Tank size?

[Iconz]

I'm just, JUST getting started, and am curious, can you have too small of a tank? Do you all reccommend a smaller tank (30g) over a larger one (75+g) to start out with? Is a smaller tank harder to get going than a larger one?

Thanks in advance,
-Iconz

[Fatman]

Small tanks do not allow much margin of error since theres less water to compensate for mistakes compared to larger tanks. I started with a 55 and I thought that was a bit small. The saying goes "Buy the biggest tank you can afford", I personally do not like the hassle and care of big tanks (or mainly tall tanks where you cant reach the bottom). Good sizes from my understanding are 55 to 75 to 90 and maybe even a 120. Between the sump and refugium if you add one you'll have alot of water to compensate for newbie errors and still have a nice showcase of a tank.

[perpetual98]

^^^ Pretty much sums it up.

That being said, I don't like 55G tanks because they're so narrow front-to-back. 75's and 90's are nice for the aquascaping aspect. (That coming from a guy with two 120G tanks in his living room. :) )

[Iconz]

K. That makes sence. Man, sooo much to take in. :) As much as I'd like to just go buy everything, I'm gonna refrain and wait til I have an idea of what I'm doing.

Thanks again.

-IC

[graphixx]

you have got the right idea, dont jump into this..... research and find what suits you best. and buy the best you can. if not your gonna end up upgrading down the road. this hobby is very very addicting.
as for tank size yes as stated above bigger is better. if you go tooo small you will end up regretting it or just getting a bigger tank (I know I have upgraded 3 times in the past 2 years, I am in the process of setting up a 400 gallon right now)
But as everyone will say on here..........just take your time and dont be afraid to ask for help.

[Iconz]

Yeah, i'm following your 400gal project! I'm interrested to see how it comes out. I've got a LIST of questions, but I think that I'm gonna try to get knowlegeable on each topic 1 at a time. IE: Tanks, lighting, filtration, fish, coral, water, etc... (not nessicarily in that order). Thanks.

[lReef lKeeper]

as usual i agree with everyone else ... BIGGER is BETTER !! especially when just starting out. i also have upgrade a couple of times in the 2 years that i have been into the hobby. ( 29gal. reef to 55gal. reef to 125gal. reef) and i am looking for more tanks !! i must be out of my mind !!
if i would have listened to people when i started i would have gotten the biggest tank possible, the metal halides, and the best skimmer around ... WHEN I STARTED !!

[Sweetpea]

Just an idea to help you decide what size tank you might want- have you thought about the types of fish you may want to keep? That can really help point you in the right direction when deciding on a tank size...

[Iconz]

Sweetpea, Well to be honest, I honestly don't know too much as to what I have to choose from. I like the look of clowns. But, I haven't done enough reading on them to decide if they're compatabile (sp?) with other fish. You all are gonna hafta forgive me, because I literally know nothing. Except that I love the look of coral aquariums, and the fish that come along with them. I'm thinking I'll have to start with a 75gal (100 max) due to somewhat limited funding at the moment. I'll go do some looking around at the fish, and try to get an idea of where to start. I think its best to start some very hardy fish at first, is that correct? Thanks a ton to all of you, plz have the patience with me, I catch on to things fast.

[RHAPALA]

I'M RIGHT THERE WITH YA ON THE FUNDING ISSUE THE BEST PART IS IF YER MARRIED GET HER IN ON IT AND IF YA GOT KIDS EVEN BETTER I KEPT TELLING MY WIFE ITS ALL FOR MY DAUGHTER SHE WAS ONLY GONNA LET ME DO A 30 GAL BUT WITH A LIL TALKING TOO I'M BUILDING A 75 GAL WITH A 30 GAL SUMP ALSO I HAVE ONLY BEEN UP AND RUNNING FOR 5 DAYS NOW ITS GREAT SOFAR I'M LOOKING AT THE 30 GAL EVERYDAY ONLY CUZ I DONT HAVE THAT 75 YET ITS COMMING I HOPE ITS HERE BY FRIDAY

[Iconz]

sweet rhapala, i was reading your "wanna be a saltwater...." thread earlier today. I took some notes from it! Good luck to ya! Yeah, I'm tryin to get my wife in on it. She's a photographer, so I sold her on "being able to take pictures of it"... It worked pretty well. We'll see how it goes. Mind if I ask how much that 75 gal set u back? I understand if ya do. I'm tryin to also get an idea of how much $$ I'll be spending on just getting started. Heh.

[Iconz]

Just an idea to help you decide what size tank you might want- have you thought about the types of fish you may want to keep? That can really help point you in the right direction when deciding on a tank size...

