Tank Size Question

erk419

erk419

New Member
I'm new to the thread not new to fishkeeping but new to saltwater. I really want to start a reef tank with fish and I've been reading different articles including the stickys on here. I'm in the process of starting a list of everything I will need and decided to start with the most important part and that’s the tank. Right now I have 5 tanks running that are all freshwater. I have a 75, 55, two 30's and a 29. My question is what would be a good size tank for a beginner. I know everyone says bigger is better and get the biggest one you have room for and can afford. But like I said I already have 5 tanks running so for now a 55 or 75 I just don't think I'll have room for. Now I figure that one with a bigger foot print would be better then one that has height. So in saying that I would figure a 30 long would be better then a 29. At first I wanted a nano mainly because it comes with a lot of things. After doing some reading I found out that nanos are not recommended for beginners because of the size. So basically what I'm asking is what would be one of the smallest recommended tank size for a beginner.
 
zshain012

zshain012

Member
yeah, I heard the bigger the better. I'm a begginner and I started out with a 8gallon Biocube. I've had it for a month now and it's doing great. I just do weekly water changes.
 
puffy_fish

puffy_fish

Member
I started with a 25 Gallon Tank. When I moved I bought a 175 gallon and I am in the process of setting it up. Get the biggest tank you can afford. At least for me, I couldn't do what I wanted to with a small tank. With a larger tank you can keep tangs and other fish that need swimming room.
 
veni vidi vici

veni vidi vici

Active Member
It is true that bigger tanks are easier to maintain,but i don't see why you cant do a 29g biocube.Just start off slow.Regular maintenance schedule is the key.Water changes and keeping an eye on your water parameters.Its not as hard as some make it out to be,there is just a smaller margin for error or lax in maintenance.Start off with the basics, hardy coral and fish and then with time work your way up the ladder.
BTW Welcome to SWF.com
 
zshain012

zshain012

Member
Originally Posted by Veni Vidi Vici
http:///forum/post/2853943
It is true that bigger tanks are easier to maintain,but i don't see why you cant do a 29g biocube.Just start off slow.Regular maintenance schedule is the key.Water changes and keeping an eye on your water parameters.Its not as hard as some make it out to be,there is just a smaller margin for error or lax in maintenance.Start off with the basics, hardy coral and fish and then with time work your way up the ladder.
BTW Welcome to SWF.com
awesome advice VVV
 
erk419

erk419

New Member
Originally Posted by Veni Vidi Vici
http:///forum/post/2853943
It is true that bigger tanks are easier to maintain,but i don't see why you cant do a 29g biocube.Just start off slow.Regular maintenance schedule is the key.Water changes and keeping an eye on your water parameters.Its not as hard as some make it out to be,there is just a smaller margin for error or lax in maintenance.Start off with the basics, hardy coral and fish and then with time work your way up the ladder.
BTW Welcome to SWF.com
Thanks for the advice that kind of puts my mind at easy because I was just thinking that a biocube would work out much better with the space I have available. Does the biocube come with all the equipment that I would need? Also is the lighting good enough for coral.
 
maryg

maryg

Member
I also came from the freshy side.
I started SW with a 12 gallon nano. They I got a 29 gallon and a 55 gallon.
The 12g is really cute and a nice system but the frequent water changes can get annoying. I wish I would of started with my 55g.
It is the easiest to keep up with. Less room for error.
 
mboswell1982

mboswell1982

Active Member
yes a biocube should come with everything u need, if your not really worried about price, check into the solana and red sea max biocubes, those seem to be the best biocubes available
 
zshain012

zshain012

Member
yea the Biocubes come with all the basics. "The Oceanic BioCube features high-quality components and can be used for saltwater or freshwater setups. All sizes include integrated wet/dry filtration with dual overflow intakes, two Coralife compact fluorescent lamps, lunar blue LED lights, remote quick-disconnect ballasts, a UL listed submersible pump with adjustable discharge nozzle and dual fans to dissipate heat. " I got that from the Oceanic Systems web site. The lights are good for soft corals but not really hard corals IMO
 
mboswell1982

mboswell1982

Active Member
thats what i was thinking, but i was throwin the red sea out there 2, from what ive read an seen, the solana is one of the top biocubes on the market, correct?
 
veni vidi vici

veni vidi vici

Active Member
Originally Posted by ERK419
http:///forum/post/2853955
Thanks for the advice that kind of puts my mind at easy because I was just thinking that a biocube would work out much better with the space I have available. Does the biocube come with all the equipment that I would need? Also is the lighting good enough for coral.
One thing you would probably want to add is a protein skimmer.I believe the Bio comes with Power Compact lighting and will be good enough to start off with.PC's will support softies like Mushrooms, Zoanthids..... but if and when you start to get addicted and decide you wand to get into SPS ,LPS ...you will have to upgrade lights"T-5 or Metal Halide"
There are all kinds of options on small tanks so do some research first before you make a decision.
 
lkgrenegade22

lkgrenegade22

Member
I had 5 freshwater tanks running with no room mysef and still I started with a 72. Now after a few weeks I have moved some fish and converted one of my 29's into a QT tank. Is there anyway you can convert one of your FW tanks?
 
lkgrenegade22

lkgrenegade22

Member
Originally Posted by Veni Vidi Vici
http:///forum/post/2853978
One thing you would probably want to add is a protein skimmer.I believe the Bio comes with Power Compact lighting and will be good enough to start off with.PC's will support softies like Mushrooms, Zoanthids..... but if and when you start to get addicted and decide you wand to get into SPS ,LPS ...you will have to upgrade lights"T-5 or Metal Halide"
Or if he wants to keep an anemone.
 
erk419

erk419

New Member
Originally Posted by LKGRenegade22
http:///forum/post/2853979
I had 5 freshwater tanks running with no room mysef and still I started with a 72. Now after a few weeks I have moved some fish and converted one of my 29's into a QT tank. Is there anyway you can convert one of your FW tanks?
I've tried that and had aggersion problems. I have a 75 with a oscar and 3 clown loachs, the 30 longs with 1 male green terror a piece they don't get along well with others. Then I have a 55 brackish with 2 columbian sharks and upstairs I have a 29 gallon with 3 small tinfoil barbs waiting on getting a little bigger then there going to the 75.
 
lkgrenegade22

lkgrenegade22

Member
Originally Posted by ERK419
http:///forum/post/2853985
I've tried that and had aggersion problems. I have a 75 with a oscar and 3 clown loachs, the 30 longs with 1 male green terror a piece they don't get along well with others. Then I have a 55 brackish with 2 columbian sharks and upstairs I have a 29 gallon with 3 small tinfoil barbs waiting on getting a little bigger then there going to the 75.
I know the feeling. One of my small oscars went through 2 tanks until he found his little niche. Now he's happy as can be. One of the bigger oscars got beat up in the cichlid tank for all of about 5 minutes before he took charge.
 
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