What was your first reef?

Patricklong · 06/25/2012, 11:10 PM

I am new to all of this and have seen/read so many DIFFERENT ideas of what is a good "noob" tank, and what is a MANAGEABLE "noob" tank.

So I ask you super experts here, what was your FIRST tank?

Would you recommend your first tank? If not, what would you do different?

Pat

TX..r33f · 06/25/2012, 11:19 PM

I good "noob" tank is 40g breeder or bigger 75-90. i say this because the bigger the tank the more you can mess up on. Lets say you have a 4gallon tank well if you dose more then you should of ""whatever" it has a bigger impact. Because their isnt alot of water valume. Also it is usally harder to keep water par: stable in a smaller tank. Sure a bigger tank is going to cost more ,but i think you will end up likeing having a bigger tank.

Patricklong · 06/25/2012, 11:39 PM

I hear that, have heard that small tanks are related to very very nice sports cars....one small move equals BIG results. That I completely understand and agree with.

Meshmez · 06/25/2012, 11:39 PM

I agree with the above. If you want a "smaller" tank go with the 40 breeder. If you want a bigger go with a 75 or 90 (or 120 if you have the room)

Skip on a 55g... I did that as my first tank, they are way too narrow, its night and day what you can do with the 18" of a 75 or 90 as opposed to 12" in a 55...

bebangs · 06/26/2012, 01:41 AM

i've setup a 20-30g quarantine tank, and I like it more than the un-setup 75g tank.

i've learning a lot on my quarantine tank! Cheaper mistakes was all worthit. I've actually did spent a lot of time in research and I still make mistakes. "Learn by experience" is so far the best teacher for me.

Ron Reefman · 06/26/2012, 05:50 AM

I started with 30g reef. It wasn't that hard as long as you don't try to do difficult animals. I had zoa, palys and softies. But I grew to wanting more pretty quickly (like a year). I got a 75g and the 30g became a sump. The 75 was good and I'd say that can be a good starter tank if money isn't an issue. The best tip I can pass along is: I bought all of my 1st system new and had $1600+ into a 30g tank (not counting fish and coral). I now have the system listed in my sig below and bought everything but the chiller used. I don't have $3500 in it. A bit more than double the cost, but 11 or 12 times the water volume! Shop used on Craigslist and find your local club, they can be a huge help if you ask for it. Look for one here if you aren't already involved in one:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=80

sponger0 · 06/26/2012, 06:29 AM

My first tank was a Biocube 29. Its not as difficult as people think. If you dont mind spending the extra for a few thinks to make it easier, such as an Ato. If I would have gotten that, I think it would still be running.

I had also upgraded the lights and skimmer. Worked great. Had SPS growing, softies and LPS. And an anemone.

shovelrider · 06/26/2012, 07:28 AM

My first reef tank is the one I still have! I have had a 45g tall for 5 years and almost everything has been bought second hand or traded for. Most of my corals have been grown from frags that where acquired in the same way. I started with softies then upgraded my lights and took on SPS, although softies are still my favorites. I think if I was to buy another it would be more square shaped, to be able to stack rocks in the center without touching any glass.

I agree with taking it slow and growing hardy corals and fish until you get good growth and results. This hobby is a constant learning process and if you take your time and put in the research and effort, the reward is great.

Good luck and welcome aboard!

Boonjob · 06/26/2012, 07:39 AM

My first tank was a 50g show tank.... worst tank ever... it was super narrow and very tall total waist.

I would totally agree with the above post of a 40g breeder... what a perfect tank.... other options would be a 75 or a 29 whether bio cube or not... 29's are fun lottle adventures that arent bad to maintain like other smaller systems.... and 75 is great cause it give you that room to explore and the stability of a larger tank.... it will really help you determine if you want to invest in smaller or larger, all while keeping you feet wet....

