bad at all. I was kinda drifted along took some AP class and still get A.

Em... Twas a joke. :]
I was being sarcastic about common misconceptions with aquatics, overstocking, and species that don't fit their tank size :hitting:

I know, bad jokes, but whatever.