View Full Version : tank size
reef17
06/06/2011, 07:48 PM
from your past knowledge what do you think is the best tank size for beginners?
:bounce2::bounce1::bounce2:
rad1687
06/06/2011, 07:50 PM
The bigger the better, just figure out the budget you are working with and make sure that you can afford quality equipment that will support what ever type of tank you wish to run. Good luck, and spend lots of time research! This website is an amazingly helpful tool.
Lynnmw1208
06/06/2011, 07:52 PM
seems like a lot of people do well with 75 gallons or 90 gallons. again, the bigger the better if you can fit it and afford it. The more gallons you have the more stable your water parameters will be.
dzfish17
06/06/2011, 08:05 PM
In Bob Fenners book (The Conscientious Marine Aquarist) he suggests a 40/50g tank for a beginner and I agree... big enough to keep water stable but not too big. After you get your feet wet for a year or so you can upgrade to a bigger system. This way you can decide if the hobby is right for you.
pmrossetti
06/06/2011, 08:08 PM
agree, a 55gal is a great starter tank.
GrampaDon
06/06/2011, 08:18 PM
My vote is for the 75-90gal.
bandr1002
06/06/2011, 10:46 PM
i started with a 55, and moved up to a 90. here is y....
the 55 gal tank did not have enough depth to it to really get the rock looking the way i wanted, where as the 90 is the same width but deeper. it really does depend on you though. I would say don't go any smaller than a 55 just for the grace it will allow with water parameters. as opposed to a 20 gal tank. If you know that you are going to be in this hobby for life, well then i would def say bigger is better.
the down side to smaller tanks are as follows....
water parameters flux way too easily
limit yourself as to what you can get fish wise
sps corals grow fast and will not do to good in a smaller tank
once you finish with a small build you will want to upgrade anyway, lol
I say save your money and spend more right out the gate, lol
TellyFish
06/06/2011, 10:55 PM
If I could start again, I would do a drilled 40g breeder with another 40g breeder for the sump. A Herbie overflow + Enheim return pump. IMHO, that setup would keep just about anyone busy for at least a while.
duncantse
06/06/2011, 11:28 PM
IMO, I dont think a small tanks parameters fluctuate that much. With proper stocking of fish and feeding, a nano tank will be a good start.
bandr1002
06/07/2011, 04:20 PM
IMO, I dont think a small tanks parameters fluctuate that much. With proper stocking of fish and feeding, a nano tank will be a good start.
lets assume one does stay ontop of the evaporation, then yes you would be correct. however one with a nano sized tank still limits one self as to the live stock that could be put into the tank.
If you want a tank because you just love anemones and or tangs for instance, well then a nano would not really be the right choice for you.
the question of "what is a good begginer tank?" is really a question that depends on what you are looking at as far as live stock.
saltydogs
06/07/2011, 04:29 PM
75 is a great tank to start with.
geccles
06/07/2011, 04:55 PM
I agree w/ the 75 or 90 suggestions. A nano has plusses as well - you can get in at a lower price point and gain experience. I'd do a 20H or 40B if you go the nano route.
cwbhawk
06/07/2011, 04:56 PM
Started with a 29, then upgraded to a 55, and I still wanna go bigger! I really can't because of my budget... but i'd say anything of over 29 gallons would be a good size to start! :)
Phishguy
06/07/2011, 05:12 PM
I think 75 is perfect. Rockwork is annoying in a 55 and more water usually equals better parameters. I started with 55, then soon to 75, then to 120 and I have a 210 now that I'm accumulating parts and equipment for.. Doesn't matter what size you start with. You will want bigger soon enough... Good luck
Qtip760
06/07/2011, 05:30 PM
IMO, I dont think a small tanks parameters fluctuate that much. With proper stocking of fish and feeding, a nano tank will be a good start.
Every first timer overstocks.
tspors
06/07/2011, 07:29 PM
Here is a different way to look at it. It will cost you between $35-$50 per gallon to a complete running system. So do your math..... and here is the question, What size can you afford?
tyler3276
06/07/2011, 07:41 PM
do a 55g
Dr Colliebreath
06/07/2011, 08:55 PM
I am with the 75-90 group because you will be able to add more livestock than a 55, and you quickly will want more.
