Getting Bigger?

bjoe23

Active Member
I am getting a SWF tank soon and I dont know what tank size i should get.
First I had a left over 10g tank from my FWF and was thinking about that....but then every1 say was too small for a good tank and stuff
Next I was gunna get a 12g nanocube, because it came with hood, filter, light etc.... but then i relized there was a 24g nanocube.
So thats where i stand now, kinda
, I kinda wanna get bigger but not too big, so less than a 55. What size do u think is good for a newb to SWF?
 

clown boy

Active Member
55 - 75 gallons is a good starter, in my opinion. Bigger the better. That way, you can begin with beginer fish; and, as you learn more, you can get more advanced fish without having to get a new setup.
I started with a 135 gallon... LOL.
 

reefstar

Member
i just started this hobby too and i bought a 55 gallon tank so its easyer to keep the water stable, and i wont be wanting a bigger tank soon, (i hope
)
 

dawman

Active Member
I`d say a 55 is a good size to start with .In small tanks the water tends to be unstable for a newbie and causes many problems . You can get a 55 with the light , buy a good filter for close to the same price as a 24 nano .
 

bjoe23

Active Member
Originally Posted by Dawman
I`d say a 55 is a good size to start with .In small tanks the water tends to be unstable for a newbie and causes many problems . You can get a 55 with the light , buy a good filter for close to the same price as a 24 nano .
Really? for the same price as a nano? Can u send me an email on where to buy? oconnellbilly2@yahoo.com
Another thing is i have no clue how to do the sup.
 

robdog696

Member
Hey again BJoe! I paid 125 for my 58 gallon and accessories used. Shop the classifieds, the site where they

[hr]
stuff, and see if your LFS sells used tanks. Some will have a few in the back they don't keep on display.
But I remember you are going BIG in the future, so if you want something that you will want to keep after you set up the in wall tank I HIGHLY recommend a 12g nano. Perfect for any desktop!!!!
 

bjoe23

Active Member
Originally Posted by Robdog696
Hey again BJoe! I paid 125 for my 58 gallon and accessories used. Shop the classifieds, the site where they

[hr]
stuff, and see if your LFS sells used tanks. Some will have a few in the back they don't keep on display.
But I remember you are going BIG in the future, so if you want something that you will want to keep after you set up the in wall tank I HIGHLY recommend a 12g nano. Perfect for any desktop!!!!
thanks, so wat size tank u think i should get?
 

browniebuck

Active Member
I have a 55 gallon tank in my basement family room...and my wife got jealous and wanted her own tank. We got her a 29 gallon to put upstairs in the living room. It is decent sized, but not too big, while still being big enough to get a few fish and a variety of inverts. Sometime in the future, I am sure that she will want to go from FOWLR to a reef (as my 55 is transforming).
 

chief26

Member
i started with 20 gallon in january I upgraded to a 55 gallon 2 months ago. i caught myself dreaming of the 125 gallon. no matter where you start i think if you like it you will get bigger and bigger. i dont know about the nanos but a 20 gallon is hard to keep the water stable. try to go as big as you can for the room you have. if you have the room for a 55 gallon i would start there. i would assume it will take you longer than a year before you really get the bug to go bigger. I got my 55 gallon for $160.00 with stand and hood on sale at the lfs.
 

bjoe23

Active Member
Originally Posted by chief26
i started with 20 gallon in january I upgraded to a 55 gallon 2 months ago. i caught myself dreaming of the 125 gallon. no matter where you start i think if you like it you will get bigger and bigger. i dont know about the nanos but a 20 gallon is hard to keep the water stable. try to go as big as you can for the room you have. if you have the room for a 55 gallon i would start there. i would assume it will take you longer than a year before you really get the bug to go bigger. I got my 55 gallon for $160.00 with stand and hood on sale at the lfs.
u got tank, stand, and hood with day and night lights for 160? and how much on filter and lr and ls?
 

chief26

Member
i cant say that i have seen anything between 29 gallon and 55 gallon but then my lfs sucks. as far as the tank i purchased only day lights i cant find moonlights. i transferred all my stuff from my 10 and 20 gallon tanks. lr was on sale for $4.00 per pound. remember i am still new to this too. i am addicted. unless you purchase maybe a reef package or go thru ads all ive seen is purchased separately. just so much to chose from. must be 100 different bulbs. i have 3 different kinds.
 

reefstar

Member
Originally Posted by bjoe23
Really? for the same price as a nano? Can u send me an email on where to buy? oconnellbilly2@yahoo.com
Another thing is i have no clue how to do the sup.

well if your looking at a 24 gallon or even a 40 gallon i dont think u need a sump, just hang on equipment (thats what im doing for my 55)
 

chief26

Member
me too i only have a hang on filter on my 55 gallon. my christmas gift will be a wet/dry filter. i think
 

dreamer44

Member
Originally Posted by ReefStar
yea i want one that big (of coarse) but i dont have the money (right now) to do what

I would like to go bigger in the future too,,,but just try talking dh into that, after all it took me over 4 yrs just to get the 24g nano
Idk...he did look at the 72g bowfront and tell me we should wait on the nano and save for the 72, but im smarter than that...."wait" really meant...its not going to happen. SO i told him I wanted to get the 24 so I could take care of it BY-MY-SELF...so he said okaaaaaaaaaay.....
anyway, someday bigger, right now Im doing ok with the 24, and my water seems to be doing fine...mind you Ive only had it a short time now, time will tell how well I do with it.
Good luck in your sw venture!
:)
Lori
 

andy51632

Member
If I were you I would get a 29gal setup from wal-mart(90$). About 40-50lbs lr, 10lbs live sand. I would use your filter and heater that comes with the 29gal, get a couple mj1200 power heads.
Let the tank cycle with the filter and be sure and add your filter from the extra 10gal. Then use your 10gal as your QT.
Whenever you want to upgrade to a bigger tank, use the 29gal for QT and the 10gal as part of your sump.
You won't want to waste money on something that you won't use in the future when you have a bigger tank. Example small skimmer. I guess you could sell it but why bother with the hastle.
 
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