Suggestions on first tank

[Ccarroll57]

As a newbie, I am tempted to look at the Red Sea Max All in one options for my first tank. I'm not sure if this is the best way to go and am looking for input. I have been checking on used systems and can probably save a good chunk of money going that route but I'm a little nervous as I am not entirely sure of everything I should get and how everything works.

Any suggestions? Is an All in one a good way to start?

[mbd521]

just to make sure you know, I am currently quarantining my first SW fish..
my advice would be to look on Craigslist for used equipment and find a local reef club, I coulda saved a boatload of money..
anyways I haven't really looked into all in one systems but I believe they are usually smaller, like 30 gal or less... I am assuming that you are new to the hobby, like myself, and all of the advise I got said go bigger!!! the biggest you can afford!!! a big part of the reasoning us because the smaller tanks are harder to maintain stable water conditions. a small amount of water evaporates and your salinity and pH and other stuff get all out of sorts, this could/will be harmful to the livestock you decide to purchase! the bigger the tank the more stable the water parameters. I've been told that 40 gal breeder or bigger is the best for noobs like myself. personally I chose a 55, wish o a tally could have home bigger like 75 or 90 gal.


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[nanito]

My suggestion is ........ Go for the biggest that you can afford !!! All in one are good, but there is nothing like having a sump.

[cmantis]

I second what was said about looking used. I have been very lucky going that route. Plus I get some good knowledge and experience about the equipment from the person selling it and then come on here to double check and continue learning.

[Leftcoaster71]

Buy used. I have a JBJ Nano 28g HQI that I purchased new. For what I spent brand new, I could have easily gotten a 80-100g tank off of Craigslist and had money left over.
I'm currently in the process of upgrading to an 80g tank and I think of it as "If I knew then what I know now..."

[Drew707]

I would say go tank for a sump but if u do go red sea go BIG off the bat..once u go reef u will wanna upgrade later Lol..always plan ahead ;) my 2¢

[sponger0]

Red Sea Max are very high priced. You can get something for alot less.

Also dont go with as big as you can afford. Go as big as your WILLING to spend. I never recommend someone new to go spenda grandose amount of money, not knowing if they will stay in the hobby or not. Spend, what you are comfortable spending.

On average, a new setup with cost about $35 per gallon.

[mbd521]

Also dont go with as big as you can afford. Go as big as your WILLING to spend. I never recommend someone new to go spenda grandose amount of money, not knowing if they will stay in the hobby or not. Spend, what you are comfortable spending.


Hadn't actually thought about that but it is definately better advice than go as big as you can afford.

[Ccarroll57]

I think I am going to go used. It seems like I get can what I want at a much lower price. I am always leery about used but if I have to replace a few things, I'll still be way ahead with the cost.

[sponger0]

Hadn't actually thought about that but it is definately better advice than go as big as you can afford.

Everyone tells people entering the hobby to go big as you can afford. I actually have problem with this. Go on CL. Look at all the tanks on there in a months period of time. Most that I see are dont have time or the tank looks horrible, or they put a lionfish, panther grouper and sailfin tang in a 33 gallon and realize they arent going to be happy.

Or they spend all this money and realize it isnt setup properly and just too much.

For me, starting out with a Biocube 29 was perfect. It was small, I learned alot quickly and made me very proficient in water husbandry on the 40 breeder I have now.

But craigslist is a good way to go....even if you are building from scratch and can find a used tank cheap.

[rogermccray]

Everyone tells people entering the hobby to go big as you can afford. I actually have problem with this. Go on CL. Look at all the tanks on there in a months period of time. Most that I see are dont have time or the tank looks horrible, or they put a lionfish, panther grouper and sailfin tang in a 33 gallon and realize they arent going to be happy.

Or they spend all this money and realize it isnt setup properly and just too much.

For me, starting out with a Biocube 29 was perfect. It was small, I learned alot quickly and made me very proficient in water husbandry on the 40 breeder I have now.

But craigslist is a good way to go....even if you are building from scratch and can find a used tank cheap.

I completely agree with this, I started with a 205 gallon tank and wish i had started with something like a 40. Have you thought about waiting until petco has the $1 a gallon sale and picking up a 40 gallon or a 55 gallon (I'm not a huge fan of the dimensions on this on but a lot of people have great success with them)

If you wait until the $1 a gallon sale, not only do you get cheap but you get new as well and you don't have to worry about how the tank was treated in the past or if there are issues with silicone and things like that.

Forty or fifty-five is big enough where you don't have to be insanely precise when working on your water husbandry and not so big that it is overwhelming.

Just my two cents...