06/25/2012, 11:10 PM	#1
Patricklong Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Cypress TX Posts: 225	What was your first reef? I am new to all of this and have seen/read so many DIFFERENT ideas of what is a good "noob" tank, and what is a MANAGEABLE "noob" tank. So I ask you super experts here, what was your FIRST tank? Would you recommend your first tank? If not, what would you do different? Pat

06/26/2012, 05:50 AM	#6
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 3,653	I started with 30g reef. It wasn't that hard as long as you don't try to do difficult animals. I had zoa, palys and softies. But I grew to wanting more pretty quickly (like a year). I got a 75g and the 30g became a sump. The 75 was good and I'd say that can be a good starter tank if money isn't an issue. The best tip I can pass along is: I bought all of my 1st system new and had $1600+ into a 30g tank (not counting fish and coral). I now have the system listed in my sig below and bought everything but the chiller used. I don't have $3500 in it. A bit more than double the cost, but 11 or 12 times the water volume! Shop used on Craigslist and find your local club, they can be a huge help if you ask for it. Look for one here if you aren't already involved in one: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=80 __________________ 180g DT, 200 lbs LR, 2 EG IT2080 leds 70g nem tank, 1 EG IT2040 led 150g sump/refugium with cheap Chinese led, AquaMedic 5000 Shorty skimmer, DIY nitrate reactor, 2400gph Reeflo & OM4 CL, 3200gph su

06/25/2012, 11:19 PM	#2
TX..r33f Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Houston Tx :) Posts: 541	I good "noob" tank is 40g breeder or bigger 75-90. i say this because the bigger the tank the more you can mess up on. Lets say you have a 4gallon tank well if you dose more then you should of ""whatever" it has a bigger impact. Because their isnt alot of water valume. Also it is usally harder to keep water par: stable in a smaller tank. Sure a bigger tank is going to cost more ,but i think you will end up likeing having a bigger tank.

06/25/2012, 11:39 PM	#3
Patricklong Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Cypress TX Posts: 225	I hear that, have heard that small tanks are related to very very nice sports cars....one small move equals BIG results. That I completely understand and agree with.

06/25/2012, 11:39 PM	#4
Meshmez Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 645	I agree with the above. If you want a "smaller" tank go with the 40 breeder. If you want a bigger go with a 75 or 90 (or 120 if you have the room) Skip on a 55g... I did that as my first tank, they are way too narrow, its night and day what you can do with the 18" of a 75 or 90 as opposed to 12" in a 55...

06/26/2012, 01:41 AM	#5
bebangs Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 110	i've setup a 20-30g quarantine tank, and I like it more than the un-setup 75g tank. i've learning a lot on my quarantine tank! Cheaper mistakes was all worthit. I've actually did spent a lot of time in research and I still make mistakes. "Learn by experience" is so far the best teacher for me.

06/26/2012, 06:29 AM	#7
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,016	My first tank was a Biocube 29. Its not as difficult as people think. If you dont mind spending the extra for a few thinks to make it easier, such as an Ato. If I would have gotten that, I think it would still be running. I had also upgraded the lights and skimmer. Worked great. Had SPS growing, softies and LPS. And an anemone.

06/26/2012, 07:28 AM	#8
shovelrider Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Harvest,AL Posts: 132	My first reef tank is the one I still have! I have had a 45g tall for 5 years and almost everything has been bought second hand or traded for. Most of my corals have been grown from frags that where acquired in the same way. I started with softies then upgraded my lights and took on SPS, although softies are still my favorites. I think if I was to buy another it would be more square shaped, to be able to stack rocks in the center without touching any glass. I agree with taking it slow and growing hardy corals and fish until you get good growth and results. This hobby is a constant learning process and if you take your time and put in the research and effort, the reward is great. Good luck and welcome aboard!

06/26/2012, 07:39 AM	#9
Boonjob Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 22	My first tank was a 50g show tank.... worst tank ever... it was super narrow and very tall total waist. I would totally agree with the above post of a 40g breeder... what a perfect tank.... other options would be a 75 or a 29 whether bio cube or not... 29's are fun lottle adventures that arent bad to maintain like other smaller systems.... and 75 is great cause it give you that room to explore and the stability of a larger tank.... it will really help you determine if you want to invest in smaller or larger, all while keeping you feet wet....