starting off big

[choog]

Is it too risky for some one to just start off with a big aquarium (around 200 Gal.) or should i just get a smaller one and work my way up. I only have experience with a 29 gal freshwater but I've done my reading. I have to wait til I graduate in Dec. but I want a large aggressive tank. thanks

 

[swfishfan]

many aquarist here will say for you to go with the biggest you can afford, not just tank wise but all the needs of the tank(accesories) so if you can afford it then go for it there is more room for error in a bigger tank than a smaller. A couple od dead fish in a 200 might not affect anything, but a couple dead fish in a 29 gal could pretty much affect everything in there so i say go for it if you can afford it.

 

[quakstar]

GO BIG stock slow... even if you have alot of money don't go out and waste tons of money on lots of fish and corals right at the beginning... Because i know once you have a 29 within 4 months you are going to kick your behind and he like shoot I need bigger.... just get you a nice size tank stock with live rock and add fish and corals as you realize that they will survive and thrive then add as you want

 

[renogaw]

i'm for start small--get a small 20/30 gallon tank. get used to it, then when you upgrade to the monster tank you have a QT

 

[reefer545]

LARGE TANKS ARE EASIER TO MAINTAIN THAN SMALL TANKS if you have hte money. They cost a bit more to maitain, however, you will easily get away with a short vacation. That means, a small tank needs frequent and usually two times per day or more or an automatic maintenance system. I have to top mine off twice a day, plus I have to change the water NO MORE THAN ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS. When I do it once a week, it shows, but my schedule does not always allow. LARGER TANKS ARE BETTER!!! Especially if you want an aggresive tank. Most fish you will probably be interested in will NEED LARGWE TANKS.

 

[renogaw]

yes, but why spend all that money on a huge tank only to decide a couple months down the road that the maintenance is too much? start out with a smaller tank. deal with all the headaches so you KNOW you want to deal with them on a larger scale. every fish should be qt'ed so starting out with a little 20 or 30 gallon tank will provide that if/when you go bigger.

 

[earlybird]

Originally Posted by renogaw
yes, but why spend all that money on a huge tank only to decide a couple months down the road that the maintenance is too much? start out with a smaller tank. deal with all the headaches so you KNOW you want to deal with them on a larger scale. every fish should be qt'ed so starting out with a little 20 or 30 gallon tank will provide that if/when you go bigger.
I agree 100% you can also use the smaller tank for a sump/fuge in the future.

 

[maxalmon]

Originally Posted by renogaw
yes, but why spend all that money on a huge tank only to decide a couple months down the road that the maintenance is too much? start out with a smaller tank. deal with all the headaches so you KNOW you want to deal with them on a larger scale. every fish should be qt'ed so starting out with a little 20 or 30 gallon tank will provide that if/when you go bigger.
If you set the 200 up right from the start and follow the basic rules for keeping a marine tank then there really is no maintenance, my 125 takes a total of about 2 minutes a day, magnet clean the glass, feed the fish and enjoy

Every 6-8 weeks a 34-45g water change that takes about 2-3 hours. My frag tank is the same way.
.
As long as you understand the concept of how a marine tank works and you make correct decisions on initial setup and stocking, the 200g tank will be so much more enjoyable.
.
A 20-30g tank is much harder than a 200g tank, but like renogaw mentioned, just make sure that you seriously want a tank of that size and understand whats required over a long period of time....Good luck...Jim

 

[chaoscat]

It's all well and good to say "Go Big", but the real question is, "Do you have $5,000 you're willing to put into this?" Because, in my estimation, that's a lowball idea of what it's going to cost to properly set up and minimally stock a 200 gallon reef tank. Not to mention that if you opt for Halide lighting for it, you can expect your electric bills to go up $100 bucks a month
But, if money is not a problem - go for it.

 

[fishycpa]

I just bought my first tank ever, and it is a 6' 125. I was told and agree with the sentiment that you should go as large as money and space can provide. I probably would have done a 200 or so but I don't have the room for it

 

[choog]

thanks for all the input. I will go straight for the big tank. I won't have any halide lights. . .it'll be FOWLR. I'm not worried about the maintainence. I've been a quiet member of this board for a while and read Fenner's book. I graduate in December then I'm gonna start slowing buying all the equipment before the tank itself (that way I'm not tempted to just fill it up and throw in some fish

).

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by choog
thanks for all the input. I will go straight for the big tank. I won't have any halide lights. . .it'll be FOWLR. I'm not worried about the maintainence. I've been a quiet member of this board for a while and read Fenner's book. I graduate in December then I'm gonna start slowing buying all the equipment before the tank itself (that way I'm not tempted to just fill it up and throw in some fish

).
I agree with the post "start big, stock slow". Other than the $, I see no reason to start with a smaller tank. If you decide to quit, sell stuff used and re-coop what you can. I think the bigger the tank, the easier to learn. More room for error and no matter what you want to do; you're already set. You sound like you know what you want and what you're getting into--why waste time & money on stuff you know will be temporary. How many of us had said "I wish I'd bought a bigger tank....whenever"? An added bonus; you'll keep the tang police away!

 

[trey the salt]

go big or go home

 

[fishy7]

I started with a 215 and glad I did. Do your research and you will be fine.
SWT are a lot of work and money but it is by far the best hobby that I have ever had.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by FISHY7
I started with a 215 and glad I did. Do your research and you will be fine.
SWT are a lot of work and money but it is by far the best hobby that I have ever had.

I'm glad we're all so concerned about someone else's money; but have you ever seen a post on this site that said " Gee, I wish I had a SMALLER tank!"?

 

[maxalmon]

No...