Should I start with small or large tank?

[Xxero]

How much upfront cost do you think for a 40 gallon setup? I purchased everything new from the start with this 40b, and I have purposefully tried my best to go the cheapest route possible without substituting too much quality in regards to basic equipment. Without including any livestock purchases, I have easily spent $1500-$2000 and probably being closer to the $2000 mark.

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. There's quite a few 40b threads here on RC. (RocketEngineer has a good one :thumbsup:. I would just use the search function for 40b and get a collection of ideas.

Basically my goal is to mimic what I would do on the 180 gallon setup, only smaller. Exactly. And it's a great idea. I guess I'm just playing Devil's advocate here because I've been on both sides. My last ride on the "Reef Train" started with a 55g. Once I had everything up and running on that one, I was frustrated with my livestock limitations, so that led to a 75g with the 55 turning into the sump. Well that of course escalated into a 150g RR, etc. etc. etc.! I probably spent upwards of $10,000 that year going from a 55 to 75 to 150, and in hindsight I feel that I should have just started with the 150g from the start.

I also agree with RocketEngineer in regards to the 40b's dimensions. It's a very fun tank to play with. :bigeyes:

 

[ca1ore]

My only fear is, if its not something I want to continue.

Well, that's the rub, isn't it .... and only something really you can judge. If you end up a reefing long-timer than avoiding upgrade iterations will save you money; if you give up quickly, then going big right away will mean more of a loss on any subsequent sale. Used tanks (even lightly used) quickly lose their value.

I'd start with something smaller (30L or 40B) that you can reuse as a QT. Once you have a sense that you are going to stick it out, then go big and avoid any interim steps.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

I was planning on something small to start, then everything I read said "Bigger is better". My plans went from a 10G (which I had on hand) to a 29, then 40B, until eventually deciding to get the 75G - drilled to support a sump. Yes, all the requirements ARE Overwhelming. But honestly, it sounds to me like you've got what you need to succeed. You're doing your research, taking your time, asking questions... and appear to have the patience that is absolutely necessary.

Starting with the 40B, mimicking your intentions for the 180, sounds like a fantastic idea to me. Especially since you can keep that when you set up the 180... and have two! :lolspin: (Or you know, use it for QT...)

 

[kmbyrnes]

Don't start small. I did and it just made me buy bigger faster.
An all in one can be a good starting point if you are unsure, because it gives you matched equipment that will help you be successful.
But separate pieces will allow you to re-use some components when you eventually go bigger.

 

[Fishmas]

I am setting up my first reef tank now. I would not go any smaller then 100gal. If you are building it in to your wall *(like I did) then smaller would be waste of time. Set up the room behind the built in tank with all that you need. Put an outlet up high convenient for lighting, and a couple down low for pumps and heaters and such. Put schluter floor system in under tile and floor drain like for a shower stall. Put in a sink and plumb in the adapter to connect to RODI system. When you build your tank dont go too deep. If you want to go deeper then say 30" your budget will be in jeopardy as you will need stadium type lights to grow corals at that depth. FOWLR tank can be deeper then a reef tank for this reason. Budget sounds good otherwise. It should get you higher end equipment for the most part. Buy your lighting last. You will most likely have an extensive cycle time (2-3 months) before fish and longer for corals. Start with the basic T5 type lights you will need for lighting up tank to see and show off corrals and add the high end LED fixtures you will need to grow corals when you are ready. This is the biggest equipment expenditure and time to do your homework after tank set up is needed to make best decision. Time to shop helps once you know what you want you can then keep eye for deals
I went with dry rock. Easy to work with and gives you time to study your rock formations and rearrange. Dry rock (I used Marco rock) is just as good as live rock (half the price) and will become live rock in a few short months. If you can wait I think this is the better way. You will establish your own biosystem and are not going to start with any potential problems from pathogens or other creatures emerging in your tank from someone else's rock

I wish I went bigger already. IF space not an issue go 6' long and 24 wide and at least 24 deep. This would give you a lot of livestock options as some fish need space to spread out and territorial creatures can stake out a safe home. Remember Dory from "Nemo" will be size of dinner plate when mature. Good luck.

 

[RayAllen3422]

I started with a 25 gallon tank and quickly upgraded to a 175 gallon tank when I first started. The fish options are very limited in a small tank.

 

[Mrramsey]

I'll throw in my $.02 as well.

Define low maintenance? That can mean different things to different people based on their commitment level.

The easiest low maintenance route would be Fresh Water. I'm sure that not what you want. A FOWLR tank is the next bet on a low maintenance lower cost start up but... you have to consider what type of live stock you really want especially if you want to add corals later. You want them to be compatible.

My first and only saltwater tank is a 48x24x24 120 gallon tank. I have a mixed reef of fish and mostly soft corals. The 48" footprint lends itself to very economical equipment choices while still having a big tank feel. Longer tanks will require more lighting etc and more $$. I bought some of my equipment used, had a few things from my freshwater days that were re-purposed. The lights were the most expensive component.

My tank is stocked very light clean up crew, yellow tang, 2 o. clowns, one blue damsel (hitchhiker), one emerald crab, one banded coral shrimp. I do a 10% WC once a month (2 hours), clean the glass once a week(5 mins), feed once a day (10 mins), clean the skimmer once a week (15 mins), make RODI water once every 3 weeks (no real time on my part), Change GFO and Carbon once a month (30 mins).There are more tasks like cleaning filter socks, powerheads, pumps etc but they are on an as needed basis.

I consider my tank to be fairly low maintenance. There is a link in my sig if you want to look at my build. Good luck!

 

[Virtual Balboa]

I agree that the 40 breeder would be a great choice. When I set up my tank a little over a year ago I bought a 29 because someone was supposed to be giving me a stand for a 29. Well that never did end up happening and the thing I like the least about my tank is that the width only being 12" made it very difficult to aquascape. I have very little room to work with. I've been thinking about buying a 40 breeder and drilling it for an overflow then using a 20 long as a sump. I don't like looking at all the equipment in and on the back of my sumpless tank. I'd go bigger if I could but due to space constraints I can't do that. Of course I would have never known how I was going to feel about keeping a reef tank until I did it for a while. Now I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more coral.

 

[SaltyBeagle]

go big

 

[uncleL]

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.

 

[uncleL]

I have 4 Tanks 180g, 90g, 75g and 20g all forr under $1600.00 used yes! Lol but if you shop around you can find complete setups cheap!!$$ Just starting I would go with a 75-90g and when you upgrade to the 180 you will have a sump and QT already...... Where are you located?

 

[chimmike]

The bigger you go with, the less likely a small mistake will make a massive change in the water quality.

I had a 29g biocube and could not keep the temp low and keep it algae free no matter what I did, and I was NOT going to run a chiller on it....but my larger tank at the time (65g) was algae-free.

 

[ReefMagician]

I have 4 Tanks 180g, 90g, 75g and 20g all forr under $1600.00 used yes! Lol but if you shop around you can find complete setups cheap!!$$ Just starting I would go with a 75-90g and when you upgrade to the 180 you will have a sump and QT already...... Where are you located?

I'm located in MA. It would be amazing if a fellow reefer would show me the ropes.