Well, I think you can add butterfiles to the list. They're compatabile w/ clowns, and very vibrant (which is really what I'm looking for). I want a very vibrantly colored tank when its all said and done. Any other sugguestions for me fish wise?

[RHAPALA]

WELL THE WHOLE SET UP TANK STAND HEATERS , FILTER, 30 LBS OF SUGAR SIZED ARAGAMAX THAT SET UP AROUND 478.00 THAT DONT INCLUDE THE REST OF THE ITEMS I NEED TO PICK UP SKIMMER SUMP PUMP MORE LIVE ROCK WHOSET UP IBELIVE IS ABOUT 800.00 NOT MIND YA YA DONT NEED TO GET IT ALL AT ONCE

[Iconz]

Sweet! Thanks Rhapala! BTW, Check out my other thread I've kinda got going under the References and Articles Forum. I found what I think may be a good guide that I posted a link to in there. I'm waiting from some verification from the community here on that though. Its very detailed and looks credible, but what do I know? :)

http://www.captivereefing.com/showthread.php?t=3976

[Fatman]

If you know your size (75) which is a good size ( i wish I would have done that) then you should already start planning on paper what you need to set up. That way your cycle (where bacteria is created and amonia and nitrites usually spike), will not seem so long. Start looking on good deals on a

Tank
Stand (unless your a handy man and can make one).
Sump/Refuium
Skimmer
Live rock around 60 to 75 lbs (everyone has their opinion on this).
Plumbing and Pump for your tank. (I personally like the MAG Drive pumps)
Live Sand (Research Deep Sand Bed, Shallow Sand Bed, and No Sand Bed)

And If Im missing anything anyone else will chip in.

[jojo22]

If your doing a sump/refuge (which I suggest) read everything you can on plumbing then ask all the questions you need to before you start. And yes there will be questions no matter how much you read so feel more than free to ask.

[Iconz]

If you know your size (75) which is a good size ( i wish I would have done that) then you should already start planning on paper what you need to set up. That way your cycle (where bacteria is created and amonia and nitrites usually spike), will not seem so long. Start looking on good deals on a

Tank
Stand (unless your a handy man and can make one).
Sump/Refuium
Skimmer
Live rock around 60 to 75 lbs (everyone has their opinion on this).
Plumbing and Pump for your tank. (I personally like the MAG Drive pumps)
Live Sand (Research Deep Sand Bed, Shallow Sand Bed, and No Sand Bed)

And If Im missing anything anyone else will chip in.


K, what would you consider a deal on a tank? And, also, are there different "grades" quality? I know some people say don't use anything below All-Glass. While others say "just don't get tempered (b/c of drilling)".

Do you order them online? Do you buy them at your LFS? Is there a problem with buying a used one? Do you all make them yourselves?

I'll make my own stand, that won't be an issue. I'm pretty crafty.

[Fatman]

Theres two types of tanks acrylic and glass.

Nearly all glass tanks are tempered at the bottom (for improved strength) so thats why they normally come pre-drilled.
Acrylic is more expensive and I honestly have little experience and knowledge on it.

Its possible to make your own glass or acrylic aquarium but from what i understand its tough.

I bought mine at a local pet store, that had good deals on them. Local Fish stores will usually be a bit more expensive for hardware.

I see no problem in buying a used tank as long as its cleaned extremely well (depending what was in it before) and it has no cracks.

Heres also a good thread from Reef Central on starting up a tank.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=912378

[Iconz]

great! thanks again

edit: by the way, i'll be going w/ glass on the tank.

[Iconz]

Alright, Next question... Is it possible to build my stand to where it holds all of my other tanks inside it? Sump, refuge, skimmer, and QT? Also, what size of each will be the least that I will need? Does tank shape matter on these?

Thx.
-Iconz

[RHAPALA]

WELP AS I AM STILL NEW TO SALTWATER TANKS TOO MY ANSWER IS YES.... ALSO AND PLZ SOMEONE SLAP ME IF I GET THIS WRONG MY UNDERSTANDING IS IF YA GO THE WAY OF REFUGE YOU DONT NEED TO DO THE SUMP SEEING THAT THE REFUGE WILL KINDA DO THE SAME FOR YAS AGAIN IF I'M WRONG JUST SLAP ME IT WILL SINK IN SOONER OR LATER :p

[Iconz]

Another question!... IF i do have to move, say 5+ months after i get everything setup, will i have to get new sand/rocks? or anything else for that matter, or will it be reuseable?

[perpetual98]

You can reuse it. You may have a small cycle again when you get the tank back up, but it shouldn't be too bad.

[Iconz]

Great! That's what I was hoping for.

Thx!