Hello: I have always dreamed of having a saltwater reef aquarium. I avoided it because I thought that they were very difficult and time consuming to have. I have been reading on- line and various forums and I’m beginning to think that my fears and beliefs may be wrong. I’m going to take my time and learn as much as I can so I can get it right. I do not want to waste money and want to buy quality equipment so that I can create the best environment for success. Please provide me with any advice on the best books and equipment. I’m trying to decide if it would be best to start with a 75 to 100 gallon? I do not want to replace in a few years. I would appreciate any help and advice.
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- Thread starter Suma
- Start date
My advice on tank size is to start with the largest aquarium you can afford and have room for. The larger the water volume, the less chance for water parameter swings. BUT, keep in mind the larger the tank, the more you’ll likely spend on pumps, heaters, filters, lights, etc.
So, first, I would decide what you want to keep.
- Fish only (“FO”)
- Fish only with love rock (“FOWLR”)
- Reef
If reef, what do you want to keep?
- soft corals
- LPS corals
- SPS corals
- anemones
- Tridacna clams
- other inverts
- a combination of the above
If you can answer those items, we can better help and guide you.
Also, keep in mind, there are many different ways to be successful in this hobby. There is no single correct way to be successful. What works perfectly for one person may be disaster for another.
Finally, take your time, go slow, nothing good happens fast in this hobby.
So, first, I would decide what you want to keep.
- Fish only (“FO”)
- Fish only with love rock (“FOWLR”)
- Reef
If reef, what do you want to keep?
- soft corals
- LPS corals
- SPS corals
- anemones
- Tridacna clams
- other inverts
- a combination of the above
If you can answer those items, we can better help and guide you.
Also, keep in mind, there are many different ways to be successful in this hobby. There is no single correct way to be successful. What works perfectly for one person may be disaster for another.
Finally, take your time, go slow, nothing good happens fast in this hobby.
Bigger is better for tank size if you have a really big budget. Do all of your research now on cost of equipment, sand, live rock, fish, etc. to figure out what size you can accommodate.
As a freshwater guy who jumped into reefing several years ago, I think the general guideline of “bigger is better” needs to come with a caveat for reef tanks, because everything, including fish, corals, other livestock, is so much more expensive for saltwater tanks. You’ll also need more, very expensive equipment than you do for a typical freshwater tank.
You have to be really realistic about your startup and ongoing budget.
As a freshwater guy who jumped into reefing several years ago, I think the general guideline of “bigger is better” needs to come with a caveat for reef tanks, because everything, including fish, corals, other livestock, is so much more expensive for saltwater tanks. You’ll also need more, very expensive equipment than you do for a typical freshwater tank.
You have to be really realistic about your startup and ongoing budget.
