Starting out

centerforc

centerforc

New Member
I am just now starting to investigate into getting a tank and making a Reef Aquarium. For a beginner that knows nothing, lol, I am looking for suggestions and information to help me out. I don't know if I should start with a small tank (around 20 gal.) or with a larger tank (around 75 gal.). All opinions and information is greatly appreciated.
Thaks
Tony
 
miaheatlvr

miaheatlvr

Active Member
Originally Posted by Centerforc
I am just now starting to investigate into getting a tank and making a Reef Aquarium. For a beginner that knows nothing, lol, I am looking for suggestions and information to help me out. I don't know if I should start with a small tank (around 20 gal.) or with a larger tank (around 75 gal.). All opinions and information is greatly appreciated.
Thaks
Tony
Get a nano-tank, evertyhing Inclusive! Its a good started tank, Then have you local fish store help you with your set-up
 
hatessushi

hatessushi

Active Member
Go with the largest tank you can. that way the water parameters change much slower. You will find the tank much easier to take care of.
 
debbie

debbie

Active Member
I would also sugget the larger tank. I started out with a 10 gal nano, then moved to my 25 gal. But with the larger tank you will be able to have alot more different fish etc. With the smaller tanks you are pretty much limited.
Do lots of research here before jumping in as to what you "would like to have" and that should pretty much tell you the size of tank you should be looking for.
 
xdave

xdave

Active Member
I'll go with Debbie on this one. It's a lot more fun than getting a tank then finding out none of the livestock you like will fit in it.
 
poniegirl

poniegirl

Active Member
It depends a lot on your life-style, Tony, and what exactly you want the end result to be.
If your are rarely home, need a flexible maintenance routine, oddly enough, I would say go large. You have more time between routine maintenances and a larger margin for the tank tolerating small owner errors.
The smaller tanks require more consistent, precise care, generally speaking.
They are both equally beautiful, with great options for coral and livestock in both.
 
gen1dustin

gen1dustin

Member
Here is my deal, I don't say go with a nano. Though they can be great & some people have great luck with them, it is easier for something to go wrong & less room for error. However I don't say go as big as you can get. Well this might just get you in over your head with everything. A bigger tank does require more money & more work.
I recommend getting something that you are comfortable with & have enough cash to do so. I'm not going to lie marine tanks, especially reefs can be expensive. Also the space in your house. I would say go for 30-75 gallons. 55 is right on the dot IMO. A lot can go in there, but it isn't overly huge.
Next thing I would highly recommend reading a book on saltwater aquariums. It helped me out a good deal. There is plenty of good ones out there, just try to get a newer one as the technical stuff has changed over the years. I read saltwater aquariums for dummies which was extremely easy to read & skip to certain parts I wanted to read. There is just to many things to be asked & answered over the net so that is why I recommend a book & anyother questions you have ask them to others a forum or soemthing. Also remember a lot of times LFS will give false info.
 
cymbal67

cymbal67

Member
i am in the same boat you are in. brand new to hobby...dont know much, although you can learn a lot from reading these boards. a good one is the "what did you wish you knew". i started out with a big tank, i heard water volume is good to have. in fact it was just delivered today...118g corner predrilled with stand and canopy. i am having a coral store come over and messure the inside of stand so they can make a refugium for it. they are also checking out what all came with tank so they know what i have and what i still need. i am going all out, i dont want my equipment to limit what i can do. i have a feeling its gonna be expensive, but i feel well worth it. i hope to get some pics up along the way to show progress.
 
marinebgnr

marinebgnr

Member
Originally Posted by MiaHeatLvr
Get a nano-tank, evertyhing Inclusive! Its a good started tank, Then have you local fish store help you with your set-up
hi im starting 20 gallon reeef what should i obtain to become succesful i have 20 lbs of lr a poowerhead and a bio wheeel
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
i started with a 20 gal fowlr. you may need some powerheads and a heater as well, some live sand probably as well. unfortunately going small means you still have to buy the equipment for larger tanks, since most manufacturers dont really make the equipment for smaller tanks. so the only price difference you may see is in the actual size of the tank.
 
cymbal67

cymbal67

Member
i just measured the inside of my 118g corner and i am pretty limited to the size of refugium i can put in there. this is THE ONLY spot my wife wouldnt freak out if i put a tank in, so i was stuck with corner. what min size refugium should work well on a 118g tank? i think i can get away with 30 inch by 14 inch. height wont be an issue. i was thinking of going high, but not sure what good that would do.
 
engineer

engineer

Member
I am with the vast majority, I have read and always been told go with the bigest you can afford(with all accessories)! With a Reef tank you will need MH lighting(which is a shade more expensive) than ordinary lighting.
 
cymbal67

cymbal67

Member
i am ready to sink a good bit of cash into this, from what i hear it could be 4 to 6k to get a real sweet setup. i spent $1350 just on the tank, stand and canopy. it did come with plumbing, a make you own sump/refuge kit and some other stuff. but it looks great. now on to the rest of the stuff.
 
S

sea_star

Guest
I'm going to agree with everyone else above and suggest you start with a big tank. At least 55 gallons. It will be easier to keep the water parameters stable, plus you will be able to have more fish (always a plus IMO). I started with a 72gal and I'm glad I didn't get anything smaller.
 
blizz75

blizz75

Member
what ever you do dont get a 55g! that 13" width sucks. Youll beat yourself up later
I say go with the 75g. Im just setting one up and its a fun size
 
gen1dustin

gen1dustin

Member
Originally Posted by blizz75
what ever you do dont get a 55g! that 13" width sucks. Youll beat yourself up later
I say go with the 75g. Im just setting one up and its a fun size
You got a point there, I was handed down a standard 55g from my brother, but if I were to buy a new tank I'd either get an irregular shaped 55 or a 75
 
cannonman

cannonman

Member
I think the bases have been pretty well covered here... all I have to say is I've never heard of anybody that started with a medium or large tank say "man, I need to down size, this one is too big"
but I've heard a lot of people say "wish I would have started with a bigger tank, now I have to upgrade".
***)
 
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