I have a 3yr but it's not too much different form my 6mt tank (6th tank seeded from old tank so there was no cycle and I was able to put things in on week 3 and I am always doing things in my tanks so it's not much different and the tank I started my first one form was at least 8yrs old and its just a tank.... it's all about how and what you do some of the best tanks I have seen are in the 8-12 mth range I think it's because thats the time (imho for the most part) people's passion and ability are at the top unless your a die hard and have the cash to spend