Should I start with small or large tank?

[ReefMagician]

Hey guys,

I am nearly done fixing up my new house. I have always wanted to have a 6 foot long reef tank as a room divider. I was seriously considering that for my new house's living room. I was thinking a 180 galloon tank with a peninsula profile with all the plumbing done in the basement. I have had it planned out for a while, and am ready to fortify the floor to make this possible.

However, I have never had a reef tank before. I have, in the past, had fresh water. I have spent months looking and learning from Bulk Reef Supply's youtube videos.

I was wondering if instead of making such a large investment with the 180 tank, I should start with something smaller tank in my office. I have a corner that is 18 inches by 26 inches where I could fit a small tank. I was wondering if you guys recommend I do something like this prior to making the very large investment that comes with a 180 galloon reef tank. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[maddmaxx]

most will agree. go as big as you can. the more water volume for a rookie the better. this is better cause more water volume leaves more room for error for the newbie. in smaller tanks if your not experienced or dedicated within the hobby. small changes can have drastic affect on smaller systems. whereas in larger systems. those small changes aren't dramatic cause of the larger water volume. so I would recommend largest tank possible
to start with...

 

[ReefMagician]

most will agree. go as big as you can. the more water volume for a rookie the better. this is better cause more water volume leaves more room for error for the newbie. in smaller tanks if your not experienced or dedicated within the hobby. small changes can have drastic affect on smaller systems. whereas in larger systems. those small changes aren't dramatic cause of the larger water volume. so I would recommend largest tank possible
to start with...

Thank you for your reply. My only fear is, if its not something I want to continue.

Is about 3000~4000 startup for a 180 Gallon tank reasonable?

 

[Dogshowgrl]

Go big! It is way more stable. Even if you decide that Reef keeping is too much (even though it is so worth it) a fowlr (fish only with live rock) is less to manage and will still be quite the piece. If you go big is will feel like less maintenance. I had both, I love this hobby, my small Reef was made into a mantis tank, due to how much effort it took.

 

[gone fishin]

I personally would start with a something like a 40 breeder and learn the ropes. Yes smaller volumes will change quicker but you will gain valuable experience. If after the tank honeymoon period you still are into the hobby then go to the 180g and make the investment. good luck just my 2 cents.

 

[ReefMagician]

I personally would start with a something like a 40 breeder and learn the ropes. Yes smaller volumes will change quicker but you will gain valuable experience. If after the tank honeymoon period you still are into the hobby then go to the 180g and make the investment. good luck just my 2 cents.

I think I might do that. Petco has 1 gallon for $1 up to 55. Might be a good time to grab one.

 

[gone fishin]

I think a 40 is a good starter size to get your feet wet without spending a large sum. If you continue you will find a few smaller tanks kicking around come in handy. Good luck

 

[DJasak]

I agree with Tony, yes larger tank volume is way more forgiving, a smaller tank like a 40B will be more forgiving on ur pockets...unless u do decide to stay in the hobby and decide to upgrade, lol. Good luck, this hobby can be quite rewarding!

 

[ReefMagician]

I'll do that then.

Do you guys have any topics of a step-by-step setup for a 40 gallon reef tank setup? I might use a 29H tank as the sump but I want to make sure I'm not missing anything.

 

[rags111875]

Starting with a 40 may be a challenge to keep things stable. If you go that route, i'd recommend a good temp controller. As others have said, bigger is easier to maintain, but start-up costs are an issue. I would recommend go bigger, but start off with Fish only with Live Rock. And then if you decide to add coral, then you can invest in some of the pricier items.
What is your intention in that regard- SPS, LPS, Fish-only, other?

 

[ReefMagician]

Starting with a 40 may be a challenge to keep things stable. If you go that route, i'd recommend a good temp controller. As others have said, bigger is easier to maintain, but start-up costs are an issue. I would recommend go bigger, but start off with Fish only with Live Rock. And then if you decide to add coral, then you can invest in some of the pricier items.
What is your intention in that regard- SPS, LPS, Fish-only, other?

I'd like something low maintenance that looks great. Most likely LPS. Since I plan to go with a 40, it'll be in my bedroom.

 

[toothybugs]

I have a 40 and will suggest that good equipment for a 40 will also (or very nearly so, depending) run a 75, which factoring in sump volume, gives you ~30-40% more water volume for chemical stability. Then the 75 itself will make a good sump for a 180 or 220, or even a 300

Plus with a 75 you get that much more space to "seed" a bunch of dry base rock in to live rock for your big upgrade.

Just my 40B-owner-going-to-the-biggest-tank-he-can-own-in-the-apartment's two cents.

