Beginner Tank
- Thread starter brit0211
- Start date
cprdnick
Active Member
Welcome to the board brit!!!!
It really depends on you, your schedule, and your amount of dedication to learning. If you've been reading then you know that the smaller the tank, the harder to keep healthy parameters. You have a small margin for errors with a small tank. However, a small tank is cheaper, and in my opinion, if you can handle a small tank and not have anything die on you and your parameters are maintained then you can have any size later down the road. I'm a firm believer in learning to do something as hard as it can be learned, then when the time comes for it to be easy, you float right through it.
I started with an 18 gallon, and I lost quite a few creatures to my own stupidity. If I was you I would get a 29 gallon cube, or a 55 gallon, these two would be some good starters.
IMO
Clint
Of course BangGuy is a good fella' to listen to also.
It really depends on you, your schedule, and your amount of dedication to learning. If you've been reading then you know that the smaller the tank, the harder to keep healthy parameters. You have a small margin for errors with a small tank. However, a small tank is cheaper, and in my opinion, if you can handle a small tank and not have anything die on you and your parameters are maintained then you can have any size later down the road. I'm a firm believer in learning to do something as hard as it can be learned, then when the time comes for it to be easy, you float right through it.
I started with an 18 gallon, and I lost quite a few creatures to my own stupidity. If I was you I would get a 29 gallon cube, or a 55 gallon, these two would be some good starters.
IMO
Clint
Of course BangGuy is a good fella' to listen to also.
doodle1800
Active Member
I started with a 10 gal, kept some hermits, snails, and 2 percula clowns + LR (live rock). I thought it worked out fine for a start.
I personally feel a 75 is too large for a beginner. You will have to spend a lot more $$ and if you aren't satisfied, or fail
, or just don't have the time to put into it, well.. you'll be better off with a smaller tank - IMO.
I personally feel a 75 is too large for a beginner. You will have to spend a lot more $$ and if you aren't satisfied, or fail
, or just don't have the time to put into it, well.. you'll be better off with a smaller tank - IMO.
doodle1800
Active Member
$400 - minimum
tank with 15watt lights - $75
over hang filter - $40
heater - $20
sand - $40 - if you go with crushed coral - $20
Live Rock from SWF.com - $110
powerheads (2) - $40
salt - $20
hydrometer - $15
stand - $25
optional -
test kit $30 (not really optional, but not needed right away)
skimmer - $75 - SeaClone 100
130watt lights - $130
does not include food or livestock...
tank with 15watt lights - $75
over hang filter - $40
heater - $20
sand - $40 - if you go with crushed coral - $20
Live Rock from SWF.com - $110
powerheads (2) - $40
salt - $20
hydrometer - $15
stand - $25
optional -
test kit $30 (not really optional, but not needed right away)
skimmer - $75 - SeaClone 100
130watt lights - $130
does not include food or livestock...
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
for a simple fo system you need a tank,sand, plants, lights, and some circulation. It is better to get the largest possible tank you can afford. I recommend that the length or width be 4'. that way inexpensive building materials can be used such as utility lights (2 tube 4' home depot ~$10 with tubes). You will have much more success with that than a 29g with expensive filtering and setups.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
while we are estimating:
55g tank stand hood $250.
lights $ 10.
sand $ 6.00
salt $20.
curshed oyster shells $ 3.00
powerhead $ 40.00
macros free-$30.00
total cost $329-359
Very good to have: hydrometer
test kit $20.00
if you have a place to set the tank on, the 55g is about $100 without the stand and hood. so no stand or hood it is about $170.00-$200.00.
My email for how to do this is beaslbob@aol.com
55g tank stand hood $250.
lights $ 10.
sand $ 6.00
salt $20.
curshed oyster shells $ 3.00
powerhead $ 40.00
macros free-$30.00
total cost $329-359
Very good to have: hydrometer
test kit $20.00
if you have a place to set the tank on, the 55g is about $100 without the stand and hood. so no stand or hood it is about $170.00-$200.00.
My email for how to do this is beaslbob@aol.com
brit0211
Member
hey everyone!
thanks for all of the advice
i talked to a lady at my LFS today and she said that she began with a 29 and had no problems (only 1 died in 3 years) I know shes probably just lucky though... anyway she said if i had the money i could go bigger and probably be more successful. She also told me that 55 is probably too big for me to begin on, and she thinks I should go for 29-30something.
What do you all say to that?
Keep in mind that I DO have money to spend, but I want to make sure I dont jump in too deep by getting too big, ya know?
Thanks again!
thanks for all of the advice
i talked to a lady at my LFS today and she said that she began with a 29 and had no problems (only 1 died in 3 years) I know shes probably just lucky though... anyway she said if i had the money i could go bigger and probably be more successful. She also told me that 55 is probably too big for me to begin on, and she thinks I should go for 29-30something.
What do you all say to that?
Keep in mind that I DO have money to spend, but I want to make sure I dont jump in too deep by getting too big, ya know?
Thanks again!
texasgiraffe
Member
I know that these are all opinions... but... take it from me- don't try a small tank- I'd say at least 55 gallons. Reason being....
I have a 29 gallon and it is a bit of a chore to handle, and I have had fresh water fish a long time. You are also limited on the species you can have in smaller tanks. I am really sorry I did not go larger- it would have been easier for me and I could have more animals. Now I am at the point of wanting a larger tank. I read when I got started in books to buy the biggest tank your pocket book will allow.... believe me that is TRUE! Best of Luck, and hey, if you do go smaller on the tank- it can be done. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it.
I have a 29 gallon and it is a bit of a chore to handle, and I have had fresh water fish a long time. You are also limited on the species you can have in smaller tanks. I am really sorry I did not go larger- it would have been easier for me and I could have more animals. Now I am at the point of wanting a larger tank. I read when I got started in books to buy the biggest tank your pocket book will allow.... believe me that is TRUE! Best of Luck, and hey, if you do go smaller on the tank- it can be done. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Originally posted by brit0211
ok, so maintenance-wise, how much more would it cost each month to maintain a 55 instead of a 29? I dont need exact numbers, just roughly how much more would it cost?
you guys are great!
Kinda hard to tell. I just replace the water that evaporates and maybe a 1/2 cup of salt from salt creap.
a 10% weekly water change would require 20g of new saltwater every 4 weeks.
bang guy
Moderator
Originally posted by brit0211
i went and checked out the 55's and i think that would work out.. its so much nicer..
I know earlier you didn't believe me, but the 75 is sooo much more than the 55 for not a lot more money. It will use the exact same equipment. The front to back distance is a VAST improvement over the tiny 55.
IMO the 40 breeder would even be better than the 55.
S
sleepyguy
Guest
I just started two months ago with a 75 gallon but researched the hobby for about 5 years before I bought my tank. IMO 75g is a great starter tank but it also depends on your budget.