SarahE
06/07/2011, 09:07 PM
Every first timer overstocks.
I'm still pretty new to this hobby. I'm trying to be careful about overstocking, but my biggest question is how does a first timer know how stocked is overstocked? Do you just have to make enough mistakes to figure it out? I'm not really sure I like that option, but at the same time, I don't want to constantly nag more experienced people with "I have X, X, and X in a X gallon tank. Is that too much?" How can I be sure? What if I think I'm ok now, how do I know if I can add something?
funkejj
06/08/2011, 04:20 PM
We started out with a 29 that lasted 3 months. We upgraded to a 180 and are sorta happy. I am looking at ordering something around 500 now.
duncantse
06/08/2011, 06:49 PM
I'm still pretty new to this hobby. I'm trying to be careful about overstocking, but my biggest question is how does a first timer know how stocked is overstocked? Do you just have to make enough mistakes to figure it out? I'm not really sure I like that option, but at the same time, I don't want to constantly nag more experienced people with "I have X, X, and X in a X gallon tank. Is that too much?" How can I be sure? What if I think I'm ok now, how do I know if I can add something?
Just post a thread about what fish you want and how big is your tank, then after a few minutes, experienced reefers will tell you if it's okay or not.
thebkramer
06/08/2011, 06:52 PM
at the same time, I don't want to constantly nag more experienced people with "I have X, X, and X in a X gallon tank. Is that too much?" How can I be sure? What if I think I'm ok now, how do I know if I can add something?
ASK AWAY!!! theres noooo such thing as nagging here!!!
Thats what New to Hobby is for !!! :bounce3:
to have personal attention for all you reefing needs!!!
WELCOME TO THE RC FAMILY!!!! :spin1:
BTW.. stay away from the 55g! I wish I had!! There is limited space in the width and gets very frustrating!! :lol2:
ibefishy
06/08/2011, 07:46 PM
I think it depends on what you are looking to accomplish as far as a tank goes. If you want softies and LPS or if you want a full blown SPS tank or if you want to try a mixed reef tank. I would start with at least a 55g tank. Get it set up and work with it for a few years before taking the next step to a larger tank. True a 55 is limited on space a little but they do make for a very enjoyable tank. They make really good softie tanks, and watching soft corals sway in the current can be mesmorizing. In the end it all comes down to budget and how much you think you are going to enjoy the hobby. And which ever size you go with DONT BUY CHEAP EQUIPMENT you will end up buying the quality stuff anyway so save the money, and ask before you purchase, many on here have had it, and or researched it before. HTH
Mr.Tan
06/08/2011, 08:09 PM
Im starting out with a 29 gallon tank. Mainly because I already had it from my previous freshwater setup, but also due to knowledge and budget. I wanted something that will allow me to start getting into the saltwater world, not completely break my bank, and again let me learn so that when I can upgrade to something bigger i know what to look for and how to go about doing it. I say within the next year i will most likely upgrade to a 75 gallon atleast, i just need to find the space for it!
sponger0
06/08/2011, 08:38 PM
I started out with my Biocube 29 and think its a great way to start. Lots of options and small enough and minimal cost to learn the hobby before putting a really large investment into something until you are ready to commit to something larger. I have had my biocube for only 2 months but I love it. But I will confess I have a 75 in process of being built.
It was easier for me to learn everything. But I would say depends on how much your willing to spend with your first tank
willy0508
06/08/2011, 08:43 PM
Im starting out with a 29 gallon tank. Mainly because I already had it from my previous freshwater setup, but also due to knowledge and budget. I wanted something that will allow me to start getting into the saltwater world, not completely break my bank, and again let me learn so that when I can upgrade to something bigger i know what to look for and how to go about doing it. I say within the next year i will most likely upgrade to a 75 gallon atleast, i just need to find the space for it!
+1 Exactly what I did. And once I get the room to go bigger. Anything in the 29 will go in it and I'll use it as a sump...maybe. Then again I may keep it as a small reef with just my clowns.
Qtip760
06/08/2011, 08:49 PM
40b
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