Ideal Tank Size

[Shock and Awe]

Like others have said, the ideal size is what you can afford, your living space limitations as well as your intentions. I agree with many that a 75 gallon would be a good size to start with and a chance to begin to appreciate the hobby.

 

[runninlow]

75 would be the best option. i started with a 29, a month later i went to a 40 gallon and then another month later i went to a 75 and now a 120 fatboy. (thats just saltwater)
went from 75 gallon to 220 gallon for my FW.

get the biggest tank you can get or allowed too..makes it easier in the long run.

 

[Sk8r]

100 gallons. 30 gallon sump. But if you want a tang, or other active fish, 120, 150.

 

[TylerHaworth]

75 or 120

 

[nuxx]

75 or 125

 

[KingTriton1]

Lights are the only real (required) costly thing imo. If this is a fish only tank get a larger tank as the cost for equipment won't vary much.

 

[Sk8r]

You can light-zone a tank, however, and put the stony coral lights in one spot.

But over all, the best advise is to figure what you want to keep, how big it grows (some marine fish offered for sale can exceed 10 inches, fully grown) and what its life requirements are. THEN either modify what you want to keep or buy a tank that can handle it. If you want coral, a skimmer and sump are nearly a requirement. Rock itself can be spendy: you can get, however, one good rock, and use conditioned holey limestone for the rest.

 

[zak.payne]

I decided to go with the Red Sea Reefer 250. It will give me the room for fish and coral but also allow me to put my Kessil lights on it while letting me customize the sump with a skimmer and whatnot down the road.

Thank you all for your input on this!

 

[KingTriton1]

The RS Reefer 250 Its a very limited sump. A HOB will not work with this sump. The SRO 1000int is the only skimmer that I know of that will work but it will still be rather tight.