Best size tank for a reef setup?

[bigred]

I was looking into buying another take but don't really know what to get. I went the the lfs and he had a nice 46 gal euro bow front tank that was nice. I just want something to do a nice show tank.

 

[ren]

this is a easy question the biggest you can fit. Cause the larger the tank the easier to keep up with all parameters and the more you can have in it plus the critters have more room too

 

[templar]

Personally if you know what your doing a small tank is so much less work then a big tank, but besides that if you go with a small reef 10-30g your looking at 1-3 small fish. If you want to eventually have tangs in your reef you need atleast a 75g. I have a 46g bow front and I absolutely love it. I use a 25g refugium, 4"dsb, and roughly 80-90 lbs or LR. The tank has been flourishing and makes a great reef. My only setback is that I did want tangs and they simply don't work in a 46g tank. If you can, consider the 72g or 90g bow fronts, but if money is an issue go for the 29g or 46g bowfront. Also think about if you want SPS corals or not because if you do a bow front isnt as good because it's hard to get a canopy for them to put the MH lights in.
Hope that helps some.

 

[fshhub]

i gotta somewhat disagree, even if you know what you are doing, the larger is deinitely the easier to care for, i have seen nanno, under 10 gallons, but they have to test and top off almost daily, just to keep their h2o from fluctuating(just based on daily evaporation), whereas a larger tank has more room to work, and the larger tanks will have a much largera nd more stable bio filter, which will aid alot in maintaining h2o as well, not only because it is larger, but 6 sq feet, vs. on sq. ft. has not 6x but 100's x or more the sand surface,and the 175 lbs of lr vs the 15 lbs will be 12x's and th 125 gallons vs the 10 gallons, much more leeway in little errors,now all these are based on the same system, a 5mg overdose on alk increaser in a 10 gal could be leathal, but in a125, wtih those same equipment listed woudl be no where near leathal,
now comparing a 10 to a 40, you may not notice much of a difference, but comparing a 10 to a 75 or a 125, you will notice a big difference in care and stability
but i do agree get the 75 to 125 if possible(72's are nice, but they are more than 75 or 90's because of the shape in alot of stores)
i feel the largest that you can fit and afford(considering the rock, pumps, lights,and all, not just the $$ of the tank) is the best by far(this also means a 29 if that is what you can fit or afford, just get the largest YOU can)

 

[mlm]

If I could do it over again I would have bought a 75 gallon. Its not too small and not too big and has enough width front to back to make it easy to work in.

 

[ttimur]

Small reef means hard work.
I have 2 reef aquariums, 220 g and a 10 g. Believe me its much easier with the big one. Nano is always needs something. If you turn your back for a very short time, things can chance very fast. You have to check S.G. like everyday, test 2 or 3 times a week, water changes every 3 days. NANO IS HARD, thats why I like it though.

 

[broomer5]

Yep - regarding tank size in saltwater - bigger is better in most every case.
The only real downsize we see is cost.
Bigger tank means more expensive lighting and most every other piece of equipment aside from a thermometer LOL.
I've had a 55 and it was nice, but limited on space for rock. I replaced it with a 75, and was able to keep much of my original equipment, although planning to upgrade lighting and sump.
I have a 30 long - nice in between size for those that want a "smaller" tank, and not difficult to light.
I had a 10 gallon nano for a few months - but as others have mentioned -I found it too temperamental and unpredicatble. Also I felt I had too many other tanks going at once, and found it very time consuming trying to keep up with them all. Nano is no more.
If I had the room - a 125 seems like a nice choice for a reef tank - lot's of possibilities.
75 over the 55 for sure - I'm pleased with it so far.
Good luck on your search for your new tank

 

[fender]

My .02 - big is better and I prefer tall tanks- one of the 'rules' was always to stay away from 'tall' tanks in SW setups. I however like the taller tanks, true they need better lights and better circulation, but with a DSB of 6+ inches a tall tank looks a whole lot better and because you have a broader light spectrum, more animals can be kept in optimal conditions. i.e. keep shrooms and corals that don't need a ton of light at the deeper areas and the light lovers at the top.
Take a look at a 75 and and 90. The extra height on the 90 makes a world of difference IMO with a DSB. For the few $$$ more a 90 is a nicer tank.

 

[templar]

I still say, in my experience that my 10g is the easiest tank I've ever had. It is a modified eclipse system, with a DSB and LR. The Eclipse hood pretty much is a complete cover over the tank so evaporation is a minimum. I have to top off only once a week at the most. All levels have been stable as well in it for months. I do water changes about once a month. I also have a large amount of caulerpa racemosa growing in it which may well be the reason its easier to take care of. It's stocked with one percula clown and a neon goby as well as a few various inverts and 'shrooms.
Now I'm not saying smaller is better, in MOST cases it is harder, but on the upside it is cheaper. But you have very little room for error which is why smaller nano-reefs are for people who have dealt with bigger systems, or on a tight budget and willing to learn.
Anyway, go big, I would never be able to live with JUST a 10g lol.

 

[miner]

I went from a 40 to a 55 to a 90 then to a 75. There are good/bad in everything. Just get what You want. I like the 75, but now I wish I still had my 90. I am running out of room, and my Corals don't like it. I think bigger the better, if You have the room and the $$$$$
Just my .o2