Choosing the Right Tank

TravelerBob · 03/12/2019, 10:52 AM

Not sure if this is the right forum for my question, but I am trying to find the right "large" tank. I was planning to do a large aquarium in the wall with a fish room behind it. Since I am just getting into the hobby, I thought that this might be pretty daunting and difficult. Instead, my plan is to purchase a large all-in-one or a tank/stand combo. I am considering the Red Sea Reefer 750 which has a combined tank size of 200 gallons including the 40 gal sump. Is this a good option? Are there others that I should be considering? I was really hoping to find something in the 250 - 300 gallon size that comes with a stand and sump. I am definitely open to suggestions here. I will have a small fish room behind the tank, but I am planning to use this more for a mixing station, etc. I really would like to keep the sump/refugium below the tank if possible, but maybe this is not the best option....? Thoughts? Thanks!

Michael Hoaster · 03/13/2019, 01:27 PM

Deciding on a tank size can be challenging, especially when you're new to the hobby. You don't have the experience of having dealt with other tank setups, and you don't know your own aquarium tendencies yet. Here are some thoughts:

If you know where you want to put it, measure out how big a tank would fit there.
Make sure you have easy access to all areas of the tank and it's equipment. If it is hard to do, it won't get done.
You want to have a comfortable place to sit and enjoy your tank. People forget this all the time!
The bigger the tank, the more you have to spend on everything else. More lights, bigger pumps, bigger water changes, etc.
All in one options are great, especially for the less experienced. This frees you to think more about the fun stuff, like fish.

Good luck Bob!

vadajo · 03/15/2019, 09:33 AM

Bob have you ever kept an aquarium before? There are a lot of things about keeping a reef that come up that will annoy you. Its a lot easier to sell a small setup if you dont enjoy the hobby later down the road. Something to consider.

Prairie Reef · 03/18/2019, 07:06 AM

All in one maybe the best option; however, i can speak from experience that there are just a ton of unknowns you haven’t considered until you’ve “hands on” done water changes, worked on the sump, and even just thought about traffic in the house and where you spend time with the rest of the family. A tank even the size of the Red Sea can easily start to feel like an unwelcome guest and a chore unless the regular maintenance is carefully considered.

1 check your electrical circuits. On a tank this size dedicated breakers aren’t uncommon

2 make sure there is a drain nearby that’s low enough for a siphon.

3 plan for the need to access the back and sides of the tank carefully.

4. Check videos on “bucketless water changes”

5. Have a plan to be able to reach the bottom or walls to scrape/clean.

ManhattanReef · 03/18/2019, 10:36 AM

ELOS makes a pretty awesome tank and they have a model at 245 gallons.

Kind of pricey though: https://www.elosamerica.com/store/#!...egory=22919312

03/12/2019, 10:52 AM	#1
TravelerBob Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 32	Choosing the Right Tank Not sure if this is the right forum for my question, but I am trying to find the right "large" tank. I was planning to do a large aquarium in the wall with a fish room behind it. Since I am just getting into the hobby, I thought that this might be pretty daunting and difficult. Instead, my plan is to purchase a large all-in-one or a tank/stand combo. I am considering the Red Sea Reefer 750 which has a combined tank size of 200 gallons including the 40 gal sump. Is this a good option? Are there others that I should be considering? I was really hoping to find something in the 250 - 300 gallon size that comes with a stand and sump. I am definitely open to suggestions here. I will have a small fish room behind the tank, but I am planning to use this more for a mixing station, etc. I really would like to keep the sump/refugium below the tank if possible, but maybe this is not the best option....? Thoughts? Thanks!

03/13/2019, 01:27 PM	#2
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Deciding on a tank size can be challenging, especially when you're new to the hobby. You don't have the experience of having dealt with other tank setups, and you don't know your own aquarium tendencies yet. Here are some thoughts: If you know where you want to put it, measure out how big a tank would fit there. Make sure you have easy access to all areas of the tank and it's equipment. If it is hard to do, it won't get done. You want to have a comfortable place to sit and enjoy your tank. People forget this all the time! The bigger the tank, the more you have to spend on everything else. More lights, bigger pumps, bigger water changes, etc. All in one options are great, especially for the less experienced. This frees you to think more about the fun stuff, like fish. Good luck Bob! __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

03/18/2019, 07:06 AM	#4
Prairie Reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 127 Blog Entries: 1	All in one maybe the best option; however, i can speak from experience that there are just a ton of unknowns you haven’t considered until you’ve “hands on” done water changes, worked on the sump, and even just thought about traffic in the house and where you spend time with the rest of the family. A tank even the size of the Red Sea can easily start to feel like an unwelcome guest and a chore unless the regular maintenance is carefully considered. 1 check your electrical circuits. On a tank this size dedicated breakers aren’t uncommon 2 make sure there is a drain nearby that’s low enough for a siphon. 3 plan for the need to access the back and sides of the tank carefully. 4. Check videos on “bucketless water changes” 5. Have a plan to be able to reach the bottom or walls to scrape/clean. __________________ Old…75gal/20sump mixed, AI Sol SBx2!, mp40w, Tunze 9006, ca++ reactor, GFO/Carbon. New… ??

03/15/2019, 09:33 AM	#3
vadajo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 9	Bob have you ever kept an aquarium before? There are a lot of things about keeping a reef that come up that will annoy you. Its a lot easier to sell a small setup if you dont enjoy the hobby later down the road. Something to consider.

03/18/2019, 10:36 AM	#5
ManhattanReef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 9	ELOS makes a pretty awesome tank and they have a model at 245 gallons. Kind of pricey though: https://www.elosamerica.com/store/#!...egory=22919312