 

[davehead86]

I have a 20 gallon and the thing is NOT HIGH MANTINENCE. While a larger water volume does provide a higher stability rate i wouldnt jump right into a 180 gallon tank or a sump sysytem in the beginning. A 40 gallon tank would be a great starting tank. But you say that you want LPS and no mantinence, thats contradictory. You should start with a Fish Only (FOWLR) tank and go from there. Corals are very specific and require a lot of work and patience and observations. Fish only provides a great starting point to see if you even want to take care of the fish on this level.

You dont need a sump with the 40 gallon tank. You can get a nice HOB filter if you start with fish only. Go from there, see if you enjoy it, then start buying the fun toys and bigger tanks and equipment.


Then you could use the 40 gallon as a sump if you like it and want to upgrade. No wasted money.

 

[Xxero]

I would agree with starting with a 40g or so, as long as you understand that even a 40 breeder with proper equipment can be a fairly large investment. If you decide that you enjoy the hobby and wish to go larger, then (aside from maybe using the 40 as a sump as others have suggested) you will be purchasing a whole other round of corresponding equipment at a much higher cost (bigger equipment=bigger $$$!).

If it were me, I would start large. If you end up not enjoying things in the end, just sell everything off through your local reef clubs, LFS, or Craigslist. Yes, you will take a small financial loss, but that loss would be much smaller than the amount you spent on a complete set-up for a 40b, only to purge it later down the road.

Have fun and GL! :bigeyes:

 

[sticky polyps]

Tough one. If you do start a small tank and enjoy it as much as some of us do you will want to go bigger. But for your first saltwater tank I would probably recommend starting small and start with used equipment if possible. You will make mistakes on your first tank. Research, experience, and patience... Having experience with the small tank will probably save you money in the long run knowing exactly what you want going into your big tank. Nothing wrong with going straight into a big tank either though.
Sounds like you have done quite a bit of homework. And Ryan on BRS TV does a great job hosting that channel. I've learned so much from watching that channel.
Welcome to the hobby!

 

[ReefMagician]

I would agree with starting with a 40g or so, as long as you understand that even a 40 breeder with proper equipment can be a fairly large investment. If you decide that you enjoy the hobby and wish to go larger, then (aside from maybe using the 40 as a sump as others have suggested) you will be purchasing a whole other round of corresponding equipment at a much higher cost (bigger equipment=bigger $$$!).

If it were me, I would start large. If you end up not enjoying things in the end, just sell everything off through your local reef clubs, LFS, or Craigslist. Yes, you will take a small financial loss, but that loss would be much smaller than the amount you spent on a complete set-up for a 40b, only to purge it later down the road.

Have fun and GL! :bigeyes:

My only thought would be, I could keep the 40 gallon setup as a quarantine tank in my bedroom. The 180 would be in the living room. How much upfront cost do you think for a 40 gallon setup? Do you know of any step-by-step guides of someone building their 40 gallon setup? I'd like to have a sump and such.

Basically my goal is to mimic what I would do on the 180 gallon setup, only smaller.

 

[RocketEngineer]

I've had a range of sizes over the years. A 30g, 75g, 125g, and 40g. Looking back, the 40B is the best starter tank I've come across and one of my favorites even with the 125g as competition. The small size makes it easy to work in but the 18" front-to-back dimension is crazy for such a small tank. It makes doing a reef tank so sweet because you can get away with simple lighting as it's only 16" tall. In my case, my 40B is at work so I don't have a sump and there are a very limited number of devices on the tank. Here is my build thread for that one which should give you some ideas to consider before you go all out on the big system. About a year after I started work on it, its my favorite of the two reefs I maintain despite being the smaller of the two.

Good luck,

 

[jj5]

Maybe start with one of the all in one's like the 28 Gallon JBJ Nano cube that incloudes enough to get started. You can always upgrade if you enjoy it. Starting even with a 40 breeder will require much equipment that may not transfer to a larger tank. That said a larger aquarium is more stable. Goodluck. It's a toigh choice. I started small and have progressed through four tanks in the last 10 - 12 years.

 

[ReefMagician]

Maybe start with one of the all in one's like the 28 Gallon JBJ Nano cube that incloudes enough to get started. You can always upgrade if you enjoy it. Starting even with a 40 breeder will require much equipment that may not transfer to a larger tank. That said a larger aquarium is more stable. Goodluck. It's a toigh choice. I started small and have progressed through four tanks in the last 10 - 12 years.

I was considering doing a kit that has everything I need to get started. Honestly, all the requirements are a bit overwhelming for someone starting out.

 

[Mandarin12]

U should start off with the biggest tanks u can possibly afford as smaller tanks tend to have lots of drastic fluctuations in temp,pH,kh dh,ammonia,and etc are much more prevalent than in large tanks. Quite frankly ii was taught that no saltwater reef can ever survive in a small tank long term