Hello all. I have been wanting to get into building a saltwater tank and am now finding the time and money to execute this dream. My first plan was to Build a Solana 34g but as those are no longer sold and seem to be impossible to find i am looking at building the Biocube 29g HQI. Does anyone have any suggestions or advise on these tank setups. Any info would be welcome so i can try to avoid beginner mistakes and pitfalls.
New Build
- Thread starter SgtKing
- Start date
AmherstReef
New member
As someone who started with a 29G Bio Cube and now has a 130 gallon system. My advice is not to start so small. People often think smaller systems are easier to care for when in reality they can often be more difficult. Larger systems have the ability to absorb changes in parameters much better than a small system.
It doesn't have to be huge, maybe a 40-50 gallon tank with a small sump. Just something with a larger volume of water.
Just my two cents !!
It doesn't have to be huge, maybe a 40-50 gallon tank with a small sump. Just something with a larger volume of water.
Just my two cents !!
EllieSuz
Premium Member
[welcome]
I would start by reading the stickies at the top of the "New to the Hobby" forum. It will help you build a plan. If you have room for a tank larger than the ones you mention in your post, try to find something a bit bigger. Keeping a small tank stable is difficult for an expert so if you can start out with say a 40 gallon breeder tank and a small sump, you'll have more immediate success. You've come to the right place. Once you've done some reading you'll have lots of questions and a lot of folks here eager to help.
I would start by reading the stickies at the top of the "New to the Hobby" forum. It will help you build a plan. If you have room for a tank larger than the ones you mention in your post, try to find something a bit bigger. Keeping a small tank stable is difficult for an expert so if you can start out with say a 40 gallon breeder tank and a small sump, you'll have more immediate success. You've come to the right place. Once you've done some reading you'll have lots of questions and a lot of folks here eager to help.
saltyscotsman
New member
bigger is better
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
welcome
welcome
to the URS Forum on RC
FWIW: 48" long / 75 gallon is the widely accepted "best" size to start with for many reasons
welcome
to the URS Forum on RC
FWIW: 48" long / 75 gallon is the widely accepted "best" size to start with for many reasons
I have a 48x24x24 i got from a friend and i plan to have it drilled and have a over flow installed. As it stands right now though i dont believe my floor will support that much weight and i can't afford to support that large a system yet. eventually i plan on building a stand and maybe a canopy to house the lighting but i like the look of the over the back arm/pendant LED fixtures ive seen
Eastamherstbias
New member
If you can, do a basement sump. It is a little more work at the beginning but you can move the messy parts of a setup to the basement and make your life easier. Also you can have the sump connect to a small frag tank as well
jacksonpt
New member
2 things jump out at me...
1) read up on some of the common upgrades to these types of tanks. Pumps, overflows, lighting, etc. Most of them are well worth it.
2) any time you find yourself deciding between cost and benefit, always wait until you have the money to do it right. EVERY corner I've ever cut I've, at some point, had to go back and do right. In the end, it costs more. Take your time and do it right the first time around.
jacksonpt
New member
I don't know how correct this is (hopefully someone else can weigh in), but think about it logically.
Stand with your feet together. However much you weigh, that's that much weight on a 1 square foot area, or there abouts.
Now think about the tank. It holds 120 gallons, which weighs ~960lbs. Add in a little weight for the tank, stand, accessories, etc... let's be generous and say the whole system weighs 1500lbs. That's 1500lbs over a 8 square foot area, which is a little under 200lbs per square foot (if my math is right)... about the same as an average adult male standing with their feet together.
You know your floors better than we do, but I think people worry too much about the weight of fish tanks.
Eastamherstbias
New member
My thoughts: Get the biggest system you can afford. Get an apex with switches to shut the system off before it over flows along with a water sensor to shut it off when water is detected on your floor and put the sump in the basement. Go LED.
teamdulski
The Saltiest!
A 29 gallon HQI biocube is a great way to start. Of course you will upgrade, everyone does. Just read up on the basic mods for it and off you go.
