How should i invest in my first reef tank?

[DominicOv]

Hello everyone,
I am very excited to be able to start my first reef tank but i'm a little unsure on how to proceed with the investment. I already have a 240L juwel aquarium with a 4x54w t5 fixture and it would cost me @ 3000$ at first to get things started. The problem is that it has no sump but i am able to invest in quality equipment ( 2 x maxspect gyres, 6 stage ro unit,a tunze 9012 dc skimmer etc.). If i go towards the Red Sea reefer with the same investment i would have to go with the reefer 170 which is much smaller and i will be limited in what i could buy as equipment and livestock and i would be forced to buy a new fixture.

Should i stay with my current tank or go for the smaller red sea? I have no real experience with salt water tanks and it would be nice to hear how someone else would start a reef tank with @ 3000$.

 

[strikeratt]

Personally, with $3000 I'd find the best deal on a really nice used setup. Then take the biggest one I can find an set that up.

My first reef tank was a 29g Walmart purchase I had a hang on back filter and some other "garbage". Honestly, that thing ran for years with no issue.

What it's going to come down to is what you would like. I couldn't live without a sump again for example. It's a much cleaner look in my opinion. Not to mention it's a great place to do water changes and such. If I were forced to have anything different, it would have to be something like a biocube where everything fits in the back.

 

[Vbwjjeep]

I'm sitting at about 1750-2000 right now in my 125gallon and all I need is a protein skimmer and it's good for fish. Bought everything new. I don't know pricing where you are at but the tank was 400 stand 275 then 110 pounds of dry rock and 20 pounds of live rock. Not sure how big you were looking for but 3k I think you could do a larger tank.

 

[joe_himself]

Look into the innovative marine all in one tanks,

 

[Valentini89]

I'm in the process of putting together a 150 gallon 4ft, but the tank is custom so that's over $1200 of it and the rest, well let's just say I'm sitting around $4700 total.